The Action Catalyst

Entrepreneur Julie Wainwright, founder and former CEO of unicorn company TheRealReal, shares the importance of relying on data and balancing passion with objectivity as you both start, and scale, your business.

Hear Julie's full interview in Episode 503 of The Action Catalyst.

John Livesay, funding strategist and author, reveals expert insights into how entrepreneurs and startup founders can craft compelling investor pitches that win funding, including a shift from feature‑based presentations to emotionally driven storytelling, how to structure a winning pitch, grab attention in the first 90 seconds, demonstrate traction, show empathy for both customers and investors, and position the founder as the “jockey” investors want to back. Livesay also covers practical startup fundraising strategies, including angel investing, venture capital, valuations, and family offices, making this episode a must‑listen for entrepreneurs looking to raise capital and communicate their vision with clarity and confidence.

Mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh: Leading Today, Transforming Tomorrow. Click here to learn more.

Create Your Own Luck / Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh

John Ruhlin, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of "Giftology", offers guidance on when to give, how much to spend, and how to calculate ROI on gifting to clients or prospects.

Hear John's full interview in Episode 173 of The Action Catalyst.

Entrepreneur Julie Wainwright, founder and former CEO of unicorn company TheRealReal, shares the candid story behind building a billion-dollar luxury resale company after being told at age 52 that she was “unemployable", discusses overcoming public failure, fear, ageism, and gender bias in tech, how her experience at Pets.com shaped her resilience, and the disciplined, data-driven mindset she used to create and scale a disruptive e‑commerce business. Other topics include identifying unmet consumer pain points, balancing passion with objectivity, and practical advice for founders navigating fundraising.

Mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh: Leading Today, Transforming Tomorrow. Click here to learn more.

Create Your Own Luck / Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh

Lifang He, brand strategist, and former leader at Apple, Amazon, Ring, and Bloomberg, explains how branding is a truly wholistic experience, and one that doesn't stop after you've come up with a name and logo...every interaction matters.

Hear Lifang's full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.

John Ruhlin, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of "Giftology", shares his proven philosophy of strategic generosity in business relationships, and how thoughtful, personalized, and unexpected gifting can dramatically strengthen client loyalty, drive referrals, and differentiate brands in crowded markets. He breaks down the psychology behind giving, the importance of investing in top‑tier relationships, and why experiences and personal details matter more than price, but also offers practical guidance on when to give, how much to spend, and how to calculate ROI on gifting.

Best-selling author and counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, explains what the 5 love languages ARE, and how to translate the languages into the workplace.

Hear Dr. Chapman's full interview in Episode 206 of The Action Catalyst.

Lifang He, brand strategist, and former leader at Apple, Amazon, Ring, and Bloomberg, explores why brand strategy and product strategy must be inseparable for modern tech success, drawing on firsthand experience launching global products like the iPhone and Amazon Pharmacy. The conversation covers common branding misconceptions in tech, lessons from Apple’s integrated product‑brand philosophy, how Ring’s rebrand unlocked long‑term growth, what Nike’s $28 billion misstep teaches leaders about short‑term performance, and why strong brand identity is a critical differentiator in an AI‑driven, oversaturated market.

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is presented by Greg Mickelsen and "Best Practice or Pitfall?" Learn more or get the book at www.BestPracticePlaybook.com.

Greg Mickelsen's Best Practice or Pitfall?

This episode is presented by Greg Mickelsen and "Best Practice or Pitfall?" Learn more or get the book at www.BestPracticePlaybook.com.

Greg Mickelsen's Best Practice or Pitfall?

"America's Career Coach" and author Ken Coleman discusses the evolving workplace in the age of AI, emphasizing the value of human connection, soft skills, and relationships, and reflecting on challenges facing younger generations—especially diminished curiosity and difficulty asking good questions.

Hear Ken's full interview in Episode 502 of The Action Catalyst.

Best-selling author and counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, explores how his foundational relationship framework helps couples, families, and leaders communicate love and appreciation more effectively, and why mismatched love languages often cause emotional disconnects. He also shares practical strategies for nurturing quality time, recognizing children’s emotional needs, and translating the languages into the workplace. Chapman also clarifies the circumstances that may cause someone's language to shift, and which aspects remain stable over time.