The Startup Life

In this episode, we talk to Chris Ruder (Founder & CEO of Spikeball, Inc) we discuss his love for the sport, how he is moving his company to be more inclusive, and what he thinks about the prospects of Spikeball becoming an Olympic sport.

Check out Spikeball here.

Spikeball's Facebook page.

**More On Chris**

Chris Ruder is the CEO and Founder of Spikeball Inc. The Jonas Brothers, Drake, Julianne Hough, Ryan Seacrest, 21 Pilots, Casey Neistat, and numerous pro sports teams and players have expressed their love for Spikeball. Spikeball's appearance on Shark Tank was voted as one of the best episodes of all time. ESPN went as far as to say Spikeball is mainstream. Chris started the business in 2008 and ran it as a night job for 5 years while keeping his day job as an Advertising Executive. 5 years after its founding, Spikeball hit $1 million in annual sales with zero full-time employees. At that time, Chris quit his day job and went full-time. That was one of the best days of his life. Spikeball's mission is the create the next great global sport. Tournaments appear on ESPN and take place all over the world. Chris lives in Chicago with his 3 great kids and a fantastic wife. He is on the board of I Grow Chicago and the company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help address gun violence, the environment, and education.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode we talk to Karin Hurt (Leadership Expert & Author) about her new book, how she deals with non-believers of her method, and so much more.

Purchase her book here

Check out her website here

**More On Karin**

Award Winning Author and Inc. Top 100 Leadership Speaker Karin Hurt inspires transformational change through inspiring and practical leadership development programs Recently named on Inc's list of 100 Great Leadership Speakers and American Management Association's 50 Leaders to Watch, Karin Hurt helps leaders from around the world achieve breakthrough results without losing their souls. Karin has over two decades of experience in customer service, sales, and human resources. She's the award-winning author of 3 books: Winning Well: A Manager's Guide to Getting Results-Without Losing Your Soul, Overcoming an Imperfect Boss, and Glowstone Peak (a leadership storybook for readers of all ages). A former Verizon Wireless executive, Karin transformed customer service outsourcing (96M calls/year) to reach parity in quality with internal centers and developed a leading sales team that won the President's Award for Customer Growth. Her keynotes inspire leaders with proven and practical leadership techniques developed over her rich career as an executive, speaker, and strategic advisor. Karin has a BA in Communication from Wake Forest University, an MA from Towson University in Organizational Communication, and additional graduate work at the University of Maryland, where she teaches in the MBA and Executive Education programs. She and her partner, David Dye, are dedicated to their philanthropic initiative, Winning Wells, which provides clean water wells to communities struggling with access to safe water throughout Southeast Asia. Karin lives outside of Washington, DC. She knows the stillness of a yogi, the reflective road of a marathoner, and the joy of being a mom raising emerging leaders.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Christophe Bancel (Founder & CEO of Tissium) as we discuss his company, what he is excited about in his industry, and how he keeps his team motivated during unprecedented times.

Check out Tissium

**More On Christophe**

Mr. Christophe Bancel, M.Sc., M.Eng, M.B.A is co-founder of TISSIUM, a medical device company developing disruptive surgical solutions for patients, based on a versatile platform of polymers developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA). He serves as its Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Since its inception in 2013, Christophe has driven the development of the company leading to the start of clinical trials in 2016 and raising up to €33M.

Mr. Bancel has a track record in the healthcare industry ranging from start-up to midsize Biopharma. He was Franchise General Manager at UCB, leading the Central Nervous System Operations in France. Prior to that, he held several corporate and strategic positions at UCB, including Pricing and Markets Access in the US (Atlanta, GA), Global Marketing (Brussels) and Patient & Market Insight (Brussels). He also worked for Serono (Now Merck Biopharma) in multiple Sales and Marketing positions. He started his career in Biotech, as Business Developer at Transgene (Boston, MA) and then was a co-founder and Director of Corporate & Business Development at Faust Pharmaceuticals (now Domain Therapeutics).

In 2016, with Bernard Gilly, Alexia Perouse and Muriel Badawi, he co-founded iBionext, the first entrepreneurial venture fund in healthcare in Europe, that has raised €50M in less than 6 months with a targeted final closing of €100M in June 2017.

Besides being a co-founder of ChronoCam and Chronolife, two of the iBionext funded companies, he serves as Director of BrainEver.

He is a graduate from Ecole Centrale Paris (Master of Engineering), holds a Master in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Tokyo (Todaï) and an MBA from INSEAD.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Brenda Schmidt (CEO of Coplex) as we discuss what investors are looking for, what it is like being a CEO but not the founder, and more.

Check out Coplex

**More On Brenda**

Brenda Schmidt is the CEO of Coplex, a corporate startup studio that partners with corporations to build high-growth tech companies in highly regulated industries. Brenda previously founded Solera Health and has spent her career educating, speaking, advising, and leading in the name of creating social impact. Deeply embedded into the healthcare startup ecosystem, Brenda is a mentor, advisor and entrepreneur in residence to several accelerators and emerging digital health startups. She also serves on the boards of the Startup AZ Foundation, Solera Health, RexPay, the Arizona Bioindustry Association, the City of Phoenix Workforce Development Board and is a FierceHealth Editorial Board Advisor and Contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine. Brenda also teaches entrepreneurship at the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Kara Goldin (Founder & CEO of Hint) as we discuss how she grew up, why she is not afraid to ask questions, and what it was like for working for Sen. John McCain.

Purchase her book here

Purchase Hint Water here.

**More On Kara**

Kara Goldin is a disruptor, builder, thought leader and a successful entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She has been named one of InStyle's Badass 50, Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Fortune's Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California. The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. Kara has successfully navigated the world of large companies and startups in many industries including media, tech and consumer products. In addition, she understands retail and direct to consumer well. She is an active speaker & writer and hosts the podcast Unstoppable with Kara Goldin where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs and other disruptors across various industries. Kara's first book, Undaunted, published by Harper Leadership, will be released in October 2020. She lives in the Bay Area. Follow Kara on all social handles @KaraGoldin

To learn more visit http://chrissajnog.com.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Chris Sajnog (Former Navy SEAL Sniper) as we discuss leadership, what it takes to be a balanced warrior and more.

**More on Chris**

I'm on a mission. Yes, I know I'm retired, so no more taking out terrorists for me. Now, my mission is changing the way people, like you, learn elite-level skills. Well, that's not right either. The way we reach the top in any skilled endeavor is the same, my mission — is showing you the path. I've spent my life training the world's most elite warriors, the US Navy SEALs. One day I came home from a long deployment and realized my two boys needed me more than the SEAL Teams. After 20 years serving my country, it was time to grow up — and become a father. I've taken my experience as a Master Training Specialist (and writing the US Navy SEAL Sniper Manual) and authored two bestselling books, How to Shoot Like a Navy SEAL and Navy SEAL Shooting, based on the New Rules of Marksmanship. I spent four years studying neuroscience and elite performance to develop a fundamentally unique way to learn how to shoot — the New Rules of Marksmanship training system. I've been lucky to have helped so many people learn a skill that for the past 50-years was taught incorrectly — even by me. Now, I want to help you. Maybe you don't need to hit a moving target at 1000 yards, but the fundamentals for learning any skill can now be done faster and easier at home. Ready to experience what it's like to Train Like a Navy SEAL? To learn more visit http://chrissajnog.com.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Zach Hurley (Co-Founder & CEO of Indie Source) as we discuss his goal to donate 50,000 masks, why he loves helping entrepreneurs, and more.

Check out his website

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Robert Rosenberg (Former Chairman & CEO of Dunkin' Donuts) as we discuss taking over the company from his dad, having an uncomfortable meeting with his board, his new book, and more.

Purchase his book here

**More On Robert**

Robert Rosenberg served as chief executive officer of Dunkin' Donuts from 1963 until his retirement in 1998. Under his leadership, the company grew from a regional family business to one of America's best known and loved brands. Rosenberg received his MBA from Harvard Business School, and in just weeks after graduating at the age of 25, assumed the position of chief executive officer. Dunkin' Donuts was a publicly owned company from 1968 until 1989 and earned a reputation for extraordinary stockholder returns. In that 21-year period, it earned its investors a 35 percent compound rate of return. After retiring from Dunkin, Rosenberg taught in the Graduate School at Babson College and served many years on the boards of directors of other leading food service companies, including Domino's Pizza and Sonic Restaurants.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

**Originally recorded October 9th, 2019**

In this episode we talk to Katherine Liola (Founder & CEO of Concentric Private Wealth) as we discuss the entrepreneurial culture in D.C., being a contributor for CNBC, what you need to do to prepare for next year financially, and more.

Check out her website

**More on Katherine**

Industry credentials are a key aspect of the industry, but Katherine never forgets that above all, this is a people business. She learned early on that helping clients understand why they're making the decisions they make, and aligning their investment strategies with values-based life choices, helps them achieve their financial goals with comfort and clarity.

Katherine was honored by the inaugural InvestmentNews "Top 40 Under 40" list for 20141 and the Washington Business Journal "40 Under 40"2 list in 2017. Her passion for delivering value also earned her recognition in 2017 and 2018 as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional.3 A sought-after industry speaker, Katherine has also been quoted in several national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Woman's Day magazine and InvestmentNews.

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
• CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM)
• AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary®)
• BFA™ (Behavioral Financial Advice™)
• Series 66 securities registrations, held through Commonwealth Financial Network®
• Life and health insurance licenses
• Member of the Financial Planning Association
• BA Boston College

Charitable causes have always been important to Katherine. Even in childhood, her parents instilled a strong sense of community, caring and appreciation. Today, Katherine is grateful for everything the community has given to her – so returning the goodwill comes naturally. Her personal passion, Concentric Cares, is a prime example of that giving back.

• Leadership of Greater Washington Signature Program
• Finance Chair for the Our Lady of Good Counsel High School Board of Directors
• Finance Advisory Board of Directors for the National Communication Association
• Vice Chair of the Success in the City Board of Directors
• Alumni Mentor through the Boston College Mentoring program

Katherine and her husband, David, a sales executive in the IT cyber security space, live in Willowsford, Virginia, with their children: Harper (6), Gannon (4), and Emerson (2). Although weekends might be hectic, Katherine loves spending time with her family – whether it be at a local park, winery, or traveling someplace new. Katherine competes in triathlons and distance running with Team FeXY and finds that training helps her keep up with her children.

• Challenge
• Excellence
• Gratitude
• Health
• Relationships
• Independence

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.

In this episode, we talk to Michael Canic (President Of Making Strategy Happen)as we discuss his new book, how to have tough conversations with organizations, and how to keep a special team working hard and not falling for the hype.

Purchase his book

Check out his website

**More on Michael**

Michael Canic, PhD, is the author of RUTHLESS CONSISTENCY: How Committed Leaders Execute Strategy, Implement Change and Build Organizations That Win (September 1, 2020; McGraw Hill). He is also the founder and president of Making Strategy Happen, a consultancy which helps committed leaders turn ambition into strategy, and strategy into reality. Previously he held leadership positions at The Atlanta Consulting Group and FedEx. Michael earned a PhD in the psychology of human performance from the University of British Columbia and helped coach their football team to a national championship, led strategic change initiatives in the corporate world, and spent the past 25 years consulting with CEOs and top management teams across North America. He lives between Denver and Vancouver and has written over 400 posts for his blog.

Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com

Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page

Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear!

Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network.

Written by: Dominic Lawson

Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson

Music Credits:

**Show Theme**

Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

**Break Theme**

Cielo - Huma-Huma

**Sponsors/Partners**

Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts. You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/.