How I Broke That

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Jasminka Criley shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Yugoslavia to becoming a prominent figure in medical research and education in America. She discusses her determination to enter the medical field, her transition to cancer research, and her eventual move to California, where she founded Indelible Learning, an organization focused on enhancing education for gifted children. Jasminka also highlights the creation of Election Lab Online, a program aimed at improving understanding of the Electoral College through authentic learning experiences. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of resilience, critical thinking, and the impact of education on personal and societal growth.

Takeaways

• A doctor in Croatia? A teacher in America? Discover how Jasminka defied expectations and forged her own path to success.
• The American Dream isn't always easy. Hear how Jasminka overcame adversity to build a better life for herself and her family.
• Cancer research can change the world – and a life. Find out how this experience sparked Jasminka's passion for education.
• Tired of cookie-cutter schools? Jasminka was too. Learn how she created "Indelible Learning" to revolutionize education.
• Want to raise kids who are curious and engaged? Jasminka's parenting secrets will transform your family's learning journey.
• The Electoral College is more than just confusing. Jasminka exposes the hidden flaws that could be undermining democracy.
• Memorization is dead. Discover why authentic learning is the key to unlocking your child's true potential.
• Life throws curveballs. Learn how resilience helped Jasminka overcome challenges and achieve her dreams.
• Forget rote learning. Jasminka reveals why critical thinking is the most important skill for the 21st century.
• Education isn't a solo act. Find out why community involvement is crucial to creating a thriving learning environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jasminka Criley, MD

01:25 Journey from Yugoslavia to Medical School

04:01 The Move to America and Cancer Research

08:22 Transitioning from Research to Clinical Practice

11:36 Founding Indelible Learning

13:59 The Creation of Election Lab Online

22:02 The Importance of Authentic Learning

Summary

In this conversation, Michael Fay shares his journey from working at Subway during high school to becoming a successful multi-unit franchise owner. He discusses the importance of early experiences in retail, the lessons learned from various companies like Blockbuster and frozen yogurt businesses, and the significance of company culture and direct feedback. Michael emphasizes the value of following established systems, the importance of building a strong team, and his unique approach to turning around struggling restaurants. The conversation highlights the collaborative relationship between Michael and Josh, showcasing their mutual respect and shared experiences in business.

Takeaways

• Uncover the surprising life lessons hidden behind the counter of your local Subway that could unlock your own success story.
• Master the art of feedback and uncomfortable conversations to catapult your career to new heights.
• Dive into the high-stakes world of franchise ownership, where one wrong move could cost you everything.
• Uncover the surprising truth about employee happiness and why a thriving company culture is the ultimate competitive advantage.
• See how one entrepreneur used creativity to dominate the frozen yogurt scene in a battle for brain freeze.
• Discover the essential policies and training programs that separate successful companies from those that crumble under pressure.
• Meet the operational masterminds who keep the gears turning behind the scenes and empower businesses to reach their full potential.
• Explore restaurants' strategies to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a cutthroat industry.
• Discover the secrets behind Subway's global domination and whether their proven playbook can be replicated for success in any industry.
• Learn how creating a family-like environment can foster unwavering loyalty and commitment in your team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michael Fay

02:51 Early Lessons at Subway

08:21 Company Culture Insights from Blockbuster

10:30 Innovating in the Frozen Yogurt Business

14:04 The Flex Academies Experience

16:53 The Subway Journey Begins

20:57 The Turnaround Guy Philosophy

23:44 The Importance of Following the Subway Playbook

26:34 Building a Strong Team Culture

30:46 Creating a Family-Like Environment

34:51 Conclusion and Reflections

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Summary

In this conversation, Devin Schain shares his journey from personal challenges, including his parents' divorce, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Shalom Learning. He discusses the importance of resilience, the lessons learned from his early business ventures, and how he adapted to create an innovative online Hebrew school that addresses the needs of modern Jewish families. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent events on the Jewish community and the importance of education in fostering connection and understanding.

Takeaways

• Devin's journey as an entrepreneur has been a rollercoaster ride, teaching him that resilience and adaptability are the keys to survival in the ever-changing world of education.
• Devin's childhood wasn't all sunshine and rainbows; a major family upheaval forced him to grow up fast and ignited a fire in him to prove himself.
• Before Shalom Learning, Devin was already a young hustler with a string of ventures—some brilliant, some busts, and one that almost landed him in hot water with the authorities!
• Frustrated with outdated Hebrew education, Devin's radical idea for improvement was met with resistance and skepticism.
• Devin discovered that passionate teachers are the secret weapon of any successful program, but finding and keeping them would be his biggest challenge yet.
• Forget stuffy classrooms and dusty textbooks; Devin had a vision for 21st-century learning that would blow your mind, but could he convince others to embrace it?
• Just when Shalom Learning was hitting its stride, disaster struck!
• Devin knew Jewish education wasn't just about textbooks; building a vibrant community with diverse needs would be a delicate balancing act.
• Shalom Learning isn't just about teaching Hebrew; it's about instilling a love of Jewish heritage in a world of distractions.
• Shalom Learning has exploded in popularity from humble beginnings, but with rapid growth comes new challenges and unexpected growing pains.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Life Challenges

09:59 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

20:09 The Birth of Shalom Learning

29:50 Adapting to a Changing World

 Want more help getting leads and sales?

👉✨ Book a FREE strategy call with me. Together we'll look at your entire lead gen system and see where you need to focus to start bringing in high-quality, high-converting leads!

Brindala Mallappa has always been surrounded by extremely smart, strong, and successful women. Her mother was one of seven children – all women – and all well-educated at a time in India when women were not given many chances to learn. 

But - a family full of women as role models did not mean that life was going to be easy in India or the United States for Brindala. 

By watching our show about this smart woman with sage advice, you’ll learn about:

• How Brindala forged her own career as a thriving business owner all while building a family in America;

• Why her company of about 1,000 employees values each and every member of their team - and especially their mental health; 

• How she merged her passion for women’s safety and technology to create GuardOn, her attempt to make the world a safer place for everybody.

Breakers band together as we talk to this exciting and experienced entrepreneur Brindala Mallappa.

David Conelias has a, “try it and see,” approach to life.  From building and making his own skis to sell, to researching beer and meat products to produce to finally landing in the education space after a successful career as an engineer, it’s David’s adventurous spirit and grounded approach to business ventures that has made his company, Milestone C established in 2017 what it is today. 

Sheryle Gillihan was born in the Philippines and lived there until she was six. That is when her Air Force father brought her and her mother to America for a better life.

But - that life she was privileged to live in the US didn’t mean she forgot where she was born and the struggle that was her life before she came to America.

By listening to our show about this military brat and most benevolent entrepreneur, you will learn about:

• How traveling around the world with her family gave Sheryle a unique perspective on the tough lives other children were living while she found a home in the States; 

• Why Sheryle left the military herself after only one year to be a stay-at-home Mom and how she still wrestles with this today;

• And how this social entrepreneur today is channeling her seemingly endless energy and desire to do good in this world into her digital media business.

Breakers band together as we talk to this super sweet and savvy Sheryle Gillihan.  

Brian Beers was born into a family of entrepreneurs. In fact, he was destined to become an owner of a Midas muffler repair shop since two generations of men in his family had been franchise owners.

But Beers actually inherited six Midas shops in 2010 that were losing money or just breakeven so he had completely overhaul the engine of the business and redo the body. A total rebuild.  

By listening to our show today, you'll learn:

• How Beers and his family have been in the Midas franchise business since the 1960’s and how Midas is actually very family friendly as a business;

• How Beerstook the business from six stores in 2010, lead an expansion in 2016, and now - along with his brother - owns 30 Midas shops in the Philadelphia area;

• And we will also throw it into fifth gear with Beers on how he runs his business, focuses on employees, and how really he thinks he could be successful in any industry;

Breakers don’t pump the breaks on this one, let’s welcome Brian Beers to the show!

Shelley Morris is a seasoned strategic consultant & C-suite advisor in multiple industries. AND, that includes more than two decades at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers where she finished as the executive VP and COO.

But – you might not know that she got a healthy dose of entrepreneurial energy working as a kid for her grandfather at his famous pharmacy on Irving Street in Portland, Oregon. 

By listening to our show today about this former pharmacy worker turned pizza pro turned executive VP, you will learn about:

• How growing up in her grandfather’s pharmacy taught her hard work and guided her career path;

• How working at just three other organizations after college - yes, just three - is a symbol of loyalty and an example for younger colleagues;

• And how this entrepreneur has a unique view that there is no such thing as bad decisions, which will be must-see tv for our community of breakers who, as Founders and CEOs we, are making decisions every single day.

Breakers band together as we talk to this badass entrepreneur Shelley Morris! 

Nathan Hammond has never been afraid to speak his mind or break a rule – especially if it meant he was going to improve his life or, more importantly - the lives of others. As an American-born kid growing up in Austria, he thrived on standing up and standing out, which made him a born leader. And a natural-born entrepreneur.  

But – Nathan’s ability to be a breaker and be better would also get him into trouble in elementary school and through his first job as a German teacher in Syracuse, NY. 

By listening to our show today, you'll learn:

- What it was like for Nathan growing up in Austria and Germany, the son of missionaries, and having to fit into the European culture and school system;

- How he took his passion for being a breaker into the classroom as a teacher and turned his classroom upside down with technology for two decades;

- And - how Nathan turned conversations with his superintendent and other faculty into a full-time job as an ed tech entrepreneur with a new thriving product – e-Hall Pass. 

Breakers band together and be ready to hear hilarious and heartwarming stories from Nathan Hammond.  

Breaking Ground

Barbara “Bobbi” Kurshan has worn many hats over her 30-plus years in the education field but, “ground-breaker” is probably the one that fits her best.  Bobbi has never allowed being a “woman in a man’s world,” to prevent her from pursuing her passions; even if it wasn’t always understood or supported by others. She’s now highly sought after for her expertise in computer science, her history of innovation, and her dedication to others in the educational tech landscape. Becoming an author was a natural next step. 

Teaching As A First Love

Bobbi has bookended her career with her first love: teaching. Whether in a middle school classroom or higher education positions at Hollins College and at the University of Pennsylvania (where she’s remained for the last ten years), Bobbi has instilled her skills in computer science, her experience in technology innovation, and her desire to make a difference into the lives of her students, colleagues, peers, and mentorees.  Her commitment to education spaces, computer science, and instructional design has shaped the education tech landscape and entrepreneurialism for years to come; especially for women. But she’s far from done making waves. Bobbi’s been an educator, innovator, researcher, computer scientist, entrepreneur, and investor and as of this year, she can add, “author,” to the list.  

An Innovator In Her Own Right

Bobbi knows a little something about how women rise to the top.  She’s developed ed tech and curriculum software used by Microsoft, Apple, and Mcgraw Hill built the first online curriculum and library platform ( now CurrikiStudio), and established the first-ever education entrepreneurship graduate program at UPenn.  She also serves as a board member for APEI (American Public Education, Inc.).  Now, she’s channeled all of her education and experience into mentoring other women (and men!) who have the same drive for achievement and social impact in her new book, Innovate-HERS; a collection of data, research, and personal stories of purpose-driven women who have risen to the top.  

Helping Other, “Innovate-HERS” Rise To The Top

Bobbi ensured that the book, “Innovate-HERS,” was written with busy, purpose-driven people in mind.  She spent a lifetime steeped in data and research writing academic pieces and papers and knew she wanted a different angle for this particular project.  Bobbi realized that while data is useful and necessary, what people connect to the most are personal stories.  Inspiration happens when we hear from people, much like us, who have achieved the same things we want for ourselves.  “Innovate-HERS” is full of inspirational, personal stories of real women who have achieved great things.  It doesn’t need to be read conventionally (from front to back) but can be used as a jumping-off point anywhere in the book for aspiring innovators to commit to their own process.  Bobbi believes in the power of mentorship- she hopes this book will act as another avenue to mentor future innovators.