The Blind Spot

*CONTENT WARNING*
This conversation includes references to suicide, drug addiction, depression and PTSD.

COVID-19 has brought financial hardship for pretty much everyone, but you don't always hear the stories of how people are handling things behind closed doors ... This week I'm talking mental health, during the pandemic and beyond, with my friend Derek Stafford, owner of Elegant Image Limousine in San Luis Obispo, California. We're getting real about how hopelessness can come for you, no matter who you are, and some potential ways to navigate out of it.

Major props to Derek for coming into this wide open and willing to share his very personal story. He has a ton of great advice, based on his own experiences, and that also extends into the end of our conversation when we touch on how each of our businesses are doing with the current state of the industry, and where things might be headed next.

I loved recording this, and if it helps even one of you find your way out of a difficult emotional battle it'll be more than worth it. Remember that it is ALWAYS a good idea to ask for help if you need it - Derek and I are both proud examples of this (shout out to his counselor, Dr. Jason Richardson, down in Carlsbad).

Enjoy guys, and be well.

Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video. Spotify and Stitcher, too.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

Read more information about BILL FAETH on the Limo University website
Follow ELEGANT IMAGE LIMOUSINE on Instagram

THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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I literally never met Matt Marcus (@mattynotimes) before we sat down for this interview, but he is immediately my brother. Such a like-minded dialogue about being a business owner before, during, and potentially after the pandemic. We're coming from opposite sides of the country and operating in completely different industries - he has tattoo shops, bars and restaurants - but we dug into so many topics that have touched both of our lives and which I hope will resonate with you as well. He's a man 'with his hands in a lot of cookie jars' and he brings a lot of valuable insight about how to run a business, and really, how to live a life. Shout out to Dinamo in Richmond, VA (and probably Three Kings Tattoo as well, let's be honest) - I'm coming for you as soon as health and safety regulations make it possible! Thanks again to Matt for taking the time, I loved this conversation.

Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video. Spotify and Stitcher, too.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

Matt's other business ventures include:
A BAR in Brooklyn 
Zekes Bar in Brooklyn
Franny's Pizzeria in Highlands, NJ
Little Wolf Whiskey

THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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This week I'm sitting down with Simon Curtis of Curtis Gabriel to discuss a topic that's become more and more relevant in the business world: social media. As the founder and Business Development Director of his UK-based digital marketing and advertising agency, Simon has made it the central focus of his team's expertise, and shares so much valuable information about how entrepreneurs and companies can use social media marketing to connect with their communities and build their brand recognition. I don't care what your industry is, this applies to you. Tune in as Simon basically just drops knowledge bombs for an hour - I personally took an entire page of notes - plus we touch on how to start connecting with multiple generations of potential clients, which I think is relevant to everyone right now. I'm excited about this conversation, hope you learn something as well.

Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video. Spotify and Stitcher, too.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

Learn more about Operation Healing Forces in Tampa, FL

CURTIS GABRIEL
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THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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Today I'm sitting down to dig in on a question that's been floating around in the transportation industry ever since Uber entered the marketplace in 2009: What is the difference between us, and the services that these TNC's (Transportation Network Companies) provide?

The most obvious divergence everyone likes to point to is the money, and of course that's a factor. But especially right now when all the behind-the-scenes protocols you perhaps don't see are so important - like sanitation and internal company regulations - I felt like it was time to really highlight these details so everyone seeking transportation services can make informed decisions.

I'm in conversation with two industry leaders: COO of SLADE Services, Charlie Horky, is back, along with Robert Alexander, current National Limousine Association President and President / CEO of RMA Worldwide. Join us for a discussion around the internal workings of our companies, our mindsets regarding how to run our businesses, and thoughts about the industry in general, especially as we continue to navigate the pandemic landscape.

This isn't an hour of TNC-bashing. Even we can admit that they fill a specific space in the industry. But the misconception that 'they' are 'us' needs to be addressed. So, if you want an unfiltered and uncut look at how we're approaching the decisions and choices that shape our companies (and affect your experiences) stick around. There's a lot of truth and a lot of knowledge getting dropped today ... mostly by the other guys. Thanks again to Charlie and Robert! Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

SLADE SERVICES
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RMA WORLDWIDE
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NLA
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THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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This week Robin Horwitz, my friend and fellow PowerWod trainee with Jesse Burdick at CSA Gym, is back - you might remember him from Episode 6, when we discussed specific ways the deaf community has been affected by the pandemic. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur and powerlifter, Robin is a self-taught stock market aficionado. Starting as a day and swing trader, he's worked his way up in knowledge and skillset, and has taught me a lot about how the market works and how to navigate it as I've set up my own portfolio. From options to futures (his favorite) to hedging and beyond, we touch on a lot of different aspects and Robin gives some advice on how you might start with your own stock explorations. Thanks so much to our two ASL interpreters, Jewel and Janina, for making this conversation possible. Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video of the ASL content.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

ROBIN HORWITZ
Managing Partner at Interpreter-Now
[email protected]

THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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Buses fill a specific role in transportation, and they've always been loved for their 'recession-proof' status. Turns out that solid standing doesn't translate to a pandemic. Kevin Duff, President of Chicago's Signature Transportation Group, and TJ Doyle, VP of Operations at Gold Shield Transportation in Lexington, KY, are buddies of mine through our NextGen Collective group and they've both given me a lot of advice over the years, specifically around adding buses to my fleet and how to enterprise there. Today we're talking about how each of our companies are addressing safety and sanitation with the coronavirus, what the industry looks like today (and what we're hoping for over the next 6 months), not to mention TJ's brush with COVID-19, and I even let drop a little trivia about my uncle who you probably already know ... This is a great industry discussion with a lot of personal notes thrown in, and I really appreciate these guys coming in to break it all down with me.

Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

SIGNATURE TRANSPORTATION
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GOLD SHIELD TRANSPORTATION
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THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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Today we're addressing (and hopefully clearing up) some questions and misconceptions around CBD, the different ways it can be incorporated into your life, and who might benefit from its use. Robyn Goldenberg of HempCann Association is back, along with Todd Dewitt, owner and founder of Leven CBD, and Shira Adler, owner and founder of Shira Synergy Products. All three are entrepreneurs and progressive voices in the CBD space, and we discuss the potential of CBD for PTSD support, the stigma of marijuana as a 'gateway drug,' getting started with a CBD business, different modalities for CBD use, the communities it could help, and so much more. Obviously this topic has a lot of angles, and we couldn't cover all of them, but I hope you'll come out of it with a better understanding of exactly what CBD is (and isn't) and how you could potentially explore it for yourself, either as a client or a person wanting to break into the industry. Todd has even offered my listeners an exclusive discount code to get you started:

Use BLINDSPOT20 through the end of the year at www.levencbd.com for 20% off any non-sale items and free shipping on your first order.

Also available on Facebook, IGTV and YouTube for full video.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

TODD DEWITT:  LinkedIn
Leven CBD:  Instagram  ||  Facebook  ||  Website

ROBYN GOLDENBERG:  LinkedIn
HempCann Association:  Instagram  ||  Website 
Strategy Leaders Business Consulting:  Instagram  ||  Website
NextGen Collective:  Instagram

SHIRA ADLER:  LinkedIn
Shira Synergy Products:  Instagram  ||  Facebook  ||  Website

THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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Episodes like this one are basically the whole reason I started this podcast. The slogan is ‘What aren’t you seeing?’ and we really get to explore that concept this week, on multiple levels. I know Robin Horwitz from CSA Gym, and he brought his friend Gerardo Di Pietro to join us for one of the more interesting conversations I’ve had in a long time. Both of them are deaf, and together with their interpreters we discuss how the pandemic has been affecting their lives, and the lives of others in the deaf community — face mask difficulties, and beyond. Thanks again to our interpreters, Kristina and Carol. If you’d like to see the video version (obviously the visuals for this one are an important part of the conversation) head over to our Facebook, IGTV or YouTube channels.

Watch a video detailing the UrbanBCN vehicle cleaning procedures here: https://bit.ly/nottodaycovid

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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On this episode of The Blind Spot, we get to know Mark Kini, 20-year owner of Boston Chauffeur and founder of the fitness apparel brand Iron Essential. Not only is he a great friend and mentor, he's become like a brother to me over the years and is definitely one of the people who helped make me a better operator back when I was first starting out in the transportation industry. He started building this life back when he was just a youngster, and we dive into a lot of fun stuff as we talk about what that journey has looked like for him, plus some workout and fitness tips, and which celebrity he briefly worked as a body double for. Hope you enjoy this one! Also available on IGTV and YouTube for full video.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

MARK KINI
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BOSTON CHAUFFEUR
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IRON ESSENTIAL
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THE BLIND SPOT
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DAVE UZIEL
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URBANBCN WORLDWIDE
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Chief Marketing Officer and head of Business Development at Strategy Leaders Business Consulting, strongwoman in training, powerhouse mom, and co-founder of HempCann Association, Robyn Goldenberg is basically an all-around badass and I am so lucky to have her on the podcast this week. We met through limo industry channels, and then connected over powerlifting - she was training for a strongwoman competition before the pandemic shut it down - and realized we should probably be friends. Turned out great, as you'll see. If you're any kind of entrepreneur or business owner, she definitely has some tips for you as she talks all stuff EIDL and PPP. Plus her wealth of knowledge about just life in general and how to be happy in it makes this episode a winner on multiple levels. Also available on IGTV and YouTube for full video.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing, subscribing or leaving us a 5-star review. It helps people find us, and is greatly appreciated.

Robyn Goldenberg
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HempCann Association
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Strategy Leaders Business Consulting
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NextGen Collective
Instagram

The Blind Spot
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Dave Uziel
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UrbanBCN Worldwide, Executive Transportation and Private Aviation
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