Gratitude Through Hard Times

At some point in our lives, most of us will be on a "true" team, a team where you cannot succeed without the other individuals on your team succeeding. Whether it's sports, a musical performance, an executive team, or a theatrical production, our ability to work with others is beyond critical.

One of the tried and true ways to see success for your team is to have an outward-facing compass, where you care for those around you more than your own individual gain.

Dave Welling knows how vital it is to have an outward-facing compass.

Dave joined Mercer Advisors in 2017 as CEO. In his role as CEO, he is responsible for leading the business and helping Mercer achieve its dual purpose of providing outstanding service to its clients and being an employer of choice for financial advisory professionals. He brings over 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry including leading businesses through significant growth and evolution.  In 2019, Dave was named the independent RIA CEO of the Year by wealthmanagement.com and is a founding CEO member of Colorado Inclusive Economy.

Most recently, he was Managing Director and Co- General Manager of SS&C Advent, a leading provider of technology and operational support to advisors and  investment managers. His past professional experiences include executive leadership roles as Black Diamond Performance Reporting and Charles Schwab as well as management consulting for Bain & Company. Dave graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in economics, physics and creative writing and he earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.  Dave lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two teenage children who enjoy hiking, skiing and exploring the beauty of Colorado together.

In this episode, Dave genuinely shares about life and his success as a team leader.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Dave giving credit and thanks to a former colleague, Melanie (4:26)
• Remaining loyal through turbulent times (11:53)
• Developing leadership capabilities (15:25)
• What it takes to have a successful acquisition (22:04)
• The importance of refreshing indifference (28:22)
• Not letting regret and fear rob us of today (33:19)
• Authentically connecting with others (38:36)
• Dave's message to his mom (43:56)

Links:

• Connect with Dave on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwelling/
• Mercer Advisors - https://www.merceradvisors.com

Be grateful for what you have, but be fearless for what you want. Life can be scary and uncertain, but instead of letting fear get in the way, we can use it to help us reach success. By cultivating gratitude and fearlessly pursuing your goals, you can design the life of your dreams.

Rebecca Minkoff knows just how impactful being fearless can be.

An industry leader in accessible luxury handbags, accessories, footwear and apparel, Rebecca Minkoff’s modern bohemian designs are inspired by strong, confident and powerful women who embody the effortless, free-spirited lifestyle.

After developing an affinity for design while in the costume department in high school, Rebecca Minkoff moved to New York City at age 18 to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

In 2001, Rebecca designed a version of the “I Love New York” t-shirt as part of a five-piece capsule collection, which appeared on The Tonight Show and became an overnight sensation.

In 2005, Rebecca designed her first handbag, which she dubbed the “Morning After Bag,” a.k.a. the “M.A.B.” This iconic bag ignited Rebecca’s career as a handbag designer and inspired the brands expansion into a lifestyle brand in the years to come. Rebecca’s success was further accelerated by the support of her brother, the company’s CEO and co-founder, Uri Minkoff, who helped usher in and pioneer the company’s industry-leading innovations with technology and fashion.

After four years of designing statement-making handbags and accessories with her trademark leathers, studs and hardware, Rebecca returned to her roots of apparel design and introduced her first ready-to-wear collection in 2009.

Today, Rebecca Minkoff is a global brand with a wide range of apparel, handbags, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, eyewear, and fragrance.

In this episode, Rebecca shares passionately about her new book, Fearless, and what it takes to become successful.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Rebecca giving credit and thanks to her pre-K teacher (3:21)
• Learning tough life lessons (5:26)
• How to process resentment (8:03)
• Purpose over financial success (10:49)
• Pivoting and following a new pursuit (15:16)
• Maintaining a posture of otherness (17:33)
• Using gratitude to develop the psychological safety needed for innovation (19:49)
• Rebecca’s love language (22:02)
• Coming to terms with rock bottom (25:21)
• Creating a life by design (27:36)
• Why Rebecca wrote her book Fearless (30:51)
• Rebecca’s message to her pre-K teacher (34:36)

Links:

• Fearless - https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Unlocking-Creativity-Courage-Success-ebook/dp/B08NHWWNJ3
• Rebecca Minkoff - https://www.rebeccaminkoff.com

Genuine human connection can be hard to come by these days. Long hours spent working remotely or even in the office can make it hard to find the time or space to connect with others.

But human connection is necessary to make a lasting impact on others. Empowering people and helping them navigate life's path requires human connection, a deeper understanding of the who and why of a person.

Eric Kittner knows just how crucial human connection is to empower people and help them navigate life's path.

As CEO and Chairman of the Board for Moneta, Eric Kittner ushers in the next generation of leadership. After just two years in the role, he has led the firm through their first expansion market launch and also their first RIA merger. During this time the firm has grown to $24 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM), and was ranked by Barron’s in the Top 5 in the nation among independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) for the last two years.

Eric has also continued the firm’s commitment to growth of their employees, as well as the community. He has continued the culture of making employees’ well-being a priority, as evidenced by their continued streak of nominations as a Best Place to Work. He also asks employees to give back to their communities, initiating an employee Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policy of paid leave.

In this episode, Eric shares key stories and insights from his life as a leader.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Eric giving credit and thanks to his parents (3:21)
• Decision making as a parent (4:39)
• Evolving into your best self (8:32)
• Procrastination is not laziness or thoughtlessness (14:36)
• Allowing decisions to percolate (16:45)
• The ritual of sharing a meal as irreplaceable (24:56)
• Empowering people and helping them navigate their life's path (28:23)
• Having an internal podcast to elevate the voices of your team (31:33)
• Eric's message to his parents (36:08)

Links:

• Connect with Eric on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickittner/
• Moneta Group - https://monetagroup.com

Wisdom - we all want it, but so few of us reach it before our time ends.

Wisdom comes from experiencing things around you. Being wise does not necessarily mean you're the most intelligent person in the room; it means you're the most curious, a lifelong learner.

By being committed to learning and experiencing new things, you understand that there are no wrong turns, just lefts or rights with some potholes along the way. Because the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know.

Brent Brodeski embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner.

Brent is the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Advisor, and Member Owner of Savant Wealth Management. He has been involved in the financial services industry since 1988. Brent earned a bachelor of science degree in finance and economics and a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Northern Illinois University.

Brent is a co-founder and past president of Zero Alpha Group (ZAG), an industry association. He is also a co-founder of the Alliance for RIAs (aRIA), a prestigious industry group that together manages nearly $50 billion. He was a long-term participant in Vistage (previously known as TEC) and The Strategic Coach. He is currently a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and serves on the boards of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and the Rock Valley College Foundation.

Brent was named by Chicago magazine as the #1 independent financial advisor for the Chicago area in 2009 and one of the nation's top professional advisors by J.K. Lasser. He represented Savant for the seventh year on Barron's list of the "Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors" in the country and in 2017 was ranked by Forbes as #40 on their top 250 wealth advisors list. From 1997 until the survey ended in 2008, Brent appeared on Robb Report Worth magazine's "The Nation's 100 Most Exclusive Wealth Advisors" list. In 2011, Brent was named the nation's 10th "Most Experienced Independent Financial Advisor" by Bloomberg Businessweek. Brent was named "one of the 17 people advisors should watch in 2017" by Financial Planning magazine. He is a regular columnist for Financial Planning magazine, is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, and is recurrently featured in local, industry, and national media, including the Wall Street Journal and Barron's.

In this episode, Brent shares the wisdom he's gained as a lifelong learner.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Brent giving credit and thanks to his co-founder of Savant, Tom (2:40)
• What being a life long learner means (6:55)
• Learning from nature (12:34)
• Leading through a crisis (16:18)
• Increasing social well-being (24:26)
• The importance of shared success (28:38)
• Investing in your community (35:15)
• Brent's message to Tom, his co-founder (42:38)

Links:

• Connect with Brent on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-brodeski-b760651/
• Savant Wealth Management - https://savantwealth.com

In our economically driven world, businesses have problems, and people have pains, usually because of business problems.

Selling and marketing are all about gaining an understanding of these problems and pains. Is the problem or pain something that your business can help with, or do you know someone who can assist somehow? Because at the end of the day, it all comes down to how we can be helpful.

Nikole Rose knows the value of providing people and businesses with the help they deserve.

Nikole is President & COO at Mojo Media Labs, a Digital Agency focusing on our clients revenue growth. Mojo Media Labs is a Diamond Agency Partner with HubSpot and has received multiple accolades such as Inc Best Workplaces, Inc Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, and most recently Forbes 25 Small Giants of 2020.

Prior to joining her husband, Mike Rose, CEO at Mojo Media Labs, Nikole ran a successful marketing firm which was sold in 2016.

Nikole's passion is coaching those around her to build their own skill sets in order to enrich their lives and move the company forward. She's obsessed with building a great culture and has spearheaded the implementation of complex culture-building initiatives such as Open Book Management (OBM) and Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE).

In this episode, Nikole shares with us fundamental business and life lessons.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Nikole giving credit and thanks to her college professor, Dr. Weeks (3:49)
• The love of sales being the love of persuasion, understanding, and connection (8:27)
• Listening and learning from both sides (10:36)
• Using history to communicate (14:53)
• How Mojo reacted to the pandemic (17:40)
• Keeping the innovative and creative spirit alive (28:03)
• Staying small while growing large (32:24)
• Nikole's message to Dr. Weeks (37:48)

Links:

• Connect with Nikole on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolerose/
• Mojo Media Labs - https://www.mojomedialabs.com

Learning is not about the outcome, like getting a good grade on your final. Learning is about the journey, the feeling you get when something finally makes sense, the moments of connection you have when studying with friends, the thrill of teaching a concept to another person. Learning is not a perfect process, it's messy and challenging, but it's necessary to adapt to failure or adversity.

Mattan Griffel is an expert on the importance of learning as a journey, not an outcome.

In his new book, "Python for MBA's", Mattan instills the mental models needed not only to code, but to look at the world with an artist's eye and a craftsman's heart.

Mattan is an award-winning faculty member at Columbia Business School, author of Python for MBAs, and two-time Y Combinator-backed entrepreneur. He is co-founder and COO of Ophelia, a company that helps people quit opioids without having to go to rehab. Mattan is also an Innovation Fellow at the Lang Center for Entrepreneurship and was selected as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Education. Mattan advises companies on innovation and technology and has worked with companies like Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, Condé Nast, American Express, NYSE, and JPMorgan. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, BusinessWeek, and the MIT Technology Review. Mattan studied Philosophy and Finance at New York University and wrote his thesis on the metaphysics of consciousness under David Chalmers and Ned Block.

In this episode, Mattan and Chris dive philosophically deep into Python, life, and learning.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Mattan giving credit and thanks to his middle school teacher (3:22)
• Teaching things you love (6:54)
• Developing critical thinking (11:01)
• Approaches to learning (17:57)
• Why coding is so essential (23:25)
• The technological revolution that is coming (27:18)
• Putting feelings first with code (29:41)
• Giving people the permission to fail (33:29)
• Python helping people have more integrity (35:14)
• What's next for Mattan (42:10)

Links:

• Connect with Mattan on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattangriffel/
• Python for MBAs - https://www.amazon.com/Python-MBAs-Mattan-Griffel/dp/0231193939
• Ophelia - https://ophelia.com

We all have the opportunity to take what life throws us and make the most out of it by seeing obstacles as a stepping stone and a growth opportunity.

To capitalize on this opportunity, we have to know deep down that que sera, sera, which means whatever will be, will be.

Allie Felix has used the mantra, que sera, sera to fuel growth throughout her entire life.

Allie is Embarc Collective’s VP of Platform, forging connections across startup founders, partner organizations, and investors between Tampa Bay and the broader tech ecosystem. Before boomeranging back to Tampa Bay, Allie led community for enterprise tech venture capital firm Work-Bench and DD bdusiness development for women's angel investing network 37 Angels in New York City. She CC started her career in marketing and partnerships for Tim Draper’s pre-accelerator program in San Francisco, Draper University. She is a graduate of Smith College and currently serves as a Venture Partner for Republic and Scout for bloom equity.

In this episode, Allie teaches us valuable life lessons by digging deep into her past using gratitude.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Allie giving credit and thanks to Brown University (2:42)
• Overcoming rejection (6:24)
• Developing the discipline to maintain a positive perspective (10:14)
• How impactful que sera, sera is (12:37)
• Managing the balance between success and struggle (19:27)
• Using gratitude to narrow the gap between a traumatic event and overcoming it (22:39)
• What's next for Allie (24:31)
• Allie's message to Brown University (26:27)

Links:

• Connect with Allie on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliefelix/
• Embarc Collective - https://www.embarccollective.com

Negativity seems to surround us constantly. Whether it's on social media, the news, or at work, everywhere we look there seems to be negativity, anger, or sadness.

But we can choose whether we take on that negativity or not. Our attitude comes from how we look at life. We only get one life, so smile, stop and smell the roses, and enjoy every bit of it. Bring love to others through generosity. Because that's what our world needs the most right now, love and kindness.

Reneé Bemis knows just how powerful some love and kindness can be.

Reneé grew up in Palm Beach, Florida, playing golf, developing a drive that allowed her to compete with the very best golfers and go on to receive a full scholarship to play golf in college. That drive took her as an amateur to several professional tournaments and ultimately the US Open twice. Then, Reneé switched directions, translating her passion to something new: art. An accomplished sculptor, she has earned recognition and numerous awards throughout the United States. Utilizing the ancient lost wax method, her creations are initially created in clay, then cast in bronze. She is also the President of the Society of Animal Artists.

Together with her husband, Brian, she simultaneously runs Driftless Glen Distillery, an award-winning craft distillery in Baraboo, WI. They are located at the edge of the Driftless Area, a unique topographical part of the state that was missed by the last glaciation 15,000 years ago and that now has rugged hills, deep river valleys, rich prairies, and abundant limestone. This local terroir offers not only prime conditions to grow grains, but also a natural sandstone aquifer, allowing Driftless Glen to source grain and water locally and produce their whiskey 100% grain-to-glass. In addition to their bourbon and rye, they have a full range of products that include brandy, vodka, and gin. Driftless Glen takes pride in their double-distillation process that includes a 10,000 pound, 44-ft tall column still along with their one-of-a-kind pot still. Most recently awarded two double gold medals by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and rated by Whisky Advocate with a "90" for their Bourbon Whiskey, the company has been named "Wisconsin Distillery of the Year" by New York International Spirits Competition and shared as a "Top Ten US Spirits Brand You Must Try" by London Spirits Competition. From golf to art, and all the way to craft spirits, share Reneé's dream and "Taste the American Spirit."

In this episode, Reneé passionately shares with us how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Reneé giving credit and thanks to her little brother (3:00)
• Acknowledging people on a consistent basis (4:48)
• Values derived from adversity (8:56)
• Eliminating entitlement (11:02)
• Teaching others to enhance your own learning (12:04)
• Paying it forward to younger generations (15:57)
• Overcoming challenges during the pandemic (18:54)
• How to help others (26:17)
• Becoming more positive (33:50)

Links:

• Driftless Glen - https://driftlessglen.com
• Sculptures by Reneé - https://reneebemis.com

Setbacks can seem like the end of the world. It can feel as if all your progress is gone, and you're not sure if it's work persevering.

But when you face adversity in the difficult situations that come up in life, use it as an opportunity to do better for yourself and other people because most setbacks turn into the opportunity of a lifetime.

David Haskins especially knows how powerful a setback can be in order to set up for a comeback.

David is the Founder & CEO of Haskins & Company. He got his start in Law Firm Marketing a decade ago, helping David Aylor launch his practice. Since then, he has worked with over 100 law firms creating and implementing smart, aggressive growth strategies. Conferences and CLE's frequently ask him to share his wealth of knowledge and experience about law firm marketing.

In this episode, David shares about how to preserve and pivot in the most unexpected of situations.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• David giving credit and thanks to his Grandfather, Solomon (3:13)
• How COVID completely changed priorities for the better (8:30)
• The value of taking yourself out of the equation (18:06)
• How impactful unexpected events can be (25:32)
• David's life advice to his twin daughters (31:24)

Links:

• Connect with David on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/skinnysc/
• Haskins & Company - https://haskins.co

Networking - it's something we all have to do but most of the time don't want to do. Networking can often feel awkward, cold, and transactional. This is especially true with the advancement of social media platforms like Linkedin.

But building relationships with others doesn't and shouldn't have to be this way. As social creatures, we crave genuine connection that leads to authentic relationships. But to build real and meaningful contacts, we need to go back to basics by tapping into our humanity and learning to be more intentional and authentic.

Susan McPherson is an expert on the ins and outs of the lost art of connecting. This is where the transactional nature of networking ends, and the meaningful creation on relationships begins.

Susan is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact, providing storytelling, partnership creation and visibility to corporations, NGOs and social enterprises. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships. Susan has 25+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Inspirefest/Dublin, BSR, Center for Corporate Citizenship's Annual Summit, DLD and Techonomy., and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Currently, Susan invests in, and advises women-led technology start-ups, including iFundWomen, Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical, Arlo Skye, Giapenta and The Muse.  She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and the Lower Eastside Girls Club, and serves on the advisory board of both The List and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits, including Girls Who Code, Ocean Collective, She’s The First, and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and has received numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. She resides in Brooklyn.

In this episode, Susan dives deep into the concepts of her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Susan giving credit and thanks to her 5th grade teacher (3:02)
• How listening and question asking can set you apart (6:49)
• Serving others before yourself (12:22)
• Finding out what you have to offer (15:54)
• Solving the insecurity of being left out (18:39)
• The first step to gathering people (21:41)
• Bringing people together around a particular issue (22:57)
• The importance of connecting people (25:34)
• Employees having time off to volunteer (29:11)
• How meaningfully connecting with others leads to efficiency (31:27)
• The power of reconnecting with people (33:41)
• Susan's love language (37:23)
• Susan's message to her 5th grade teacher (39:57)

Links:

• Connect with Susan on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/
• The Lost Art of Connecting - https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Art-Connecting-Meaningful-Relationships-ebook-dp-B08JZFYX46/dp/B08JZFYX46/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1601645264
• Julian Treasure's TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better