What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more human—but is still designed to help rather than replace us?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, professor, researcher, and founder behind Ryan, an AI-powered assistive robot designed to support caregivers and improve quality of life.

Mohammad shares his journey from electrical engineering and early work in computer vision and facial recognition to studying human behavior and ultimately developing assistive robotics.

We talk about what it takes to turn years of research into a real business, the challenges of fundraising and building a team, and why resilience and the willingness to pivot have been critical throughout his 12-year startup journey.

We also dive into Ryan—an assistive robot capable of natural conversation, recognizing facial expressions and emotions, providing companionship, exercise and entertainment, and supporting caregivers in assisted-living environments.

It’s a conversation about AI, robotics, entrepreneurship, resilience, and keeping humanity at the center of technological innovation.

Learn more about Mohammad Mahoor and his work at dreamfacetech.com.

If you would like to learn more about Jet Bunditwong and this podcast, check out personalsideofbusiness.com

What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more human—but is still designed to help rather than replace us?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, professor, researcher, and founder behind Ryan, an AI-powered assistive robot designed to support caregivers and improve quality of life.

Mohammad shares his journey from electrical engineering and early work in computer vision and facial recognition to studying human behavior and ultimately developing assistive robotics.

We talk about what it takes to turn years of research into a real business, the challenges of fundraising and building a team, and why resilience and the willingness to pivot have been critical throughout his 12-year startup journey.

We also dive into Ryan—an assistive robot capable of natural conversation, recognizing facial expressions and emotions, providing companionship, exercise and entertainment, and supporting caregivers in assisted-living environments.

It’s a conversation about AI, robotics, entrepreneurship, resilience, and keeping humanity at the center of technological innovation.

Learn more about Mohammad Mahoor and his work at dreamfacetech.com.

If you would like to learn more about Jet Bunditwong and this podcast, check out personalsideofbusiness.com

When Amy and Josh Baker’s daughter Grace graduated from high school, she wanted the same things as her friends: a job, greater independence and a place where she belonged.

Grace, who has Down syndrome, struggled to find meaningful employment. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, the Baker family decided to create one.

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Amy Baker to share the inspiring story behind Pizzabilities—a San Diego restaurant creating meaningful jobs for people of all abilities.

Amy opens up about starting a restaurant with no food-service experience, partnering with Ron Burner and the Nicolosi’s restaurant family, and expanding from one location to two in a matter of months. She also discusses the overwhelming demand for inclusive employment, the realities of running a mission-driven business and why great intentions still need strong operations and quality products behind them.

The conversation explores how Pizzabilities trains employees according to their individual strengths, works alongside families and caregivers, and helps people experience the confidence that comes with earning their first paycheck and contributing to a team.

What began as a way to create a future for Grace has grown into something much bigger—a business showing its community what people can accomplish when given a genuine opportunity.

Learn more about Pizzabilities at https://www.pizzabilities.com/.

IG@pizzabilities_

You can learn more about the podcast at personalsideofbusiness.com

Also get a free quote for your business with Ergo Next Insurance at https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

When Amy and Josh Baker’s daughter Grace graduated from high school, she wanted the same things as her friends: a job, greater independence and a place where she belonged.

Grace, who has Down syndrome, struggled to find meaningful employment. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, the Baker family decided to create one.

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Amy Baker to share the inspiring story behind Pizzabilities—a San Diego restaurant creating meaningful jobs for people of all abilities.

Amy opens up about starting a restaurant with no food-service experience, partnering with Ron Burner and the Nicolosi’s restaurant family, and expanding from one location to two in a matter of months. She also discusses the overwhelming demand for inclusive employment, the realities of running a mission-driven business and why great intentions still need strong operations and quality products behind them.

The conversation explores how Pizzabilities trains employees according to their individual strengths, works alongside families and caregivers, and helps people experience the confidence that comes with earning their first paycheck and contributing to a team.

What began as a way to create a future for Grace has grown into something much bigger—a business showing its community what people can accomplish when given a genuine opportunity.

Learn more about Pizzabilities at https://www.pizzabilities.com/.

IG@pizzabilities_

You can learn more about the podcast at personalsideofbusiness.com

Also get a free quote for your business with Ergo Next Insurance at https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

Can you build a thriving business and still have the freedom to enjoy your life? Gary Mitchell believes you can have both.

For more than two decades, Gary has helped law firm owners strengthen their businesses, develop effective teams, and create greater freedom outside of work. In this episode, he joins Jet Bunditwong to discuss the principles behind his book, The AND Approach: How to Grow Your Law Firm and Gain More Freedom.

Gary explains how business owners can identify their greatest strengths, hire the right people, delegate without micromanaging, and create systems that allow the business to operate without depending on them for every decision. He also discusses the mindset shift required to move from being a skilled professional to becoming an effective business owner and leader.

In this episode:

Learn more about Gary Mitchell and his coaching at OnTrackCoach.com. His book, The AND Approach: How to Grow Your Law Firm AND Gain More Freedom, is available on Amazon in print and Kindle editions.

Check out videos and articles at personalsideofbusiness.com

Get a quote with Ergo Next Business Insurance for your business.

https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

Can you build a thriving business and still have the freedom to enjoy your life? Gary Mitchell believes you can have both.

For more than two decades, Gary has helped law firm owners strengthen their businesses, develop effective teams, and create greater freedom outside of work. In this episode, he joins Jet Bunditwong to discuss the principles behind his book, The AND Approach: How to Grow Your Law Firm and Gain More Freedom.

Gary explains how business owners can identify their greatest strengths, hire the right people, delegate without micromanaging, and create systems that allow the business to operate without depending on them for every decision. He also discusses the mindset shift required to move from being a skilled professional to becoming an effective business owner and leader.

In this episode:

Learn more about Gary Mitchell and his coaching at The AND Approach: How to Grow Your Law Firm AND Gain More Freedom, is available on Amazon in print and Kindle editions.

Check out videos and articles at personalsideofbusiness.com

Get a quote with Ergo Next Business Insurance for your business.

https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

What if growing a successful company meant saying no to Amazon, no to fear-based marketing, and yes to helping small businesses thrive?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of Dip, to discuss how she built one of the fastest-growing sustainable hair care brands by challenging nearly every traditional business rule. From knocking on doors at independent retailers across the country to refusing to undercut local stores online, Kate shares why purpose and profitability don't have to compete.

They also dive into product development, customer trust, overcoming major business setbacks, and why empathy can be one of the strongest competitive advantages a company has.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, retailer, or someone passionate about building a business that makes a real impact, this conversation is full of practical insights and inspiration.

If you would like to purchase Dip haircare products, please check out the link below. 

dipalready.com

To support the Surfrider Foundation and learn what they are doing to protect the planet, www.surfrider.org

To check out more episodes and learn about The Personal Side of Business, www.personalsideofbusiness.com

For a free insurance quote for your business, check out Ergo Next Insurance at Get an Ergo Next Insurance Quote

https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

What if growing a successful company meant saying no to Amazon, no to fear-based marketing, and yes to helping small businesses thrive?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of Dip, to discuss how she built one of the fastest-growing sustainable hair care brands by challenging nearly every traditional business rule. From knocking on doors at independent retailers across the country to refusing to undercut local stores online, Kate shares why purpose and profitability don't have to compete.

They also dive into product development, customer trust, overcoming major business setbacks, and why empathy can be one of the strongest competitive advantages a company has.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, retailer, or someone passionate about building a business that makes a real impact, this conversation is full of practical insights and inspiration.

If you would like to purchase Dip haircare products, please check out the link below. 

dipalready.com

To support the Surfrider Foundation and learn what they are doing to protect the planet, www.surfrider.org

To check out more episodes and learn about The Personal Side of Business, www.personalsideofbusiness.com

For a free insurance quote for your business, check out Ergo Next Insurance at Get an Ergo Next Insurance Quote

https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

What does it take to build a trusted, high-end staffing agency serving celebrities, professional athletes, and high-profile families?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Rebecca Stewart, Founder and CEO of VIP Nannies & Household Staffing, to explore her incredible journey from working as a nanny to building one of the nation's premier luxury household staffing agencies. Rebecca shares how a chance opportunity, a small business loan, and unwavering determination transformed into a thriving, award-winning business celebrating nearly two decades of success.

Rebecca opens up about scaling a people-centered business, hiring for elite households, matching personalities over résumés, navigating the challenges of COVID, and why service mentality matters more than anything else. They also dive into leadership, coaching youth sports, entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from working with some of the world's most successful families.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, parent, or simply fascinated by the world behind luxury household staffing, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, growth, and building a business rooted in trust.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Rebecca turned a nanny job into a nationally recognized business

Connect with Rebecca Stewart and VIP Nannies & Household Staffing:

Subscribe to The Personal Side of Business for more authentic conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who share the stories behind their success.

personalsideofbusiness.com

What does it take to build a trusted, high-end staffing agency serving celebrities, professional athletes, and high-profile families?

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Rebecca Stewart, Founder and CEO of VIP Nannies & Household Staffing, to explore her incredible journey from working as a nanny to building one of the nation's premier luxury household staffing agencies. Rebecca shares how a chance opportunity, a small business loan, and unwavering determination transformed into a thriving, award-winning business celebrating nearly two decades of success.

Rebecca opens up about scaling a people-centered business, hiring for elite households, matching personalities over résumés, navigating the challenges of COVID, and why service mentality matters more than anything else. They also dive into leadership, coaching youth sports, entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from working with some of the world's most successful families.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, parent, or simply fascinated by the world behind luxury household staffing, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, growth, and building a business rooted in trust.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Rebecca turned a nanny job into a nationally recognized business

Connect with Rebecca Stewart and VIP Nannies & Household Staffing:

Subscribe to The Personal Side of Business for more authentic conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who share the stories behind their success.

personalsideofbusiness.com