My Company Story

I interview my brother Doug Burdge about his architecture practice that he started in Malibu 25 years ago. Doug and I discuss our early childhood days and why we each went different directions professionally; Doug went into the family architecture business, while I went into the family printing business. Now Doug is a member of Vistage while I joined Vistage as a Chair. Doug also discusses how the terrible fires that destroyed much of Malibu in 2018 affected his home, his business and his community and what lessons he learned from that experience. Learn more about doug at http://www.buaia.com

Doug and I discuss our early childhood days and why we each went different directions professionally; Doug went into the family architecture business, while I went into the family printing business. Doug also discusses how the terrible fires that destroyed much of Malibu in 2018 affected his home, his business and his community and what lessons he learned from that experience.

Cris talks about the challenges of running a Long Term Care Pharmacy in the Los Angeles market and why he started Elite, a retail pharmacy in Orange County. Cris and his wife also manage five boarding care facilities and, in his spare time, is busy raising 3 young kids. Hear Cris talk about how he is able to manage his time to achieve his many goals. You can reach Cris at [email protected]

Hear a 1 minute clip how Cris manages to run two pharmacies, five boarding care facilities and raise three kids. Hint: it comes down to transparency and trust.

Ara Aslanian, president and founder of InverseLogic an IT service provider and cyber security company based in Glendale CA. Ara is interviewed by Don Burdge at Pasadena Public Media Studios for the Public TV show “From the Corner Office”. Ara discusses the challenges he’s faced growing an IT company and what he looks for in potential employees. Learn more at http://www.inverselogic.com

Watch this 1 minute clip where Ara discusses looking for potential employees who have “Grit”

Watch the full interview of Ara Aslanian, president and founder of InverseLogic an IT service provider and cyber security company at Pasadena Public Media Studios for the Public TV show “From the Corner Office”. Ara discusses the challenges he’s faced growing an IT company and what he looks for in potential employees. Learn more at http://www.inverselogic.com

EXP is a non-profit based in Long Beach California who’s mission since 1999 is to prepare students for a better life. Their programs help young people gain experience, unlock doors and build the confidence they need to succeed in school, career and life. Amy Grat has been EXP’s CEO for the past 10 years, hear Amy discuss the challenges of running a non-profit from fundraising efforts to growing a team of committed individuals. You can reach Amy at [email protected] and learn more about EXP at http://www.expfuture.org

Watch Amy’s full interview here

In 2004 Pete Garbowski was working at a digital marketing agency in Detroit when he pitched a client on selling beef jerky online. The client passed on the idea but Pete believed in the idea and started it as a side hustle. In 2016 he made that side hustle his main job and today sells millions of dollars in beef jerky online, in retail stores, wholesale, and has an exclusive with the LA Kings and Staples Center. Along the way, Pete bought his own meat processing plant in order to control their own product. You can hear Pete’s amazing story here, buy great beef jerky at http://www.bulkbeefjerky.com and drop Pete a note at [email protected]

Pete talks about selling beef jerky as a side hustle to his main job for years until he finally decided to do it full time. Now BULK Beef Jerky is selling millions of dollars of meat over the internet, retail and wholesale locations. Pete recently purchased his own meat processing facility to cook their own jerky and he landed a deal to be the exclusive dealer for the Los Angeles Kings.

Gregg is a musician and was looking for a specific piece of software to help him compose songs. He couldn’t find exactly what he was looking for, so he made it. That led Gregg and his team to create more and more software that music makers use to make their unique compositions. Today Gregg’s firm, Output, is one of the leaders in his industry helping musicians around the world. Inc. Magazine has recognized Output as one of the 5000 fastest growing companies in the country for the past two years in a row! Hear Gregg’s incredible story of how he manages such fast growth and how he transformed his company from selling software as a product, to selling Software as a Service. Learn more at http://www.output.com.

1 minute clip of Gregg talking about the challenge of managing fast paced growth

1 minute clip of Gregg philosophy about finding your customer’s trust

Ken Tang and his cousin Andy talk with Don about growing Cornerstone into the largest national sales organization for Directv Business in just four short years. Escaping the Cambodian Khmer Rouge with his parents in 1985 to America he watched his parents struggle to provide a better life. Now Ken is hiring an average of 4 employees each week and is the “cornerstone” to his family and community by providing jobs and success to those who have ambition and the desire to succeed. Hear Ken’s remarkable story and visit http://www.cmcgroups.com for more information.

Full Video of Ken’s interview

A clip with Ken talking about he was able to grow CMC to the largest Directv Business sales organization in a few years

Rob discusses the pros and cons of joining a family business with his father and uncle. A company that was started by his grandfather. Rob also talks about the leadership skills he honed as an officer on board a ship and how they apply to running two companies. Learn more at www.southwestplastics.com and www.metrexvalve.com As a bonus, near the end of the episode, you’ll hear why recording a podcast on board a boat can have it’s drawbacks.

Full video of Rob discussing the pros and cons of joining a family business with his father and his uncle that was started by his grandfather. Also the leadership skills he honed as an officer on board a ship and how they apply to running two companies.

Clip of Rob talking about working in a family business

Clip of Rob discussing the leadership lessons learned as an officer on board a ship and how that applies to running a company.

Clip of Rob and Don discovering the unintended consequences of using a boat as a recording studio.

Listen to Tin talk about his 25 year experience running a design and advertising agency with a partner 2,000 miles away.

Watch and listen to Tin talk about his 25 year experience running a design and advertising agency with a partner 2,000 miles away.

Tin talks about his “secret sauce” which has enabled him to be in this competitive industry for over 25 years

Tin talks about what he looks for when hiring talent.

Matt talks about starting his company at 25 and his expectations.