If Not Now Wen Podcast

If Not Now Wen Podcast

By Wen ZhangBusinessEntrepreneurship
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If Not Now Wen Podcast episodes

  • Interview with David Karabinos, Serial Entrepreneur & Tech Strategist Investor
    David is a seasoned executive and board director building teams, business units, and companies. David has been a technology executive, and an entrepreneur/operator for more than 40 years launching companies, raising equity & debt capital, and achieving successful exits. He has served as the CEO, COO, CFO or CIO for 5 startups he launched since 1999. For the last two decades, he has been an Angel investor and an LP in three Venture Funds. David has served on 17 for-profit and non-profit boards over the last 30 years. He has extensive knowledge and experience in Technology, Healthcare, Financial Services, Fintech, Manufacturing, Energy, Technology, and Outsourcing Industries.
    44 min
  • Interview with Joe Merrill, General Partner @Sputnik ATX & Serial Entrepreneur

    ''Success is the function of happiness'' - Joe.

    I am truly inspired by Joe's story, and his perspective of how he is making the world a better place, one day at a time.


    In this interview, we discussed:

    - Old America vs new America - his worldly view to see the world

    - How to do more together and his secret of being happy

    - How to overcome hard times and be successful being a first-time entrepreneur


    Joe Merrill is a General Partner at Sputnik ATX, investing in companies that seek to improve the world by providing opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential. Sputnik ATX provides seed stage through series B funding and operates an accelerator program in Austin, TX. Prior to Sputnik, Joe was the founder of Pan Am Education, the first blended-online learning system; was a senior director at Apollo Global, a Carlyle Group $1bn joint venture fund with Apollo; and started his professional career as a U.S. diplomat as a Career Member of the U.S. Foreign Service, posted to Washington DC; Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Abuja, Nigeria; and Seoul, South Korea. He is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and earned his M.B.A. in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago. Josef volunteers as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Legacy Traditional Schools TX, as a Trustee at the University of Potomac, and as a founding board member of Emma’s Choice and the STEM Academy. His blog about the intersection of economics, entrepreneurship, and international politics can be found at www.econtrepreneur.com or find him on Twitter @Austin_VC.

    42 min
  • Interview with Dan Janjigian, Serial Entrepreneur

    ''The cemetery is the world's most expensive real state, underneath where burry countless dreams and aspirations, whether it is a music album, inventions, and business that never get started. - Dan Janjigian'

    In this INNW interview, Dan Janjigian shares his journey about how he accomplishes all the greatness in his life, from athlete, actor, author, entrepreneur, coach and so many more.

    Dan's favorite saying -  'It is all about good time' truly inspires me. 'If I would not try this, would I be ok with that?'

    In this episode, we discussed:

    -How to leverage Warren Edward Buffett exercise to prioritize and maximize your time

    - How to overcome fear and sell anything?

    - What does Dan learn through competing in the Olympics?

    #entrepreneur #entrepreneur #podcast #interview #leadership #music #successtory #overcomechallenges #selfmastery #serialentrepreneur


    Currently, a professional coach/trainer, as well as the owner of Gridiron Financial, with offices in Washington, Arizona, and Texas. Dan is also involved outside of traditional markets, co-authoring a book with Jack Canfield (The Soul Of Success (v2)), acting in Hollywood with cult hits at "The Room," and even being portrayed on the big screen with the 2018 Golden Globe-winning film, The Disaster Artist, where he was played by Zac Efron. Dan was also the founder and CEO of SpeedMenu, Inc, a technology company that allows users to order food, drinks, and merchandise from their phones directly onto their tabs. As one of the owners of the popular Hollywood restaurant, Geisha House, which was featured on popular television shows such as MTV’s Punk’d, and HBO’s, Entourage, Dan is probably best known for competing 9 years internationally in bobsledding, taking a Silver Medal in the '05 America's Cup, and as an athlete in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. He's also been involved in several other big and small screen roles including two reality shows, and mainstream films including Seabiscuit and The Longest Yard. He's hosted for Home Shopping Network and QVC, and in 2013 featured on Wheel of Fortune.

    42 min
  • Interview with Kendall Cherry, Founder of Candid Kendall
    Kendall Cherry is the founder and creative director of The Candid Collective, an online and in-person community for entrepreneurs to come as they are, regardless of gender, age, race, revenue, or years in business. The company's mission is to create a world that’s more candid and kind. She also produces The Candid Kendall Podcast each week.
    https://candidcollective.co/
    47 min
  • Interview with David Frankin - Serial Entrepreneur & Founder of KnowRX
    David, a Navy Gulf-War Veteran, is a seasoned technologist with more than 24 years of experience. He has participated in two IPOs (Rackspace and SolarWinds) and delivered more than 10 applications to market on the Salesforce AppExchange.  Over the last decade, Franklin has focused on cloud computing and machine learning for health care applications. He has studied at Moody Bible, Penn State, and MIT. 
    He is the founder of knowRX, Inc., as a top nationally ranked Start-up that focuses on empowering patients through medication adherence and clinical research engagement opportunities.
    43 min
  • Interview with Jim Denholm - Founder & CEO of IronBridge Private Wealth

    As founder and managing director, Jim Denholm created IronBridge to assist clients on their paths to success. Every aspect of IronBridge was developed with a client-first mindset, including financial planning, portfolio management, risk mitigation, customer service and innovative fee structures. Jim has earned numerous awards for helping clients pursue their financial goals. Prior to founding IronBridge, Jim was a Senior Vice President with Wells Fargo Wealth Management, where he managed customized portfolios for high net worth clients. His knowledge and diligence earned him recognition as a Wells Fargo Premier Advisor for each of the past 10 years and a nomination as a Barron’s Top 1000 Advisor. Before joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2005, Jim was Senior Vice President at JPMorganChase as a Wealth Advisor. He began his career as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Jim has been trading stocks since 1997, and has been advising clients on investment strategies since 2001. Jim brings a unique and distinguishing educational background to his client relationships. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, providing a strong analytical basis for investment management and planning. In addition to his engineering degree, Jim is furthering his education in portfolio management by pursuing advanced certifications in globally recognized, graduate level programs that provides a strong foundation of investment analysis and portfolio management skills. These designations emphasize the highest ethical and professional standards. Jim’s commitment to service also carries over to his involvement with the local Austin community. He currently serves on the board of the Austin Symphony and the Dell Medical Children’s Trust. He has previously served on the boards of the United Way Financial Stability Council and the Downtown Austin YMCA. The Amarillo native and his wife, Melanie, live in Westlake with their two sons, Mac and Patrick, and two very large Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. They enjoy what Austin has to offer, including live music, spending time on Lake Austin, and trying new restaurants. Away from the office, Jim is an avid golfer and enjoys Texas Longhorns sports. https://www.ironbridge360.com/

    50 min
  • Interview with Minh Tran, Founder of Executive Fan

    'I always want to be the best player, I never want to lose.' - Minh Tran


    In this INNW interview, Minh Tran shares his entrepreneurial journey: from the moment when he knew his calling at such a young age, to strive to make an impact via a successful business.

    In this podcast, we discussed:
    - What is his biggest failure and how to overcome it
    - How to overcome insecurity & hesitation in life and business
    - What is Minh Tran's American Dream

    Minh Tran’s family moved from Vietnam to the US after the Vietnam War. As the youngest of 8, Minh was born and raised in Michigan. As an entrepreneur, Minh has combined his passion for sports and his entrepreneurial spirit and created a rapidly-growing international business called Executive Fan. Executive Fan is an innovative, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing company focused on bringing fans unique products that connect them with their favorite sports teams. The first product on the market is a special type of office, packaging, and duct tape with college logos called Fan Tape. The idea was developed in 2009 by Minh and a few of his friends—all avid sports fans—and they began in a basement, testing samples and working on licensing and market analysis. Their first customer was Meijer, and they have since expanded to major colleagues across the US, as well as pharmacies such as Walgreens. Minh’s advice to young entrepreneurs is to stick with your vision and don’t get off the path. “I started at one of the worst times for businesses and I survived,” said Tran. “If you believe in it, do it.” Minh soon launched Executive Fan into a successful global business and sold it in 2016. Currently, Mihn is the Board President of Leander HS Golf Booster Club and a member of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Texas with his wife and his beautiful family.


    www.ifnotnowwen.com

    42 min
  • Interview with Rafiq Meherali - President of Perfumes of the World - His Journey Overcome Adversity with Gratitude
    A philanthropist,  world traveler, a devoted family man, a loving husband, and a proud father, living in gratitude, with the intention of making each day count.
    Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Raf came to US at the age of 14 years.
    Being an ambitious and independent young man, he took up small jobs to pay for his education, learn the American Life and not be a financial responsibility on his father anymore.
    Upon graduation, he immediately landed a handsome job at a IT firm, as head of sales, for the Southwest region, selling Computer hardware and peripherals.
    By then his parents and sister had moved here as well and father and son started their first Company, Meher Trading Corporation. Being a fashionable and creative person himself, with a forte at sales, Getting into the Health and Beauty Industry was inevitable, and soon one storefront in the Asian trade district in Dallas, TX grew to 19 locations all over the United States.
    Perfumes of the World (Scents, INC) opened its doors in 1997, as a wholesale Distribution Center for Branded Health and Beauty products, and haven’t looked back since then.
    March 2000, is when the next phase of his life began, Rafiq married Sonita. With his parents blessings and family tradition, they had an Arranged marriage. Sonita, herself came from a family business background and an Education in Business. Together they became a power couple, growing their empire with innovation, and hard work. Rafiq's wife, Sonita, is his best friend, confidant, and business partner, and together they have 2 Beautiful daughters, Kimaya and Kiaana, who they are raising with the same values that they were raised with.
    Besides being actively involved in the Day to day administration and being
    the lead buyer at Scents, Inc, he expanded his business into the lucrative fields of Manufacturing of Private Label Fragrances, Real Estate and Chain Restaurants.
    In addition, Raf has served as the Director of The Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Texas & as Administrative Director at One World Bank in Texas, as well as a frontline volunteer of his Religious community, The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, led His Highness Karim Aga khan.
    44 min
  • Interview with Lin Chen - Founder & CEO at PINK MOON
    Lin Chen is a second-generation Asian American and was raised in Southern California, schooled in Texas and Taiwan, and is now pursuing her passions in NYC. She has a passion for building brands – particularly those that share her values in wellness, sustainability, and ethos. As a marketing communication professional with an emphasis on consumer lifestyle and beauty industries, she has worked for companies in various industries, ranging from startup to international public brand and B2B tech to beauty.
    Her experience and passion for holistic living ultimately led her to create Pink Moon, an NYC-based consultancy, a boutique consultancy and a newly launched WellCare e-commerce that features female-founded eco-beauty/lifestyle brands. Pink Moon aims to uplift and radically transform the eco-beauty industry.
    In less than 3 years, she has helped nearly 20 different female-founded brands bloom in various dimensions of their journey. She has intentionally built a business that works solely with female-founded brands that value sustainability, philanthropy, and holistic wellness because she believes that these values are key to creating a more conscious and empowering beauty space.⁣
    Every aspect of Pink Moon has been carefully crafted with intention. Lin has built Pink Moon leveraging deep industry experience – including her internship at 100% Pure (one of the first companies to bring plant-based beauty to the masses), her role as Customer Guide / Social Media Manager at natural skincare retailer Ayla Beauty as well as her Marketing & Sales Director role at luxury organic skincare brand Bottega Organica. Lin’s passion for eco-beauty and wellness is long-standing in both her personal and professional lives. Because of this, she has completely immersed herself in every dimension of the eco wellness space possible, making her knowledge invaluable and vision unparalleled.
    https://pinkmoon.co/
    47 min
  • Interview with Marc Siegel , Founder of Quantum Performance CBD
    Marc Siegel is a man with a vision. That vision is to help peoples’ lives improve through health, fitness, and well-being.
    Originally from Staten Island, New York, Siegel spent the first years of his career with a well-known bank in the city, where he had a $22-million-dollar book which he brought up to over a $100 million. In the process of being a High-flying city slicker, he gained at least 50 pounds in weight.
    Siegel knew things had to drastically change during a visit to a gym that left him lying on the floor, panting for breath and covered in sweat. He left the banking job, his wife left her job in advertising, and they then headed to South Florida to start a new life.
    Following the move, Siegel got into serious shape and felt better than he ever had. He made a decision that he would help people improve their bodies by training and educating himself to become a personal trainer. Starting at the bottom of the ranks at a gym, he soon became area manager. However, this was not enough and he knew he needed to go solo. He started his company, Quantum Performance Training.
    After seven licenses through the National Association of Sports Medicine and working with all types of clients from people wanting to get fit, to professional athletes wanting to up their game, Siegel knew he wanted to help even further. He started to look into the concept of CBD.
    Today, Marc is the owner at Quantum Performance CBD. https://www.quantum-pt.com/
    59 min

About If Not Now Wen Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Dreaming of venturing into the world while growing up in an isolated mountain town in rural China, Wen completely transformed her life by teaching herself English using a cassette machine. Despite countless challenges, she pushed forward to become the only person who ever left her hometown, and achieves her dream of seeing the world four years later.