By Deirdre Sanborn
The podcast currently has 34 episodes available.
Tom Mason is the General Counsel at Energy Transfer. Energy Transfer was responsible for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and Tom himself has been directly involved on the project.
While the Dakota Access Pipeline triggered protests around the country, the media coverage didn’t fully cross-examine all sources of information and, consequently, skewed the narrative of the importance of the Dakota Access Pipeline. In episode of The Ambition Project Show, Tom provides the other side of the story. Although social media helped the story spread like wildfire, what was never underlined was the extensive procedures that took place to ensure safety for everyone involved, and why the Dakota Access Pipeline is needed. Listen to Episode 33 of this podcast to learn more.
Show Notes
[2:00] Tom was the point person for the litigation of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
[2:25] Let’s get the other side of the story on this highly controversial issue.
[5:00] The media has a tendency to be skewed.
[5:45] Crude oil damages the environment, so why would it make sense for a crude oil pipeline to be constructed?
[11:20] The pipeline is underground, so how would it affect the tribe’s access to water? Does the pipeline ever come above ground?
[15:10] Why has there been such scrutiny towards this pipeline?
[18;40] People who are opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline are more anti-fossil fuels vs. pro-environment. How are those two things different?
[25:00] How did Tom and his company try to keep the peace when it came to trespassers?
[27:50] Protesters were attacking law enforcement.
[31:25] Why haven’t more people heard about this side of the story?
[36:00] How can listeners become more informed and find about the real truth of the situation?
[36:30] Get your information from more than one source.
Connect with Tom:
Website
Daplpipelinefacts.com
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Today’s episode dives right into some of the red flags of a Ponzi scheme, and how to avoid it. I invite Darryl Cleveland on to the show to help demystify what a Ponzi scheme is. Darryl is a business lawyer who has counseled clients in securities law and compliance-related issues. Don’t end up being an unsuspecting investor that gets scammed out of your hard-earned money!
The largest Ponzi scheme in history was conducted by Bernie Madoff; an estimated $18 billion dollar loss to investors. How did this happen? Bernie’s clients were high-profile and high-end, yet they still fell into a Ponzi scheme. Was it just investor greed that got the best of them, or is there something more to it? Let’s find out!
Show Notes
[2:45] What is a Ponzi scheme?
[4:00] Bernie Madoff had some very high-end and wealthy individuals on his roster.
[4:30] The government has laws in place so that the unsophisticated investor doesn’t get penalized heavily.
[5:25] How do both sophisticated and unsophisticated investors accidently get involved in a Ponzi scheme?
[6:30] What are some of the red flags to a Ponzi scheme?
[10:35] How can you invest and protect yourself?
[11:40] When receiving a statement, how do you know if it is true?
[12:25] Do the statements make sense to you?
[13:55] You have to do some legwork sometimes.
[16:20] How do you differentiate between a Silicon Valley start up investment (with no proven track record) vs. a con artist (with no proven track record)?
[18:25] Con artists help you overlook the red flags by pressing on the ‘urgency’ factor.
[19:15] If they won’t give you time to think over the decision, then the answer should be no.
[20:45] The sexy and glamorous investments aren’t for everybody.
[22:05] What’s the difference between an accredited and unaccredited investor?
[23:45] Deirdre does a quick recap.
[25:00] If you don’t feel comfortable, then don’t ignore that feeling.
[25:35] How can someone do a background check without hiring a lawyer?
Connect with Darryl:
Dclevelandlaw.com
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On this week’s interview, I share an interview I did with Julian Placino of The Pathways to Success podcast. I enjoyed sitting on the other side of the table as a guest on his show. During the podcast, I had the opportunity to share the 5 C’s of living a fulfilled life, along with the number one mistake entrepreneurs make that hurts their success.
Julian interviews leaders on business, personal development, health, and more for his podcast. Be sure to check out his podcast after the interview.
Show Notes
[3:10] My role as a coach and leadership consultant.
[4:55] Money buys us opportunity.
[8:10] It’s scary going out on your own, even with savings!
[9:55] How has my coaching business evolved over the last three years?
[10:35] Why are so many people, especially with wealth and money, so unhappy?
[13:30] What does it mean to live one’s best life? Learn about the “five C’s”.
[16:55] Every single one of us are leaders, and we have the ability to make a difference, not only in our lives, but in the lives of the people in our community.
[19:40] Is there one “C” that’s more important than the others?
[20:15] When coaching a client, how do I find out what his/her client’s pain points are?
[29:30] Julian knows he’s experiencing flow, because the work that he’s doing now comes naturally to him.
[33:40] Should people follow their passion, or not?
[36:45] Achievers always have to live with a whisper of discontentment.
[38:50] How do we hold ourselves back?
[42:20] How can people find their purpose?
[48:35] Love is the currency of flow. You have to experience things with an open heart, even if it may hurt.
[51:25] Relationships are the deal! Find out why.
Connect with Julian:
Julianplacino.com
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Jacki Pick, a local Dallas resident, is the host of The Jacki Daily Show. She also has an extensive career in energy, law, and politics. Jacki has served as General Counsel to an engineering firm specializing in energy, national security, and environmental cleanup. She has also served many years as legal counsel on Capitol Hill to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, and the former Ranking Member of the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee, advising on the oversight of federal agencies.
Jacki discusses fossil fuels and their intimate connection with the global economy and international policy. Her opinions may be controversial for some, but Jacki argues that everyone should do their research on the facts before forming an opinion based on populist opinion and the media hype.
Show Notes
[2:30] How did Jacki transition from law to energy policy?
[3:05] Did you know terrorism comes from primarily petro-states?
[4:20] When Jacki understood oil and its connections towards war, world conflicts began to make much more sense.
[4:55] But, isn’t the U.S. waging war over the petro-states and not the other way around?
[6:50] Instead of thinking in terms of the ‘good’ guys and the ‘bad’ guys, start thinking of it from an incentive point of view. What incentives do the U.S. or even Russian governments need to employ in order to control the energy supply?
[8:00] Jacki claims that the U.S. simply cannot feed millions of people without fossil fuel.
[11:15] We’re globally connected to trade partners, both friendly and not.
[11:55] The U.S. has relied on imports for so long, that it’ll take a long time for the U.S. to become energy-independent.
[12:20] Canada is our largest source of foreign oil.
[14:20] You want to be born into a country that uses fossil fuels, because your quality of life will be considerately much higher.
[16:00] It’s impossible today to run on renewable energy.
[17:55] Why are fossil fuels seen as so bad if we need them to survive?
[25:55] When it comes to energy, do your homework before you formulate an opinion.
[27:20] There seems to be a bias towards fossil fuels and our world’s natural resources, why is that?
[33:30] The U.S. has never truly had an energy policy.
[34:10] Why is the department of energy really, in fact, the department of nuclear energy?
[41:55] When it comes to oil prices, what do you need to be aware of?
[43:40] How can investors capitalize on opportunities in the energy space?
[47:55] Jacki speculates on how President Trump may affect energy policy.
[50:55] Jacki discusses the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy.
[55:00] If we stopped using fossil fuels tomorrow, a majority of the population would die of starvation.
Connect with Jacki:
Her think tank: www.ncpa.org
Her show: www.jackidaily.com
Jacki’s show segment on Dakota Access pipeline: https://soundcloud.com/jacki-daily/brigham-mccown-the-truth-about-dakota-access-pipeline
The Billionaires Club report (funding of the fringe green movement in the U.S.): http://leftexposed.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2014-Senate-Billionaire-Club-Report.pdf
Recommended Resources:
Brigham McCown: The Truth About Dakota Access Pipeline
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Ray David is the President of PointBank, an independent and locally owned bank serving the Denton County community since 1884. PointBank has won the award for ‘Best of Denton County,’ since 2009. They’ve also been awarded for ‘Best Personal Bank,’ ‘Best Business Bank,’ and ‘Best Commercial Bank.’
On today’s episode, Ray sits down with me and shares some of the hidden benefits of working with a community bank. He also details the differences between a community bank and a big bank. He is part of a series I’ve been creating especially for business owners who are seeking alternative ways for funding and growing their business. Find out more how a community bank can help you and your community.
Show Notes
[3:05] How does Ray help business owners succeed with his community bank?
[4:40] What is the definition of a community bank?
[6:15] What makes a community bank like PointBank different?
[9:45] What’s going on with community banks these days? There seem to be fewer of them in existence today than in days past.
[10:35] Due to strict and costly regulation, a lot of community banks are merging with each other, just to keep up with the cost of regulation.
[12:00] Are community banks going extinct?
[13:55] Now is the best time to strike up a relationship with a community bank.
[14:55] What kind of information does a bank like PointBank need from a client, in order to provide them the best kind of service?
[18:00] Ray talks about the problems of rapid growth, from a startup perspective.
[20:35] How can businesses avoid these costly mistakes?
[23:05] How can a business owner effectively manage their financial reserves?
[25:25] When a client is drawing too heavily on their line of credit, that doesn’t always mean their business is in trouble.
[27:35] What can business owners do to properly educate themselves on cash flow, and their relationship with banks?
[30:35] Ray offers some final thoughts about the extinction of community banks.
Connect with Ray:
Website
Recommended Resources:
Ntsbdc.org
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Patricia G. Greene is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College, where she holds the Paul T. Babson Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies. Patricia’s research focuses on the identification, acquisition, and combination of entrepreneurial resources, particularly by women and minority entrepreneurs. She is a founding member of the Diana Project, a research group focusing on women and the venture capital industry.
On this week’s show, we discover what the main motivator is for most entrepreneurs and small business owners who start a business. The answer might surprise you, as it often isn’t for financial purposes. Throughout our young adult lives, we’ve been told that acquiring debt is bad for you, so what options do entrepreneurs have when seeking capital? Do they have to go into debt with a banker? You’ll want to listen in for more, as Patricia identifies some clever financial options for you.
Show Notes:
[2:20] When it comes to business owners, who are we talking about?
[2:35] The vast majority of small business owners have less than 10 employees.
[4:25] Why is Patricia interested in entrepreneurship?
[5:20] Money is often not the top motivator as to why people start business. If money isn’t, then what is?
[9:30] What kind of challenges do entrepreneurial women face, as they focus on raising/having children?
[11:25] Although there are no numbers behind this, women are more likely to build their business, based on their family's needs.
[11:40] How does Patrica help entrepreneurs at Babson?
[15:30] Babson built their program specifically for entrepreneurs. This is why so many students have had a dramatic mental shift towards how they approach business.
[21:10] How can a person grow their network list, when they don’t know anyone?
[24:30] How can a business owner approach someone of influence, without seeming selfish, or like a taker?
[30:30] When investing in crowdfunding, the risks are untested thus far. In angel funding, the risk is that 8 out of 10 investments will fail.
[30:45] How can the average person overcome these two vastly different risks?
[34:35] How many of us grew up with the notion that going into debt is bad? Despite knowing debt is bad, so many business owners have been told that it’s okay to go borrow the money.
[35:20] When it comes to acquiring debt, do men obtain it differently, vs. women? What has Patricia seen so far?
[40:00] If you don’t feel comfortable approaching a banker for capital, then figure out your next game plan and what would work for you.
[43:45] Small business owners have a lot of resources available to them that will help them grow their business. Big corporations simply do not have that.
[44:50] Entrepreneurs can’t go wrong by following the ABCs: Aspiration, Behaviors, and Confidence. Patricia explains further.
[46:00] It’s not necessarily harder to grow a business, than to run a small one. It’s just different.
Connect with Patricia:
Website
Email Patricia: [email protected]
Recommended Resources:
Goldman Sachs | 10,000 Small Businesses
Goldenseeds.com
The Diana Project
SBA Loan Programs
SBDC Program
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Jonathan Hufnagel is an entrepreneur and founder of DASH, also known as Digital Auction Showdown. DASH is the only digital auction platform of its kind that offers a unique sports fan engagement experience with their favorite sports teams. Sports fans can now get access to priceless and limited edition memorabilia from their favorite teams. Not only can users bid on one-of-a-kind items their athletes are selling, but they also are able to contribute to the charities the teams are promoting as well, through their purchases.
On the show, Jonathan describes the challenges of jump-starting a company and becoming a huge success. There are certainly growing pains for Jonathan from the quick success he has received, but as you may know, no one is a truly an overnight success. It took Jonathan years of experience in order for him to get to this point in his entrepreneurial journey, which he discusses more openly in the interview. Jonathan also discusses in greater detail why you have to be determined and ambitious, when it comes to getting the right results.
Show Notes
[1:30] Tell me more about the DASH app, Jonathan.
[2:45] Jonathan and his team have built the only digital auction platform specific for professional sports teams and their fans on the marketplace.
[4:15] How do fans traditionally get their hands on sports memorabilia?
[6:25] How does DASH create a unique fan engagement experience?
[8:40] How can fans go and bid on these classic and one-of-a-kind items?
[9:45] How is DASH and the fan experience different from other competitors that have since cropped up?
[12:55] Most sports teams have charitable foundations that they give their proceeds to.
[13:45] DASH is designed to work with literally any team, no matter how big or small, in the sports world.
[15:55] What kinds of conversations has Jonathan had with potential partners who want to join forces?
[19:25] Jonathan is looking for potential investors
[24:45] If you want to achieve your dreams and your goals, you have to be determined.
[25:40] Being an entrepreneur doesn’t come easily. How does your vision fuel your ambition?
[30:45] What does Jonathan see for the future, especially when it comes to aligning himself with the right partners?
[33:35] Does Jonathan have a mentor?
[36:40] Jonathan believes it’s important to start small, and not put too much on your plate.
[38:05] What does Jonathan need right now? A super angel investor!
[38:40] How important is ambition, when it comes to Jonathan’s entrepreneurial journey?
Ambition Quote:
"Dreamers are the saviors of the world." ― James Allen
Connect with Jonathan:
Website
Recommended Resources:
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center Whiteboard Sessions: MENTORING
1 Million Cups
Launch DFW
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Clint Bruce is the founder and president of Trident Response Group, a global intelligence and advisory company that teaches leaders, businesses, and families about the importance of readiness. While serving in the Navy SEALs, Clint was involved in military missions that allowed him to gain a deep knowledge and appreciation of defense planning. He incorporates the skillsets he learned in the military to help his clients.
In episode 27, Clint discusses a number of topics related to leadership. He dives into why the urgency of time is important, the importance of readiness, and the power of curiosity in creating powerful outcomes. You’ll experience first hand why leaders of Fortune 500 companies employ his team of expert veterans to protect the company and their clients against unforeseen risk and prepare leaders so that they can be at their best in unexpected situations.
Show Notes
[1:45] Who is Clint?
[6:10] How does Clint work with leaders?
[8:00] The internet has made it so that whether you’re a local business or not, you’re still an international business.
[11:00] At the end of the day, it boils down to being ready for the unexpected, and to mitigating your risk.
[11:20] Clint works with a formula that combines three things: readiness, resistance, and resilience.
[12:10] There are four things to risk mitigation: when/how to get out, how to protect yourself, how to treat an injury, and how to get your safety and shelter.
[15:25] What does Clint mean by the ‘urgency of time’?
[19:55] How can you use a ‘flow state of mind’ to control time?
[22:15] How does Clint inspire leaders to understand the urgency of time, and how do they apply it to their local community?
[29:00] Where are some of our biggest weaknesses and biggest opportunities?
[30:50] Clint believes we our soft, as a nation.
[35:45] Clint calls himself the achieving average, not an average achiever. Learn why.
[36:20] Once you lose your fear of failure, you become a very dangerous version of yourself, for all the right reasons.
[40:10] When you develop extraordinary talent plus curiosity, that’s when something incredibly special happens.
[40:35] How does curiosity apply to the latest election and its results?
[47:30] Whenever you have suppression of critical thinking, we have a problem.
[49:05] Be curious, and focus on how to be part of the solution!
Connect with Clint:
Website
Recommended Resources:
Theodore Roosevelt
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Laura Baldwin is co-chair of Open Office Hours for the Texas chapter of
Golden Seeds. She received her BA from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and her MBA from Southern Methodist University. Golden Seeds focuses on investing in women-owned businesses to help women get the funding they need to grow their companies. Women are starting businesses at record levels, and Golden Seeds is proud to announce that they have invested over $70 million in more than 65 women-led businesses since 2005.
This week’s episode dives into how an entrepreneur can gain access to an angel investing network like Golden Seeds. Laura and I also dive into how she got started in this business, why Golden Seeds looks for women-led businesses, and the risk tolerance investors need to have, in order to become a great angel investor. It seems that of the 10 companies an angel investor might invest in, only two of those will end up succeeding. Those are some pretty high numbers! What can entrepreneurs do reduce those odds and keep an angel by their side? Find out on this week’s episode!
Show Notes
[1:20] Laura discusses how Golden Seeds got started.
[1:50] Why does Golden Seeds only invest in women-owned businesses?
[3:35] What’s Laura’s investment criteria when looking to invest in a women-owned business?
[4:25] What kind of companies does Golden Seeds invest in?
[6:35] Laura shares an example of a company that Golden Seeds recently invested in.
[8:50] Angel investing, from an investor’s point of view, can be more risky than traditional investing. How does Laura manage this?
[9:55] If you have a portfolio of ten companies, probably eight of those will fail.
[10:45] Why is Laura attracted to angel investing?
[12:40] Golden Seed members need to invest at least $25,000 a year. The minimum deal is usually around $12,500 dollars.
[13:45] How can entrepreneurs tap into this angel investing network, and hopefully receive funding?
[15:55] What should entrepreneurs be doing to prepare themselves for an angel investor meeting?
[18:55] Does Golden Seeds work with incubator groups?
[22:15] What kind of qualities does Laura look for in an entrepreneur and in the team?
[24:40] Begin with the end in mind. Always have an exit strategy.
Connect with Laura:
Website
Email Golden Seeds: [email protected]
Recommended Resources:
Cogrx.com
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey
SMU Entrepreneurship Program
Thedec.co
Techwildcatters.com
Healthwildcatters.com
Innovation.utdallas.edu
Revtechaccelerator.com
Collidevillage.com
Cowtownangels.org
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For a decade, leading up to his current Venture Capitalist role, Patrick Howard was a leading voice in the importance of using Austrian Economic theory in helping small businesses and families build wealth. As a leader in a boutique firm in Dallas, TX, Patrick helped design and deploy a portfolio strategy that maximized long-term capital flows, while mitigating economic risks.
I sit down with Patrick to get a deeper insight into what raising capital really means to our Dallas entrepreneurs. As Patrick says, the less risk entrepreneurs are able to bring to the investor’s table, the more equity they can bargain with. So, how can entrepreneurs mitigate their risk and get the capital they need? Tune in to find out as Patrick and I explore the intricate details of the venture capital world.
Show Notes
[1:55] What does Patrick mainly invest in?
[3:55] It seems like every week there’s a different name or label towards raising capital. What’s really happening in the equity space today?
[4:35] How do you define a Series A capital round?
[5:55] It’s very important for your company's growth to have someone deeply invested in you and your company.
[6:20] So, where does Patrick’s funding come in? What kind of role does he play?
[9:05] How can entrepreneurs mitigate their risks and increase the likelihood a venture capitalist will invest in them?
[11:00] Venture Capitalist firms can get a bad rep. How does Patrick differentiate himself from the other venture capital firms out there?
[15:10] What is a ‘cap table’ and how does it affect people’s perception of value?
[18:40] What is Patrick’s investment methodology at OECapital?
[22:40] How can investors successfully leave a company, after they’ve invested in it?
[25:00] What are the differences between using a venture capital firm vs. acquiring debt from a bank?
[28:15] Patrick shares a client case study on how he and his team help businesses grow and reach their next-level potentials.
[32:15] Who are Patrick’s investors, and how did they find out about OECapital?
[37:00] Venture capital is like the NASDAQ. Patrick explains a bit more on what he means by this.
[41:00] The Dallas-Fort Worth community has untapped opportunities in venture capital.
[43:40] Patrick talks about the Dallas Private Equity Conference his firm is hosting.
Connect with Patrick:
Website
Patrick on LinkedIn
Patrick’s Recommended Resources:
Unequal.com
Unequal on Facebook
Dallas Private Equity Conference
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The podcast currently has 34 episodes available.