"I didn't start a company to cure hangovers...there was this incredible technology that allows us to engineer a bacteria to perform a function that people will benefit from."

Join me for an exciting conversation with a young scientist with a Ph.D. in microbiology. We'll discuss his journey into entrepreneurship and his mission to utilize science and the body's natural processes to enhance lives. Specifically, we'll dive into his work on developing a remedy for the effects of excessive alcohol consumption or a hangover.

Zach openly discusses why he became an entrepreneur despite negative publicity and marketing against genetic engineering. He shares his business startup challenges, including raising money, scaling, and building a solid team (emphasizing the need for a co-founder who complements his lack of business knowledge).

Highlights:
☛ Why is our microbiome so underrated?
☛ How ZBiotics aims to change perceptions of GMOs (Genetically Modified
   Organisms) by creating products people want and understand.
☛ Genetically engineered probiotics can provide specific health benefits, such as
   breaking down alcohol byproducts.
☛ The science behind alcohol metabolism.
☛ Zach's decisive moment about becoming an entrepreneur.
☛ The source of the stigma associated with genetic engineering.
☛ Building a solid partnership with trust and open communication is essential for
   startup success.
☛ Zach's takeaways on start-up challenges.
☛ The key to surviving and thriving against the odds.

Connect with Zach:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zaabbott
Web: https://zbiotics.com/

Doctors experience burnout regularly because they must work in ways they know can be improved. The business model of medicine has adulterated the relationship between the physician and the patient. Decisions are made about what solutions to offer you, not because it's best for you or the least disruptive in your life. It's because that's how doctors make a living, and that's how the organization they work for makes a living. 

Russ Allen (yes, he fused his first and last name) has been an entrepreneur since he was 12. 

While in college, he chose to share a room with two quadriplegic college students, an experience that changed his perspective on life. He quit college and started a food bank that became a national model. 

RussAllen's multiple entrepreneurial journeys include transforming a cleaning company into a multi-million dollar business and other small tech and software businesses he started and grew. 

It was Russ' obesity journey that led him to focus on wellness. 

RussAllen teams up with NFL Hall of Famers to form the NFL Alumni Tackle Obesity group to help former players improve their lives. It later morphs into a national business, tackleobesity.com, that boosts weight reduction odds by pairing clients with professional coaches. 

Russ Allen dedicates his career to improving our broken, bureaucratic, inefficient medical model. He's investing and opening wellness centers that offer proven non-invasive medical solutions to improve patient outcomes and lives. 

Connect with RussAllen:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/russ-allen-8272753
Web: wellnessnow.com
Web: tackleobesity.com
Email: russ@wellnessnow.

Amish Shaw walked away from three generations of his family's diamond business to innovate an industry long overdue for change—a passionate leap into entrepreneurship that risked everything. 

In the traditional diamond industry, a diamond passes through eleven distribution points before it is displayed at a store. Each 'handler' adds their profit margin, resulting in only 1% of consumers being able to afford a diamond.

Amish has a bold vision for his lab-grown diamond company, which bridges the gap between desire and affordability. Already, 62% of engagement rings are made with lab-grown diamonds. 

Highlights:

• The unknown history and facts about the traditional diamond industry
• The key factors that drive success in the Jewelry business
• Disruption is not destruction
• The lab-grown diamond innovation combines sustainability and affordability

Famous Quote:
"The value of jewelry lies in the emotional connection and the moment it represents, rather than the origin of the diamond." - Amish Shaw

Connect with Amish:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amishshah-nyc
Website: jevar.co
Email: [email protected]

Alex Bruschi has spent his entire career in sales, making him uniquely qualified to uncover the secrets of successful sales reps and the skills and mindset that propel them.

"Sales is a powerful equalizer. Regardless of your background or education, you can do exceptionally well if you're good." - Alex Bruschi

We explore the development of sales roles, the reasoning behind appointment setters and closers, how to foster a work environment that minimizes sales staff turnover, and much more.

HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The key to building trust and rapport with potential customers
• The difference between meeting setters and sale closers
• Do sales gurus matter? 
• The value of learning by selling
• Why start-up founders must learn how to sell
• The art of cold calling and why it still exists
• How to stop salespeople turnover

Connect With Alex:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexbruschi
Website: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ssirl 

From selling cars to helping employees unlock their true earning potential. Keri-Lynne (KL) shares her journey and mission: teaching women (and men) how to advocate for themselves. 

If you're an executive, manager, or employee aspiring for recognition and proper compensation, listen to this podcast and avoid leaving money on the negotiation table. 

KL has been in your shoes. With her candid approach and real-world examples, she discusses negotiation tactics, salary transparency, and the importance of investing in yourself.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Self-advocacy and negotiation skills are crucial for individuals in the corporate world, especially for women.
• Closing the gender pay gap requires advocating for yourself.
• Leadership plays a critical role in inspiring and driving performance in organizations.
• Proving oneself as a high performer is essential before advocating for a raise or promotion. 
• How researching market ranges is critical for salary negotiations
• Talking in ranges rather than specific numbers.
• Why salary transparency and pay equity increase employee engagement and reduce turnover.

Connect with KL:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keri-lynne-shaw
Website: thesalarybump.com
Email: [email protected]

Feeling trapped in a soul-crushing job? Is choosing entrepreneurship your escape from misery? Before you leap into the deceptively unknown, watch this podcast. 

Karen Cooper's YouTube video might be the eye-opener you need.

Karen is an ex-corporate professional and a coach. She shares her raw journey as a working mother juggling it all. She tackles the rarely discussed topic of corporate trauma and its unique impact, especially on women entrepreneurs.

This isn't just another burnout story. Karen's journey is about transformation and rediscovering purpose. She offers honest insights on:

- Shedding outdated identities and limiting beliefs
- Setting crucial boundaries
- Embracing trust to unlock new opportunities

Whether you're a seasoned professional questioning your path or an aspiring entrepreneur seeking validation, Karen's message speaks to anyone who's felt pressured to conform at the expense of their authentic self.

This video isn't about quick fixes. It's a heartfelt look at women's real challenges in the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. Karen proves it's never too late to change course and find fulfillment.

If you crave authenticity and a reminder of your resilience, watch this. Karen's insights might be the gentle nudge you need to live a more aligned, passionate life if you choose entrepreneurship as your new career.

TAKEAWAYS:
➡️ The Silent Career killer: How Corporate Trauma affects women
➡️  Releasing old identities &  limiting beliefs is crucial for personal and professional growth.
➡️  The importance of Trust & Surrender
➡️  Why Entrepreneurship is an option but not an escape from Trauma

Connect with Caren:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carencooper
Email: [email protected]

"The word sales immediately generates an icky feeling." - Ashley Beck Cuellar

If you're a working mom, entrepreneur, small business owner, or anyone focused on growing your business, this podcast is for you. Join me for an exciting and fun conversation with sales expert Ashely Beck Cuellar (pronounced Kway-R), who describes herself as a Sales Mama doing Yoga.

Yes, sales may be 'icky', but without revenue, your business will disappear.

Ashley cautions that sales success is not about closing deals but forging genuine connections and providing exceptional value. We dive into a thought-provoking conversation in which Ashley shares her insights on the art of sales, the power of LinkedIn, and the importance of authenticity in building lasting relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• Cold calling is outdated and ineffective – building relationships and making genuine connections is the key to sales success
• The right way to use LinkedIn to build meaningful connections
• Salespeople should approach sales with empathy and a customer-centric mindset and understand the power of marketing
• Authenticity and genuine interest in helping others are the foundation of successful sales
• Why saying "yes" to everything will set you back from achieving your goals
• How practicing Yoga can impact work-life balance

Connect with Ashley:
LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/ashley-beck-cuellar-6b723a7
Email: [email protected]

Ever wondered how to scale your small business from a million-dollar enterprise to a multi-million-dollar powerhouse? Can you crack the top-line revenue number you've been stuck on? Join me for a dynamic, intimate conversation with growth marketing expert Hamlet Azarian.

From a modest background as the son of a single-mom hairdresser, Hamlet Azarian has carved a unique path, helping startups break through the one-million-dollar revenue barrier. His journey is a testament to the power of real-world experience and data-driven strategies. Discover how his story can inspire and guide you to grow your business.

In this episode, Hamlet Azarian doesn't just share insights; he provides actionable strategies. Learn how to track key metrics, set ambitious goals, and master the art and science of scaling.

A few takeaways from our discussion:

✅ Tracking key metrics is crucial for startups to ensure they are on track to reach their goals.
✅ Goal setting is critical for startups.
✅ Scaling a business requires a combination of art and science. It is important to
     avoid common pitfalls and focus on sustainable growth.
✅ The transition from a million-dollar business to the next level of growth requires
     a mindset shift and a willingness to seek professional coaching and mentoring.
✅ Business success requires hard work, taking risks, and not fearing failure.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:05 From Buyer to Entrepreneur
08:00 Marketing Strategies in the Retail Industry
15:07 Empowering Undocumented Immigrants Through Small Business Loans
24:58 The Influence of Hamlet Azarian's Armenian Heritage
33:30 Introduction and Consumer-Centric Marketing Strategies
36:17 The Science of Marketing and Adjusting to Change
38:26 Tracking Key Metrics and Running Experiments
43:31 The Art of Scaling and Sustainable Growth
50:53 Transitioning from a Million-Dollar Business
59:07 Doing the Hard Work and Taking Risks

Connect with Hamlet:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hamletazarian
Website: hamletazarian.com/

Data analytics is way more exciting than it sounds!

Luke Komiskey, founder of Data Drive, explains how start-up entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of data to challenge assumptions and help them make smarter decisions.

Without tech talk, Luke explains complex concepts like data engineering. Data is like detective work. When done right, it often uncovers growth and profit opportunities, like a science museum that found donors by looking at their data.

Whether you're a data newbie or a business owner looking to up your game, the secret to success often lies right under your feet or in your hard drive.


TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Why data analytics is crucial for small and mid-market organizations
✅ What is Data Engineering
✅ Data can challenge assumptions and help scale a business by providing a
      common foundation for decision-making.
✅ While numbers don't lie, they still need to be interpreted correctly
✅ What is required to ensure data accuracy
✅ One thing Luke has done and encouraged others to do that inspires
      unconventional thinking in life and entrepreneurship.


Takeaways

• Why data analytics is crucial for small and mid-market organizations
• What is Data Engineering
• Data can challenge assumptions and help scale a business by providing a common foundation for decision-making.
• While numbers don't lie, they still need to be interpreted correctly
• What is required to ensure data accuracy
• One thing Luke has done and encouraged others to do that inspires unconventional thinking in life and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Luke:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/komiskey
Website: goDataDrive.com (Company)
Email: [email protected]

This quote sums up Vikram Ekambaram's fascinating journey: "I hated computer science, so when I graduated, I got an MBA in Marketing and thought I wanted to be in marketing and sales. I hated sales, too, and a friend approached me and asked if I wanted to come to the US and be a programmer. I figured now was the time to use my computer science degree." 

Vikram Ekambaram, the founder of Visceral Solutions, has extensive experience working with American Express, Microsoft, Oracle, Tableau, and Gong.  He shares his practical and down-to-earth observations about technology in general and the challenges entrepreneurs, especially in SaaS, face today and in the future. He's also a Gen-AI expert and warns us about jobs in marketing, sales, and customer service that will undergo disruptive changes.

Highlights:

➡️  Why businesses in general and SaaS in particular are having a tough time
       differentiating
➡️  The main reason why Saas subscribers churn (cancel or don't renew their
       subscription)
➡️  The pivotal shift from a focus on acquisition to prioritizing customer
       success. 
➡️  How Generative AI disrupts go-to-market strategies, customer success,
       and outbound sales.
➡️  Which industries are most vulnerable to Gen AI's impact on present and
       future  jobs

Connect with Vik:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vekambar/
Web: http://vizvik.blogspot.com