The Pivotal Leader

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader, Gina Trimarco interviewed Michael Amini, CEO and Founder of Amini Furniture. Amini Furniture is one of the largest furniture companies in the world known for original, high quality and intricately designed home furnishings.

Originally from Iran, Michael Amini has lived all over the world, spending most of his life outside of his home country. With an education and short career in engineering, Michael discovered his passion for fashion and entrepreneurship. When he realized how challenging the fashion design world was to fund, he got a job as a furniture salesperson. It's then that he realized his true love for designing furniture to help people create sanctuaries in their homes and to exemplify their personalities.

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader you'll learn about his passion to connect people to culture through furniture, to turn furniture into a passion versus a commodity, and much more …

Subscribe to the podcast on: iTunes | Stitcher

Podcast Topics Include:

• The challenge of designing furniture for a global marketplace
• Managing employees all over the world
• Attracting talent by becoming "well-known and successful"
• Hiring people for their talent before you actually need them
• Changing the product because you can't change the people
• Finding inspiration in EVERYTHING to develop new products
• Being well traveled to be successful as a global company
• Leadership Must-Haves: Respect for others, taking risks and moving quickly

Full Show Notes: http://www.pivot10results.com/episode-27-the-pivotal-leader-michael-amini

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader, Gina Trimarco interviewed Ambar Januel, acclaimed contemporary artist, creative director, and the co-founder of Januel+Johnson.

Her well-documented travels and unique perspective on life has led to an illustrious career. During her childhood she traveled often with her family, moving from place to place like artistic hippie nomads. From the jungles of Mexico to the frozen mountains of Vermont, Ambar embarked on journey after journey that would leave a lasting-mark on her artistic sensibilities. Her eclectic style presents a reflective growth of the adventures where she shifted between art and fashion, utilizing her intuitive mindset and artistic skills to help various fashion startups develop their vision.

Now, Ambar continues to grow her artistic catalogue and provide creative strategies for brands and professionals through her business.

Subscribe to the podcast on: iTunes | Stitcher

Podcast Topics Include:

• How travel experiences and exposure to cultures can shape businesses
• Managing a team of creative artists
• Creating systems and processes to figure out and avoid "time wasters"
• How the fashion industry impacts marketing trends
• Attracting clients through speaking and networking instead of traditional advertising
• The power journalists have on brands
• Selling services that cannot promise ROI
• The need for sales teams, beyond marketing

Full Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode-26-pivotal-leader-ambar-januel/

"As a growth company, what you were doing yesterday is not what you're going to be doing today and what you're doing today is not going to work tomorrow." – Keith Walters, President, Axiometrics

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader, Gina Trimarco interviewed Keith Walters, President of Axiometrics, a high-growth provider of apartment market and student housing research and analysis.

Keith has grown Axiometrics from approximately 30 employees to more than 110, largely attributable to the core strategies and corporate values he implemented. He has spent more than 25 years successfully growing businesses with an entrepreneurial focus. At Axiometrics, he is responsible for guiding the company in a rapid growth path and overseeing the daily activities that strengthen the company's vision.

With his help, Axiometrics attracts the brightest talent focused on continuous quality improvement for data-driven products and services.

Podcast Topics Include:

• What it means to be a "culture first" organization
• The difference between core values and core behaviors, why it matters and how to apply them to scale growth
• Having an "open wall" policy
• Hiring right for growth
• Transitioning an entrepreneurial, lifestyle company into a fast growth company
• Why it's important to learn how to "let go" to grow
• Where to connect with other leaders, advisors and mentors

Books you should be reading: eMyth, Rocket Fuel, Rockefeller Habits

Full Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode-25-pivotal-leader-keith-walters/

"It's not practice that makes the difference – it's perfect practice that does." – Justin Irizarry

Justin Irizarry, CFO of OrthoNow is NOT the stereotypical CFO. His innovative ability to start the nation's only franchised orthopedic urgent care center is supported by his belief that employees are the biggest asset on the balance sheet.

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader, Gina Trimarco interviews this dynamic entrepreneur, who started as an investment banker on Wall Street and was recently named CFO of the Year and 40 under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. A Wharton MBA, he partnered with Dr. Alejandro Badia to create the OrthoNOW business model. The concept achieves the industry's quadruple aim - lower cost, better outcomes, improved patient experiences and enhanced provider outcomes in the 42 billion dollar orthopedic care industry.

Podcast Topics Include:

• How OrthoNow came to fruition
• Taking an idea to concept testing to franchise model
• Breaking the status quo in the patient care business model
• Taking advantage of market demand to change behavior for patient care
• Disrupting an industry where consumers aren't the ones paying the for services rendered and providers don't know what they're getting paid for those services
• Creating good will that leads to referrals in an industry where a high percentage of customers don't pay.
• Attracting top talent by being interesting instead of hiring just to fill a position
• Creating a fun culture that impacts patients AND employees
• Raw vs Emotional Intelligence

Full Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode-24-pivotal-leader-justin-irizarry/

"There are times when you need to reposition conflict in a way that may not feel as comfortable in your business relationship but the outcome at the end of the day is going to be stronger." – Julie Smith, President, Homewatch CareGivers

In this episode of The Pivotal Leader, Gina Trimarco interviewed Leann Reynolds, CEO, and Julie Smith, President and COO, of The Homewatch CareGivers franchise network, the premier provider of home care worldwide. Together, Leann and Julie share their story about how a family business, turned franchise, has grown to the next level by bringing in a new leader (Julie) from the "outside". Listen in to learn ….

Podcast Topics Include:

• Mistakes made and successes achieved in business growth
• Scaling a franchise model that started as a family business
• Passing the power from a family owner to a non-family member
• The importance of company mission to attract talent
• Best practices for leadership transition plans
• Being mindful and purposeful in making decisions for what employees and franchisees need and want
• Balancing opportunities while not making sudden changes
• The need to ask every employee and franchisee "What have we done well and not so well?"
• The difference between being a "support" versus "growth" partner as a franchisor
• "Who" is in your database when it's time to grow and hire?
• Involving everyone in your organization in the hiring process
• The importance of bringing on people who have been where you want to go, not where you have been

Full Show Notes:http://pivot10results.com/episode-23-pivotal-leader-homewatch-caregivers-franchise-network/

Gina Trimarco spoke with Tahaji Felder, CEO of the Goose & Gander Brand. From an accounting career to social entrepreneur, Tahaji will inspire you with her passion for purpose and remind some of you more tenured entrepreneurs why you do what you do!

Tahaji Felder had no plans on becoming a social entrepreneur. Equipped with a Master's Degree in International Business from Nova Southeastern University under her arm, and a love of fashion, she made a conscious decision to go beyond the status quo, say yes to her dream, & launch Goose & Gander Brand in September 2015.

Goose & Gander Brand is a lifestyle brand that exists to inspire others to pursue their passion. She knew she wanted to create a bigger impact but was held back by fear. She launched the brand after a long career in finance, and getting laid off from her corporate job as an accountant.

Subscribe to the podcast on: iTunes | Stitcher

Podcast Topics Include:

• Fear is the #1 dream killer
• What it takes to be a start-up business
• How "Corporate America" could do a better job with employee retention
• How to turn employees into fans of your company by putting the employee "first, first"
• Why "big box" stores are suffering
• The rise of "pop up shops" for customer connection
• Selling "movements" and purposes
• Having a "give back" strategy like the EmpowerYOU Series with One Page Closer

Full Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode-22-pivot…er-tahaji-felder/

Gina Trimarco spoke with CJ Johnson, CEO and founder of the LA-based, award-winning digital agency, Januel+Johnson (J+J). A true creative who started out as a filmmaker, CJ is also an influencer who uses the power of story and narrative to shape his company's culture and the cultures of the brands he serves at his boutique agency, that he doesn't really like to call an agency; his agency is more of a "collective think tank" that helps builds brands throughout the world.

Among other accolades, CJ has been featured in publications such as Huffington Post, Fast Company, Forbes, Vice … and now The Pivotal Leader!

Subscribe to the podcast on: iTunes | Stitcher

Podcast Topics Include:

• Knowing what you stand for to help your clients succeed
• The power of creative narrative in marketing
• Utilizing mystery and allure to attract a specific clientele
• How Hollywood and the fashion world can teach you how to negotiate, stretch a budget and compete in a world of judgmental people
• Having a strategy in marketing, including the need to niche
• Being a "taste maker" and trend setter
• Today's political climate, boycotts and the fleeting strategy of being "mean spirited"
• Finding success by being outspoken

Full Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode21-the-pivotal-leader-cj-johnson

Gina Trimarco had a lively conversation with Paul Jarrett, CEO of Bulu Box, a "discovery e-commerce" product. Bulu Box is a pioneer in their industry; Paul started out in the ad agency world (think "Mad Men") and is a pioneer in the subscription box industry; one of the first in a market of 5,000+ subscription boxes. Subscription boxes have grown 3000% since 2012. You might be surprised by what he inspired him to enter this industry!

One of Paul's core values is "Fire the assholes" – a key learning from his time in the ad world. Even more pivotal is his perspective on how to retroactively change a negative company culture. Hint: It starts with you, the leader.

"If you want to change the culture, it starts with self-awareness."

– Paul Jarrett, CEO, Bulu Box

Podcast Topics Include:

• The fast growth of the subscription box industry
• The importance of data acquisition to scale businesses
• What causes negative company cultures
• How to retroactively build a better company culture
• The danger of perfectionism in business
• Having an "Athletic Recruiting" mentality for talent acquisition
• Managing frustrations with "The One-On-One Vent Session"

Full Show Notes: http://www.Pivot10Results.com/episode20-the-pivotal-leader-paul-jarrett

Gina Trimarco spoke with her "business girl crush" Charlie Fusco, CEO and Creative Mastermind of Synergixx, a full service direct response agency, a company she founded, nearly lost and grew to success in the past 17 years (while being a mom and wife). Her success can be attributed to her philosophy of "You can be a little bit of a hot mess, as long as the results are there."

Named a Top SmartCeo by Brava, Top CEO Under 40, and known as a major business influencer for entrepreneurs in her region, Charlie Fusco provides business coaching and advice to her growing followers on ThatGirCharlie.com, her social media channels, and her CEO Powercast Radio Show.

Charlie has authored four books including her latest Brains, Boobs, & Balls: Life Lessons Any Female Entrepreneur Can Follow. The title alone is what got Gina interested in interviewing her.

In this episode, they discuss customer and employee acquisition, excel spread sheets, orgasms and overcoming F words.

Podcast Topics Include:

• "Fly By The Seat Of Your Pants" Culture and why it works
• The two most important questions you should be asking your clients AND employees
• How to become a company where clients say, "How do we get to work with you?"
• Creating a "voice" around the company
• Setting up your own "Access To Resources" to scale a business
• The difference between flat squirrels and fat squirrels – aim to be FAT!
• Why waiting to write perfection job descriptions will cost you top talent
• Introducing employees for their next jobs and bosses
• The importance of orgasms and excel spread sheets to be a successful CEO
• Marketing lessons for writing a book

Shownotes:

http://pivot10results.com/episode-19-pivot…er-charlie-fusco/

From soda bottle recycling entrepreneur at the age of six to senior executive leader responsible for billions of dollars for the Coca Cola Company, Terence Chatmon has served in senior executive leadership roles with Johnson & Johnson, Citibank and Coca Cola. Terence is a transformational leader amongst senior executives and CEOs. He is a successful entrepreneur and has served as President and CEO of global non-profit organizations.

He now serves as President and CEO of Fellowship of Companies for Christ International, (FCCI) a fellowship of executive leaders in 92 countries. In his role, he is leading unprecedented efforts to equip and encourage leaders in small, medium and large size companies. FCCI is known around the world for their global platform, world class annual international conference, rich library of business leadership resources and their transformational Kingdom Leader and Kingdom Company model.

In addition to his leadership at FCCI, Terence has recently written and published his first book, "Do Your Children Believe? Becoming Intentional about your Family's Faith and Spiritual Legacy," available now from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Podcast Topics Include:

• What he learned about leadership from Johnson & Johnson CEO James Burke during the Tylenol crisis of 1982
• Why wearing burgundy and powder blue suits wasn't a good idea at Arthur Andersen during the 80s – learning how to "dress the part"
• The importance of taking personal time to invest in people
• Whether or not it's possible for leaders to teach work ethic
• The five phases of an organizational life cycle
• Biblical principles in the workplace
• The power of parenting that shapes leaders

Show Notes: http://pivot10results.com/episode-18-pivot…-terence-chatmon/