The Alchemist Archive Podcast

Mazix Mahalel possesses a very unique skill set that supports awakened entrepreneurs to be the best version of themselves all of the time so they can manifest their highest vision with ease by guiding them through a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual journey.  By taking a look inward, with her guidance, you access the power to break down the stubborn barriers that could be holding you back; and actualize the immense potential you have!  

Historically,  the events/catering industry has been a very person-to-person business from the very first customer phone call to the catering van driving away after an event. When COVID-19 began sweeping through the United States, just about every business was forced to stop any in-person encounters, unless it was deemed essential for the community.  The events/catering industry came to a grinding halt and even future bookings were eventually forced to cancel. With no revenue coming in for the foreseeable future, Riccardo Mazzeo, CEO of Three Tomatoes Catering, had to strip the company budget and surmise how long it could withstand the shutdown.

After a period of hopelessness, he and his team gathered their wits to brainstorm alternative ways to bring the catering experience to the customer without jeopardizing the service or product. This included taking EVERY aspect of the event planning process to their website platform; anticipating every need, creating customizable menu items, customizable tableware, and catering delivery options; all with a few clicks online. Listen as Riccardo recounts some of the creative solutions for their company during a troubling time and how the new ways are here to stay!

(Please  Note: You will hear a distinct difference in the sound quality of this episode, as one of our mics broke without knowing it prior to the interview. :o  Our editing team did the best they could to make sure the host and guest could be heard.  We apologize in  advance.)

Honey bees play a vital role in our survival, in part, because the agricultural industry depends on pollinators for yielding healthy crops.  Unfortunately, there are currently several factors that steeply affect the mortality rate of honey bees. In this episode, learn what those factors are and how an architect and a bee ecologist have teamed up to create a technology that supports a more hospitable environment for honey bee colonies. Matt interviews Kimberly Drennan, CEO of HiveTech Solutions about HiveTech's SMART apiary. This breakthrough technology has proven dramatic survival rate increases that can combat pollinator decline and help stabilize global food production.

Much like the narrative in mythology of the phoenix rising from its own ashes, Nando Mondragon has transformed himself and the circumstances of his past to forge a new path forward. As a youth, he was on a course to inevitable destruction. Prison time was the catalyst for reshaping his future. Fast forward to today, he is a seasoned entrepreneur, artist, and avid community activist. He is taking the tattoo industry to the next level by working to change stereotypes, streamline business operations for tattoo artists, and create a first-ever accredited tattoo academy!  Listen as Nando chronicles some of the significant events and soul searching that led him to who he is today and the causes he is working for.

Check out Nando's website Certified Tattoo Studios

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is becoming more widely accepted/used to treat pain, anxiety, or seizures.  In this episode, Stacy Cason, Founder of Planetarie, explains what “CBDa” is, why it’s better than CBD, and the method Planetarie uses to obtain it from hemp plants! As a former anesthesiology nurse practitioner who was educated to treat pain with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or opioids, Stacy understands the dangerous side effects that they can produce. Stacy founded Planetarie in 2018 to offer a much safer and healthy alternative to managing pain.  

Do you ever come across a business and think, “Well duh! It’s a great concept, why didn’t anyone grasp on to this idea a decade ago?” In this case, I am talking about REACTIV.  The company was founded in 2019 by Ryan Boykin and Jason Shepherd, two clever entrepreneurs in the real estate industry.  They thought of a simple way for individuals or startup companies to rent space on a short term basis (as short as a couple of hours), as well as to help landlords to monetize areas of their real estate assets that (for multiple reasons) may not have been getting the attention they deserved.  Listen, as Ryan tells us more about REACTIV and how simple and invaluable it is for both tenants and building owners.

Also, in keeping with the true entrepreneurial spirit-Ryan and Jason have founded two other successful companies together! Of course, those are stories for another day, but click on the links to learn more!  Atlas Real Estate is a full-service commercial and residential brokerage firm and Archipelago, a social club in both Denver and Phoenix! 

One of the greatest things about entrepreneurs is that we envision a better way of doing something and want to share it with the world. And oftentimes, a brilliant idea is born out of grappling with a very difficult period in life.  Once we find our footing we want to help ease the journey for others.  This is exactly how Mindful Mamas was conceived.  In this interview, Terra LaRock shares how her experience becoming a new mother, paired with her background in psychology has culminated to form an extraordinary business idea that is helping mamas around the world! To learn more and try the app for free, click the Mindful Mamas link in the description above!

In this episode, we hear from Paige Goss, who is breaking the mold in the IT industry! 

Paige is the Founder of Point Solutions Group, an IT company that specializes in configuring, migrating, and/or integrating tech systems so businesses can run most efficiently AND securely. Furthermore, Paige and her COO, Sarah Jolly, maintain an investment portfolio supporting women-owned businesses. And as if that wasn’t enough, Paige is also Co-Founder with Sarah Jolly and Cynthia Del’Aria of Precursa, a software development company focused on helping technology startups go through a proven and predictable process for taking their ideas to market with the highest viability of success.

Paige shares with us some of the struggles and accomplishments, peri-pandemic. And listen as she discusses navigating business development through the lens of her industry- with contagious fervor, I might add!

If you are an entrepreneur or business leader, listen up, because this man, his organizations, and his story could be the keys to your success AND interpersonal growth!  In this episode, Matt interviews Greg “Woody” Greenwood, Co-Founder of the Colorado Thought Leadership Forum, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, and Co-Founder and CEO of SpiralMethod.  (Incidentally, SpiralMethod is a call-back to episode 20 with Leslie Jones. And she coached Greg back in the day!) He has partnered with Leslie on the SpiralMethod, cultivating transformative leadership in organizations.  Brimming with wisdom in building and managing businesses, Greg is now dedicated to serving the entrepreneurial community- leading with his heart, rather than his bank account.

This episode's guest is an entrepreneur in an industry that's top of mind for all business owners right now as we figure out how the future of our office space will look moving forward.  Brian Watson co-Founded Proximity 4 1/2 years ago. Proximity is a workplace management platform technology that helps coworking companies and corporate real estate directors efficiently manage the daily operations of physical space.  Although the company is relatively new, Proximity’s technology is being used in over 400 locations across the US!  Listen and get inspired by this incredibly labor-saving and versatile technology!