The AGC Experience

Join Travis Sims and Gretchen Morris a 14 year business owner with a six figure business suddenly displaced by the pandemic looking for an essential role to serve others.  Choosing the Pandemic Proof industry of health care and retirement and starting over again Gretchen shares the importance of showing up and doing the work. 

About Gretchen Morris:

Before starting her career in Health Insurance, Gretchen spent over 30 years in the marketing field and built her own successful business. She brings the skills of organization, communication and insight to each encounter she has. She is a Certified MN Sure Agent and is licensed for Medicare, Life Insurance, Final Expense Planning, and Long-Term Care.

Gretchen and her husband of 28 years live in Ramsey and have one adult son. They are an active couple and can be found on any given weekend kayaking, biking, working out or working in the garden. Their happy places are the beach, in their rv traveling or on their motorcycle. They vacation in Florida and enjoy time with friends and family.

Coming from a family who serves I am excited to finally be in a position to also serve people. I feel I will do this by helping them navigate their insurance needs as they journey through life. The complexity of choices can be overwhelming, but my goal is the same as American Senior Benefits; Educate and make thoughtful recommendations so that your journey can be one of Health and Security. I look forward to earning your trust and becoming a lifelong resource for you."

Join Travis Sims and Donte Curtis as they talk about his work in Catch Your Dream Consulting where he works with colleges, organizations, and business on diversity inclusion. We talk about equality, recent public events, and the importance of having a voice. Donte teaches us 3 important steps to creating an equal working environment. This is an eye opening interview where you will learn a lot on a very important message. 

Donte Curtis is the owner of Catch Your Dream Consulting where he mentors, inspires, and trains individuals and teams, nationwide, on leadership development,racial equity, entrepreneurship, making effective change and supports them to excel in their dreams and create positive change. With over 10 years of facilitation and speaking experience, Donte is adapt to fostering the collective wisdom in the room and creates space to make sure everyone voice is heard. Probably one of the most energetic people you will ever meet, Donte lives a life that is dedicated to leadership, social justice and liberation. 
 
If you are interested in booking, please email [email protected] 

Homeowners Contribute to Their Community & Wealth

Join Travis Sims and Tammy Wagner as they talk about the American Dream of home ownership. How that owning a home is an investment in yourself, your community, and your wealth. They discuss the affects that covid-19 has had on the market, buying, selling and financing a home and much more!  

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About Tammy Wagner

I have been in Finance for 27 years, Management 10 years and a Mortgage Advisor for 10 years. I enjoy helping others with their mortgage needs, spending time with my daughter, husband, family, friends and pup Mollie.

Homeowners Financial Group opened their doors in 2004 and has been committed to serving the needs of borrowers, while maintaining a corporate culture focused on family. We take pride in being able to help people complete one of the most important financial transactions they will ever have.

Who I want to meet...

Good hearted people with the same passion I have for helping others. Anyone that wants assistance immediately or in the future to purchase a home, refinance a home or to leverage the equity in a current property they own. 

Join Travis Sims and Lynn Laumann as they talk about Focusing On What's Most Important to Your Family & Business! Lynn gives us insightful advice on running a business as the owner and not trying to do everything. She shares the importance of delegating the things you don’t enjoy or you are not good at. Lynn helps us understand the importance of your image and your brand as you network in an online digital world and much more!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

·        When you should take the reins of your business.

·        When to delegate.

·        The importance of your professional image.

·        How to have success in a digital online world.

·        And more!

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About Lynn Laumann:

I am a full time photographer and studio owner in historic downtown Chaska. I have been photographing businesses and families since 1999! From head shots to website images and events I have the experience and expertise to create images that set your business apart from your competition. I am skilled at any lighting situation and have a knack for getting the look you need. My complimentary consultations are the perfect place to plan for an easy and creative photo session and discuss your needs. From newborns to graduating seniors and everything in between capturing your family's story is what I am focused on. I know you are busy and it feels impossible to get a session planned. Let me help you decide everything from location and time of day to clothing choices and photo products. You don't need to know everything, let's just start a conversation!

My studio is located in historic downtown Chaska. The studio is available for sessions and there are numerous outdoor locations within minutes of the studio that have a variety of looks. Need a service done on location or at a venue? I can do that as well. I have been in business for 20 years and do any business and family photography service. My style is authentic and real and all of my images are edited, retouched, and sized for what you need.

I would love to meet other business professionals that love helping other businesses. If you and I have a similar client and we can refer each other that is a great fit.

Join Travis Sims (The AGC Experience Host) as he takes the rare opportunity of his own podcast to teach the essential principles of networking versus building a network. You might be surprised by Travis's innovative ways to identify networks, their values, and the styles within networking. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The five different types of networking.
• The three styles of networking.
• How to diversify your networking.
• How to develop a true network.
• And more!

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About Travis Sims:

Travis Sims is a Networking Expert, Motivational Speaker, and Thought Leader committed to helping you become a better person, leader, and networker. Travis is a powerful Keynote Speaker engaging audience as large as 3,000 people from all over the world in 49 different countries.

For 14 years Travis was a high-level executive for a global business networking organization breaking records of achievement nationally and internationally. Travis is known worldwide as the Magician of Networking. He has been teaching & coaching the best business leadership minds across the country how to do networking, build networks, and create community.

Travis is the CEO of AGC Accelerated Global Connections the fastest growing business networking organization in the Twin Cities. He is on a mission to help accelerate local business connections in social settings around the world that foster relationships resulting in global opportunities.

Travis recently became an Amazon #1 Best Selling Author with his new book "Networking In The New Normal." Teaching business professionals how to grow & thrive during and beyond Covid-19.

Seven years ago, Travis set a goal to lose 100 pounds in one year. He not only accomplished this goal, but he has kept the weight off. Travis has completed some of the toughest competitive Mud Obstacle Courses on the planet, running in the following races: Warrior Dash, Rugged Maniac, Spartan, Battle Frog and the Tough Mudder. Travis enjoys Kickboxing and Martial Arts. He recently earned his blue belt in Kempo Karate.
Travis believes his success can be attributed to setting goals reviewing them regularly and a strong desire to accomplish them.

Join Travis Sims and Diane Napper as they talk about designing your life to live  up to your dreams. Diane has a background and business in design but a passion for living and helping others. She is running for State Senate and shares her views on faith, family, and education. We touch on the recent death of George Floyd, Civil Unrest , and Covid-19. Diane shares what it's like to be a double minority in business as an African American Woman business owner.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Are the negative things in our life going to be what you're known for?
• Being a lighthouse to guide and help others.
• Ask yourself what can you do to help.
• Step out step up and speak out.
• And more!

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About Diane Napper:

I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, in a neighborhood much like where I live now in Nokomis East – still in the first (and only) home I ever purchased in 1998. My dad was a supervisor at the United States Postal Service, and my mom was a high school Home Economics teacher. Together, they gave my siblings and I a solid moral foundation through faith in God, love of family, the importance of a strong work ethic and the value of a good education. 

I forged lifelong friendships growing up, with kids from a variety of economic, racial and religious backgrounds. Our grade and middle school not only taught us how to read, write and do math, but how to develop relationships, resolve conflicts and work together as a team to solve problems. 

I graduated with honors from the Philadelphia High School for Girls – the same high school that my mother graduated from and my grandmother attended.

Thanks to what started from the generosity of a dear friend of my parents, my siblings and I had the amazing opportunity to attend a summer camp on a family farm as children. So when I moved to Minnesota, many people were surprised to learn that I knew how to milk a cow. Growing up in the city, that camp – out in nature – further reinforced my faith in God, and taught me how to take care of animals, grow food, be part of a team, and build a doll house out of wood.

​In 1989, I earned my bachelor’s degree in International Business, with a concentration in Marketing from American University in Washington, DC. In my junior year, after spending the summer working to save money for the trip, I was able to study abroad for a semester in Denmark, where I learned to speak Danish. In the middle of the semester, I had the opportunity to visit the Soviet Union and Italy. My brief time abroad in general, and in the Soviet Union in particular, helped me fully understand that I had been born in the greatest country on the planet, no matter what my friends advocating socialism at the time told me. 

I started my business, Taurus Moon Graphic Design, LLC in 2002, and married my husband in 2006. We live in South Minneapolis, and enjoy cooking, gardening and spoiling our cat.

Join Travis Sims and Sunday Burquest as they talk about overcoming and inspiring. She is an author and public speaker that chooses to survive, helping women serve their communities with the talents and gifts they have. Sunday shares her experience of being on the TV show Survivor, dealing with difficult life situations, and the value of listening.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Are the negative scenes in our life going to be the title of our movie?
• Being a source of motivation for other people after overcoming the trials in life.
• Working with millennials. Navigating through differences and being open to ideas.
• The process of writing books and various tips on being productive.
• Staying creative during the pandemic.
• And more!

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About Sunday Burquest:

Sunday is a breast cancer survivor, a competitor on the reality TV show Survivor and a woman that went without a bathroom for 35 days, she is the ultimate Grit Girl.  Sunday empowers audiences to discover the grit they already possess.  Her dynamic and engaging presentation is relatable to all audiences as she breaks down the true meaning of G.R.I.T.  Using personal experiences and practical solutions she delivers a strategy for surviving life’s biggest setbacks while the audience is on the edge of their seats both laughing and crying. 

Sunday delivers hope. 

Check out a recent segment Sunday did with Elizabeth Ries of KSTP Twin Cities Live.

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You can find Sunday Burquest on…

Website: https://iamgritgirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sundayburquest/

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Join Travis Sims and Steve Donofrio as they talk about making a change and thinking differently. Steven shares his thoughts on advocating for peace, listening between the lines, and not being afraid of being wrong. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Steve turned into a peacemaker. A change of perspective of pride to shame. 
• The difference between “fighting” against something with “supporting” for something.
• Shifting the idea of “speaking” to “communicating.” You don’t need to be Tony Robbins!
• Being proactively positive and allowing yourself to fall into a bad mindset sometimes. 
• Accepting mistakes when you might be trying to do what’s right.
• And more!

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About Steve Donofrio:

Steve Donofrio has a passion for protecting and helping others. He has over 20 years’ experience helping young people ages 15-25 build confidence and leadership skills.  Steve is also a former noncommissioned officer in the US Army. Every solider regardless of rank has one thing in common, they received training from an NCO.  He spent 15 years living and working in Japan running his own small business. Steve has spoken and taught to schools, colleges and companies throughout America and Japan. He is the lead author of the book "Mama Manual" and is a regular contributing author for Japan's leading professional security journal, "Security research" magazine. He brings a unique blend of solid, practical education from a subject matter expert, combined with an original entertaining approach. His content has been on local regional and national media platforms throughout Japan. Steve is all about boosting confidence, building leaders and bettering lives.

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You can find Steve Donofrio on…

Website: https://boostconfidencenow.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedonofriospeaker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveDonofrioMakeachange/

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Join Travis Sims and Jenna Kaltved as they get into direct sales and finding the time to do what you want. Jenna is a successful business owner, wife, and mother that seems to be able to do everything with ease! She talks about her business ventures, the myth of “balancing” time, strategies to keep things together, and her perspective on the pandemic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Relationship of your passions with doing your business. How did Jenna use her experience with volleyball to enjoy what she does now?
• Finding the right company and product in direct sales.
• Juggling different plates as a successful married woman and a business owner. Grab the one close to the ground!
• Being intentional and designing your life. Be future-minded!
• Creativity during the pandemic. Get your focus on the right thing.
• And more!

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You can find Jenna Kaltved on…

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-kaltved-6769807/

Email: [email protected]

Contact number: 612-987-7104

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Join Travis Sims and Adam Schneider as they talk about understanding different perspectives and creating music with purpose. Adam is a producer for multiple projects and a band member of The Most I Am. He shares his perspective on music on its intrapersonal uses, the creative process, and meaning beyond the words and rhythm.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Using music and passions to understand yourself.
• Not making decisions based out of fear, but of your identity.
• The process of songwriting. Trying things out, being open to mistakes, and emotions.
• The Most I Am. Accepting where you are right now but also finding more in your life.
• And more!

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About The Most I Am:

The Most I Am is a Acoustic Soul Pop group with a mission is to inspire authenticity, positive energy, and personal growth!

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You can find Adam Schneider and The Most I Am on…

Website: https://themostiam.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themostIam/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostiam/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFz9jto1VCz1jULS7evzSeg?