Looking Beyond With Michael Sikand

In Episode 23, listeners hear from Ed Bolian, Founder and CEO of VINwiki Inc., former Cannonball Run record holder, and ex-Sales Director of Lamborghini Atlanta. He discusses why he started an exotic rental car company in college, how his VINwiki youtube channel went viral overnight, and his advice to young people who aspire to be shrewd negotiators.

In Episode 22, listeners hear from Stephanie St. Thomas, Head of Marketing for Ribbon Health, an a16z-backed startup determined to simplify healthcare. She discusses the companies pivot from a B2C to B2B model, the keys to marketing healthcare products, and her advice to students excited about the business of healthcare.

In Episode 21, listeners hear from Sandy Plashkes, Co-Founder at Owners Box, a sports tech startup determined to disrupt the multi-billion dollar fantasy sports industry through a key advantage: social engagement. Sandy discusses how Owners Box's game plan for taking on giants like Draft Kings, the need for a comprehensive fantasy sports experience, and how he loves the sports tech space.

In Episode 20, listeners hear from Kristy Rasbach, Chief Engineer of Autonomous Vehicles at GM, about her focus on integrating AV technology with vehicle hardware, the competitive and cultural advantages of the Cruise acquisition, the future business models of self-driving cars, and her advice to college students who want to build the self-driving future.

In Episode 19, listeners hear from David Dann, Founder & CEO at Mind of a Genius Records, an independent label home to artists like ZHU, THEY., Gallant, and Klangstof. Dann discusses the importance of creative freedom, how artists get paid through streaming, working with mega-labels, and his advice to students interested in music business.

In Episode 18, listeners hear from Matt Seiler, a three-time CEO of multi-billion dollar ad agencies, who’s now looking to reinvent the executive search industry as Managing Director and Executive-in-Residence of Raines International. We discuss the evolution of advertising agencies, the flawed status quo in executive search, and how he loves helping people wield the power of their personal brand.

In Episode 17, listeners hear from Eunice Cofie-Obeng, CEO and Chief Chemist of Nuekie, a DTC beauty company with skincare products designed for dark skin tones. She discusses why she launched her game-changing beauty brand, the strengths of the DTC business model, and how she believes empowering entrepreneurs of color can change the world.

In Episode 16, listeners hear from Carlton Fowler, Managing Partner of Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture firm founding a venture capital firm focused on making investments in the alcoholic beverage space. He notes the emergent success of DTC alcohol brands, the surge in acquistions by big suppliers, and his advice to students who want to start their own fund one day.

In Episode 15, hear from Rob Chesnut, Advisor and former General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer at Airbnb, about his company’s 500k donation to Black Lives Matter + NAACP, the importance of companies aligning with social missions, and his advice to students about how to affect change in the new war on racism and inequality

In Episode 14, listeners hear from Eric Hutcherson, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at the NBA, about when the NBA will resume play, the growing role of technology in fan experience, and his advice to students who want to work in the business of sports.