On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we interview Devan O'Dowd, Director and Equity Partner of Global X, an exchange traded fund firm. He originally studied Environmental Economics and Law in preparation for becoming a lawyer before making the shift to finance.

In his youth, Devan had dreams of being in the NHL and spent much of his time playing hockey and trying to keep his grades up. During college he played hockey, but realized that he wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer.

His time at the University of Illinois was a busy one, as Devan joined a business fraternity and a social fraternity, played hockey and ended up being part of College Works as well. It was during this time that he really began to get to know more about himself, his strengths, and of course the areas he needed to work on.

Eventually, his desire to make an impact led to a shift in thinking, one that led him to the world of ETFs and Global X.

This show will inspire you to follow your passion and use every day as another step toward excellence.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Examples of measurable and repeated ways to succeed every day.
• Devan's path to a finance career as well as an introduction to ETFs.
• Why doing what others won't, allow you to achieve what others can't.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

On today’s show, we interview Steve Brazeel, founder and CEO, Sunterra Produce show who shares with us his distilled wisdom on work ethic, and working smarter, and the foundational elements that contribute to success. 

Growing up, Steve spent 18-hour days helping his father on the farm. And so, while his upbringing instilled in him great work ethic, the importance of working smarter eventually dawned upon Steve.

Upon graduating from the University of Arizona, Steve worked with industry giants like Sun World International and the DiMare Co. In this segment of the show, you will learn how Steve took massive pay cuts just because he could learn more and gain more depth.

Eventually, his desire to generate greater and greater value led him to entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2000, SunTerra has grown from a one-person firm to an industry leader catering to giants like Walmart, COSTCO and Trader Joe’s.

This show will surely inspire you to put your best self forward.

Do not miss!

What You Will Learn

• Working smarter, using your brain and not your back

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

On today’s show, we interview John Hepworth, co-founder, Firstway Fundraising who reveals how he turned his charitable project into a thriving business. He also shares how he found the gumption to start a large business at the age of 25.

John credits his parents for his hardcore work ethic. From a young age, John was keen on earning money and being independent. So, he ended up doing odd jobs to get by.

When John signed up for College Works, admittedly, he thought that it was going to be a piece of cake. But he soon realized that he had a lot to learn.

In this segment of the show, John shares why you need to step out your comfort zone, and learn to work with different people who may not have the same outlook as you.

After College Works, John worked with an insurance company for a bit before starting a fundraising business with his good friend, Jaime. Eventually, he moved to the US to grow and scale his organization.

Topics discussed today include the real definition of excellence, the importance of adaptability, and continuously trying new things.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The meaning of excellence

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

How can you truly achieve financial freedom and accumulate enough capital so that you can live off your investments?

On today’s show, we interview real estate agent and investor, Calvin Cox who shares with us his money philosophy. You will learn how to inculcate financial discipline so that you achieve the ultimate dream – living off your investments.

Growing up, Calvin worked multiple jobs in high school and college which taught him the importance of great work ethic. 

However, it was not until he was 27 that Calvin understood the power of compounding. A chance meeting with a financial advisor proved to be a complete eye-opener, and Calvin decided to invest $2,000 every month – a habit that he has stuck to for the past 23 years.

Alongside, Calvin also managed to build a large real estate portfolio and start his mortgage company – which he sold at the age of 39.

Today’s show is all about inculcating discipline and delayed gratification so that you can hit your biggest financial goals. 

If you want to live off your investments, and truly enjoy great work life balance, listening to today’s show can help you chart out a roadmap.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How do I decide that real estate investing was right for me?

l businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

Why are most entrepreneurs unable to grow and scale their business? And in the process, unable to realize their fullest potential?

On today’s show, we interview the CEO and founder of Teacher Zone, Chris Bates who shares with us distilled wisdom on goal-setting, tenacity, and building a long-term, sustainable business.

As always, we start this show with Chris sharing his definition of excellence. You will learn that while goal-setting is important, constant never-ending improvement is imperative for those aspiring to be excellent.

Growing up, Chris aspired to be a rockstar. But unlike many of us, he actually packed up his bags and moved to Hollywood to pursue his dreams. 

After a while Chris decided to transition to real estate investing after four years, he shares some important lessons that he learned from this stint of his in this segment of the show.

You will learn why you should pick a scalable business model with the potential of generate recurring revenue. And if you have a transactional business that you are struggling to scale, listening to Chris will surely inspire you to level up.

Currently, Chris manages Teacher Zone which is a SAAS-business for teaching organizations.

You will also learn the importance of showing tenacity and following through on your ideas in today’s show.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why you cannot be a successful artist without being a good business person

Resources

Winning

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

Can a College Works internship help those pursuing high-profile careers?

On today’s show, we interview the Emergency Department Chair at Amita Health, Dr. Adnan Hussain who shares with his distilled wisdom on excellence, failure, and grit.

Born to Pakistani immigrant parents, Adnan had a normal suburban upbringing. A higher performer in high school, he managed to get a full-tuition scholarship to medical school. 

And it was at this juncture that Adnan stumbled onto the College Works opportunity. Cultivating grit was the most important lesson that Adnan learned as a student painter.

He also talks about how his first year as a manager was in stark contrast to his second year as a district manager. 

Managing a team of 60 people was a huge challenge for Adnan. This experience built his foundational skill sets that are helping him to date.

As an emergency department chair, Adnan is in charge of operations, recruitment, and finances at his hospital. You will get a peek into his daily workday in this segment of the show.

Other topics discussed on today’s show include how to make yourself more and more valuable, and regaining optimism even in the most trying situations.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Tackling failure, and the importance of grit

Resources

 Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

On today’s show, we interview Sean Nachtigall who shares with us his distilled wisdom on grit, belief, and embracing the unknown.

Growing up, Sean was averse to sales and marketing. He had some preconceived (and utterly false) notions that were shattered once he started working as a College Works painter.

Sean shares his big why for taking up the College Works internship in today’s show. You will learn why embracing discomfort is the only way to grow to the next level.

Admittedly, Sean was absolutely terrified in the initial phase of the internship. But having a chip on his shoulder helped him push through and finish the internship with flying colors.

As a sales engineer for Vertical Systems LLC, Sean helps design, develop and install HVAC systems. You will get a peek into Sean’s role and daily responsibilities in this segment of the show. Specifically, we discuss the importance of developing versatile skill-sets so that you can work with multiple people across a wide range of spectrums and just get the job done.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The real definition of sales and marketing

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

On today’s show, we interview founder of Neon Owl, Elaine Huang who shares with us her distilled wisdom on following your passion, thinking outside the box, and working for the greater good. 

Neon Owl is a media company and lifestyle brand that connects artists and fans while giving back to charities across the world. 

We start this show with Elaine sharing why you need to work with integrity if you hope to tether on the edge of excellence. 

Growing up, Elaine grappled with low self confidence and imposter syndrome. She was never interested in studies and just did enough so that she could secure her admission at UC Davis.

It was at this juncture that she enrolled into College Works which gave the chance to be her own boss. And this served as a huge confidence booster for Elaine.

Upon graduation, Elaine worked as the VP of Business Development at Rayco, a company specializing in solar energy. But she was eager to make a larger impact and work for the greater good.

And this served as her big why for Neon Owl.

In the next segment of the show, Elaine gives us a peek into her business as she shares how she is combining dance, music and philanthropy.

Tune in to get inspired!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How to find the courage to follow your passion

Resources

Neon Owl

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

On today’s show, we talk with Trevor Tait, Managing Director, Tait and Associates who shares with his distilled wisdom on adding value, failure, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Back in high school, Trevor’s puny 90-pound build did not stop him from playing football with others who were much larger and stronger than him. This is when he first learnt the importance of “stepping out of your comfort zone”.

Trever went on to study civil engineering at Vanderbilt. And upon graduation, he was hired to work at a large engineering firm. But admittedly, this stint of his was a total failure. Rather than adding value, Trevor was just focused on “blending in”. 

But this experience made him realize that his sole focus should be helping others. 

In the latter half of the show, Trevor shares how he has applied these learnings to his own engineering and real estate development company with much success.

Among other things, Trevor shares his definition of excellence, and the importance of continuous learning and innovation.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How failing at my first job taught me how to add value as a professional

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

Would you find the strength to pivot and change course if your long-cherished dream came down crumbling in an instant?

On today’s show, we talk to the incredible Ally Becker who shares with us her distilled wisdom on keeping your focus, and showing courage in ambiguity.

As always, we start this show with Ally sharing her definition of excellence. You will learn why you cannot hope to find yourself on the edge of excellence without being present and completely focused.

Back in high school, Ally was focused on her studies and her passion – dancing. However, just a month before her dance trials, she injured herself. And her long-cherished dream that finally seemed within her grasp vanished – just like that.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Ally was quick to pivot and change course. 

Her YEAA internship had stoked her interest in finance. And Ally has recently finished her Masters in Financial Planning. 

Leveraging the YEAA network has enabled Ally to have multiple job offers on hand. And currently, she is figuring out the best way forward.

Tune in and get inspired!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Finding courage in ambiguity

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/