Joining Benny on episode 74 is Harry Klaus, a Project Advisor with The Big Fish Contracting Company. Harry talks about what makes Big Fish a unique company to work for, and how it truly is a family atmosphere where everyone is taken care of. On this episode, Harry shares his origin stories of the different industries he has been involved with, the traveling he got to do, and how that all has set him up for success at this point in his career.

Harry then goes in-depth about a pivotal event in his life. At age 25, he found himself in a very bad car accident which left him in a coma for 2 weeks. He had broken a staggering number of bones, and eventually awoke in the hospital unable to move. This extreme adversity from the accident gave Harry a true second chance at life after his healing process, and a new perspective on not allowing himself to get hung up on things in the past – as the past cannot be changed, but it can be reflected on for growth.

This is an inspiring episode about second chances, learning life lessons, and reflecting on the journey through life.

Joining Benny on episode 73 is; business owner, radio show host, and well known Bethel Park handyman, Andy Amrhein! Andy lives for three things – his family, his community, and the joy of helping people. The Bethel Park native has worked at Evey True Value Hardware along Library Road for close to 40 years – including as co-owner with his wife, Mary Alice Moore, the past 20 years. Andy shows up around 4 a.m. to get ready for customers at 5 a.m., and yet never feels exhausted after working more than 80 hours a week.

When Amrhein is not helping people with projects via his business, he’s helping people over the airwaves. He has had a KDKA radio show for the past 26 years, in which he fields questions and gives helpful home improvement tips. The “True Value Home Improvement Hour” is from 10-11 a.m. Saturdays on AM 1020 and 100.1 FM. He has had frequent appearances on KDKA-TV’s “Pittsburgh Today Live,” and produces two shows for BPTV, the borough’s TV station, with the assistance of Dave Cable.

If you live in or around the Bethel Park, PA area – this is a great hometown episode to learn more about Andy and the shop he runs that has been a staple for decades.

Joining Benny on episode 72 of The Big Fish Cares Podcast are University of Pittsburgh All-American wrestlers, Nino Bonaccorsi & Micky Phillippi! Nino & Micky share their origin stories of how wrestling became their lives, along with all of the adversities, trials, and hardships that came along the way. Ultimately, the devotion to the sport & the work ethic they’ve established has set the groundwork for these young men to succeed in anything that they do.

Learn more about Micky & Nino below:

Micky: https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/wrestling/roster/micky-phillippi/12430

Nino: https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/wrestling/roster/nino-bonaccorsi/12419

Joining Benny on episode 71 is Kelly Frost. Kelly has more than 20 years of thriving success in the fields of Consulting, Marketing & Advertising, Publishing, Management, Media Production, Communications, Event Planning and Human Resources.

In 2022 Kelly launched PEEL: Pittsburgh’s Elevated & Emerging Leaders. The foundation of PEEL was formed around philanthropic endeavors. Every event, luncheon, happy hour, etc, is tied to charitable giving. PEEL’s mission is to provide immediate relief and focus on helping people with their obstacles over the long-term. We do this by collecting and delivering donations and monetary contributions, sponsoring/attending events and physically volunteering where needed. We want to make the world a better place one act at a time.

During the pandemic Kelly ELEVATED a Women’s Network group as the position of Assistant Executive Director, after she successfully spent a year as the Pittsburgh Director. She worked to develop resources, content and connections to fulfill their mission of building a community of women who encourage and support each other both professionally and personally.

Kelly is adamant about empowering and inspiring both men and women in business, and in life.

In 2017 after temporarily losing partial vision and hearing, Kelly underwent weeks of testing where she was ultimately diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Rather than allowing this disease to define her, she decided to be an advocate for those who share her diagnosis. Kelly is now on the National Multiple Sclerosis Digital Advisory Board lending her voice, her story, and her talents in any capacity to assist those with MS and those with loved ones fighting MS. She will be raising funds and awareness for MS in conjunction with her book launch, and signings.

Connect with Kelly below:

https://frostexecutiveservices.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kelly.frost.391420/

Joining Benny on episode 70 is Tiffany Sauder. Tiffany is the CEO of Element Three, a full-service marketing consultancy in Indianapolis. Tiffany is also an entrepreneur, investor, podcast host, speaker, board member, wife, and a mom x4.

She knows that business is anything but an individual sport. So while she’s received awards like IBJ’s 40 Under 40, Junior Achievement’s Best and Brightest, and Krannert’s Burton Entrepreneurship Award, she credits much of that success to the E3ers who’ve worked hard to make Element Three a special place. Under Tiffany’s leadership, the company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 six consecutive times from 2014 to 2019, brought home a “Best of Show” ADDY Award, claimed spots on the IBJ Fast 25: Fastest Growing Businesses in 2014 and 2015, and won HubSpot’s Agency of the Year in 2012.

Joining Benny on episode 69 is John Glaneman, a certified Dale Carnegie Senior Trainer and Sales Expert with 18 years training experience and 30 combined years of corporate/business experience. John helps leaders navigate their businesses future through executive coaching and custom training solutions. John shares his origin stories about his humble beginnings growing up in Eighty-Four, PA - up through his time serving in the military, leading to his time in Desert Storm.

After his time in the military, he worked some union jobs and eventually found his way into sales with a utility company. John then followed his path to an opportunity with the Dale Carnegie company. Fast forward to today, John owns four DC franchises and has now helped thousands of people change their lives through his trainings & seminars.

Connect with John below:

https://www.dalecarnegie.com/

Joining Benny (in studio!) is Samantha Moatz. Samantha is the inspiring founder of 412Thrive, an advocate for ALL breast cancer fighters, and a super mom. In October of 2010, at the age of 23, Samantha found a lump in her right breast and within a month was diagnosed with stage 1b 100% estrogen positive breast cancer. She had no family history and no genetic mutations, so she is living proof that cancer can happen to anyone at any time and at any age. A true warrior, Samantha underwent a lumpectomy, and did thirty-six rounds of radiation.

Samantha celebrated being ten years cancer free on October 28, 2020. Being cancer free doesn’t mean that the battle is over; there is a price to pay physically, emotionally, and financially. This knowledge was the catalyst for founding 412Thrive. This nonprofit provides support for individuals affected by breast cancer and genetic mutations.

On this episode Samantha shares her inspiring journey from cancer diagnosis through beating it. This is a great episode for anyone that has been affected by cancer, and anyone that wants to learn more or get involved with 412Thrive and the wonderful work that they’re doing.

Connect with Samantha and 412Thrive below:

https://www.412thrive.org/

Joining Benny on episode 67 is Chuck Thokey! Chuck is a sales and marketing coach, author, mentor, and keynote speaker. Helping small to large home improvement organizations grow their sales by as much as 50%-80%, Chuck has the experience and knowledge and coaching ability to help you meet and even exceed your revenue goals. Most companies looking for an effective coach are asking for someone with up to date success and experience. Chuck works directly with contractors who are implementing our sales strategies everyday that transform their sales teams and constantly outperform their markets and the industry.

Growing up near Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Chuck grew up with a love of aircraft which led to Chuck eventually becoming a Flight Test Engineer at Bombardier Learjet in Wichita, KS. After the 9/11 attacks, Chuck was forced to find another career path. Moving back to Ohio, he became a mortgage broker working in sales and eventually into a national sales management position. It was here he found much success through coaching and training hundreds of sales talent into top sales professionals. Chuck began managing teams, many previously stagnant, by teaching how to increase revenue of large home improvement companies at record speeds.

Currently, Chuck works with small, medium and large companies all over the country that are in need of sales coaching on a variety of levels. Speaking at many different conferences and company events across the nation on topics ranging from The Prospects Experience, Strategic Sales Process and Closing, as well as Sales Leadership & Coaching.

Connect with Chuck below:

https://contractorcoachpro.com/

https://topreptraining.com/

Joining Benny on episode 66 is the Chief Operation Officer of Plannatech, Adam Bjorn. Adam has 25 years of experience in the tech industry, with a focus in enhancing the global iGaming ecosystem. Adam got his start in gaming two decades ago in sportsbooks and horse racing. Adam has been influential in helping guide companies in becoming compliant in the sports betting part of the industry and in driving aspects of technology development.

Benny & Adam discuss the journey through the gaming industry, and the impact it has on our culture. They also chat about their love of VeeCon and have plans to link up at this year’s event!

Connect with Adam below:

https://twitter.com/adambjorn2

https://www.adam-bjorn.com/

Joining Benny on episode 65 is his Executive Assistant and Manager of Big Fish Media, Ally Monroe! Benny & Ally talk about how different personalities in business are set-up for success in different functions, and how those personalities complement one another. One topic that stems from that conversation are some tips and best practices on hiring, and the right questions to ask in an interview process. Ally shares her origin stories, from growing up in a blue-collar family, to her love of music, and how that all led her to pursue a career in nursing. Ally shares some very powerful stories from her career in nursing, and how those experiences built up her ability to handle anything that is thrown her way. Following her nursing career, Ally shares her path that led her to joining the Big Fish team and becoming an integral part of Benny’s different businesses.