The Wow Factor

Dr. Dato Kim Tan is a successful biotech entrepreneur, global social impact pioneer, and an advocate of changing how Christian entrepreneurs can make a difference around the globe. Kim is the co-founder of Transformational Business Network (TBN), a network of over 2,000 business people who bring about community transformation through sustainable business solutions to poverty. TBN projects include the Kuzuko Game Reserve (South Africa) and the Hagar Social Enterprise Group (Cambodia). Kim co-authored the book Fighting Poverty through Enterprise: The Case for Social Venture Capital with Lord Brian Griffiths, the Vice-Chairman of Goldman Sachs, and wrote Jubilee Gospel which starts with the Old Testament institution Jubilee and traces related themes through the rest of the Bible.

Kim Tan shares his philosophy on finding purpose in work on the Wow Factor podcast and describes why he believes that whatever your business, there is space to be creative and innovative. He discusses why he finds more satisfaction now than ever in the work he does because he has locked into his purpose, even though finding that purpose took a while. Kim also shares how the Transformational Business Network (TBN) inspires others to build businesses the right way and gives his insights on the key qualities of a leader.

"I think work is wired into all of us. I think we've done some things in our society that have added a lot of layers of distraction." - Kim Tan

"If you can find purpose and fulfillment in the work that you do, then that's a blessing." - Kim Tan

"If you don't hire people who are smarter than yourself, you can never grow the business." - Kim Tan

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Kim has hard work in his DNA and what he learned from helping with his father's business in Malaysia
• Kim's educational journey in the UK and why he started his company
• What Kim is really looking for when he looks at CVs that cross his desk and the four qualities he prizes in team members
• Why he needs to be prompted to relax, but why its an essential part of staying productive
• Why we should encourage leaders to never be afraid to say 'I was wrong'
• How to go about creating a culture where a business can grow
• How Kim gives back to communities through his philanthropic work in Africa and some of the high-profile guests that have appreciated his game reserve

Kim Tan's Words of Wisdom:

As Christians, we only have one model of leadership, and that's the servant leader model. As leaders, we should learn how to speak humbly, how to lead humbly, how to live humbly, and most importantly, how to admit when you're wrong.

Connect with Kim Tan:

• Transformational Business Network (TBN) Website
• Transformational Business Network (TBN) on LinkedIn
• Transformational Business Network (TBN) on Facebook

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Gail Seymour "Hal" Halvorsen (born October 10, 1920) is a retired senior officer and command pilot in the United States Air Force. He is best known as the "Berlin Candy Bomber" or "Uncle Wiggly Wings" and gained fame for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949. Hal grew up in rural Utah and earned his private pilot's license in 1941 before joining the Civil Air Patrol, then the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. During the Berlin Airlift, he initiated 'Operation Little Vittles' to raise morale in Berlin by dropping candy via parachutes to the city's children.

Today on the Wow Factor, Colonel Halvorsen shares some of the leadership lessons he has learned during his 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He explains how he came to be in Germany after WW2, some of the problems local people encountered, and how he and his fellow pilots let the local kids know which airplane had the candy bars in. Colonel Halvorsen also describes his three-pronged philosophy on life and leadership and how he has used it to inspire others over the years.

"Put yourself in the position of the receiver of what you say; how will they interpret this based on who they are?" - Colonel Halvorsen

"Gratitude is key to human relations." - Colonel Halvorsen

"Attitude, gratitude, and service before self." - Colonel Halvorsen

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Colonel Halvorsen's entrepreneurial spirit and how he earned pocket money as a teen in Utah
• What his upbringing taught him about giving to others
• How the German children correspond with the pilots to ensure they go some candy
• Some of the Presidents that Colonel Halvorsen has met over the years What were some things you learned about those leaders? Well,
• Some of the most important things that Colonel Halvorsen has learned over his 30 years in the Air Force
• How he has taken his story and encouraged other people since leaving the Air Force
• Key things Colonel Halvorsen has learned about leadership over the years
• What gratitude looks like for Colonel Halvorsen

Colonel Halvorsen's Words of Wisdom:

Some leaders are more successful than others — they listen to what should be done, not what's popular but what should be done here to make life better for everybody. Get to the meat of the thing, and that's the need; it should always come back to the need.

Connect with Colonel Halvorsen:

• The Berlin Candy Bomber by Gail S. Halvorsen

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

William Wang, founder, and CEO of VIZIO, survived the crash of Singapore Airlines Flight 006 in 2000 suffering only carbon monoxide poisoning. The tragedy provided an opportunity for him to reorganize his thoughts and his life, and within two years, he had closed down all of his previous businesses before entering the television market in 2002 with VIZIO Inc. William has won numerous awards, including the 2012 USC Alumni Merit Award, the 2012 Forum for Corporate Director's Award for Enhancement of Economic Value, the 2012 Orange County Business Journal Board of Achievement, and 2010 Forbes 25 most notable Chinese Americans.

Today on the podcast William shares more about the pivotal moment that made him rethink his life and his businesses and decide to build something new. He discusses why all our past experiences, even those that push you backward are all learning experiences that you can use going forward. William also dives into why VIZIO made it their mission to make affordable technology at an accessible price point, and what it felt like to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange when he took the company public in 2020.

"You can't grow if you don't dare." - William Wang

"You got to pick your field, right? — for me it was about building a company, building a legacy, building enterprises bigger than me." - William Wang

"Trust builds the foundation of luck" - William Wang

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• When the entrepreneurial juices were started to flow in William
• How he got his first big idea working as a computer technical support engineer teaching people how to use their IBM compatible monitor
• How being a problem-solver helped William make the leap into becoming CEO of his own business
• What William decided to do when his company seemed to be tumbling down around him
• Why William's micromanagement habit hampered his company's success and how he learned to outsource
• How William came to be onboard Singapore Airlines Flight 006 and the three things that went through his mind in what he thought were his last moments alive
• Products that are being released by VIZIO and how they're making life better for people

William Wang's Words of Wisdom:

Treat the people around you well — if you want to be good in business, you've got to be lucky, and trust and great relationships are the foundation of luck.

Connect with William Wang:

• VIZIO Website
• VIZIO on Instagram
• VIZIO on Facebook

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Ron Sciarro oversees leadership development, training, and operations strategy to assist franchise owners and their senior leadership teams with the execution of franchise systems within the Aqua-Tots core values across 100+ Aqua-Tots Swim Schools locations in 14 countries. Paul Preston oversees strategic planning, growth, and franchise development of all Aqua-Tots swim school openings worldwide. The pair have also co-founded Legacy Adventures, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for fathers to connect with their children through organized outdoor activities, and are also co-founders of The Scuba Shop, and KTR, the Indoor Action Sports Playground franchise.

On the podcast today Ron and Paul share the journey they went on to become joint owners of Aqua-Tots and why they both felt it was destined to happen. The duo discusses their first experience of working with an international franchisee and the amazing lessons they learned about the importance of building relationships from the experience. They also share why they are so committed to a generosity mindset and how Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serve their various communities.

"Ron's just the most remarkable visionary that you'd ever be around and sees the future before it gets there." - Paul Preston

"We choose relationships over profits." - Paul Preston

"Intuitively, we all are set in our ways and we all know every man's right in his own mind - and part of what the Lord has allowed us to do, is come alongside people in their most stressful times." - Ron Sciarro

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Ron and Paul were looking for an opportunity to serve their community when they decided to franchise the swim school
• Their mentors in leading franchises and why the pair had to carefully consider whether it was the right path for them
• The seven core values of all of the Aqua-Tots locations, how they were devised, and why they are so relevant to the swim school's everyday practice
• The joy Ron and Paul see in having their families be part of the business and share in the everyday details
• How the Aqua-Tots experience is different from other childrens' swimming lessons
• How the business kept kids and families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
• How Paul and Ron navigate the everyday details of their partnership so successfully
• Why they are so committed to a generosity mindset for the business

Paul Preston's Words of Wisdom:

Find what it is you love to do, and just do it with complete excellence.

Ron Sciarro's Words of Wisdom:

People matter and you need to carve out time to walk with people and connect meaningfully with them.

Connect with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools:

• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Website
• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools on Instagram
• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools on Facebook
• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools on YouTube

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Bert Lindsay started his Honda Motorcycle dealership in 1973 at the height of the oil embargo in the USA, which made a considerable impact on the business's success in its early years. The company started out with 20 employees and has since grown to employ over 250 and counting. Bert and his two sons Dustin and Steve now run the business and attribute their continued success to their innovative management approach and commitment to the education and development of their team.

Today on The Wow Factor podcast, Bert discusses why he got fired early in his career for making too much money and how that inspired him to become an entrepreneur. He shares why, unusually for the car business, Lindsay Honda is closed on Sundays and why they value a teachability mindset in the business. Bert also outlines his philosophy on how the company should serve their employees, their team, and their customers.

"Pleasing the customer is really one of the Golden Rules of today's businesses." - Bert Lindsay

"We focus on having an environment that the employees enjoy working in." - Bert Lindsay

"We've never been about the money. We're about the serving — and if you serve well, then you're going to receive." - Bert Lindsay

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• When Bert saw a need for a different type of motorcycle dealership
• How Bert expanded his business according to local needs
• What Bert does to connect with people who work in his dealerships
• How he gave his sons the opportunity to join him in the business and why it's essential to play to individual strengths
• How Bert separates out his roles as 'boss' and 'dad' and why it is important to have that division in a family business
• How Lindsay Honda are managing to keep their employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
• How Bert manages to meet customer expectation in the company and why his team go the extra mile to make their customers happy
• Bert's work with the young people in his community and how he's hoping to be a force for transformation

Bert Lindsay's Words of Wisdom:

Action is a sign of your intelligence — the more you do, the smarter you get. Success doesn't mean that you're smarter than your counterparts; successful people simply outwork out, think and outperform other people — they get results.

Connect with Bert Lindsay:

• Lindsay Honda Website
• Lindsay Honda on Facebook
• Lindsay Honda on Instagram

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Founder of Rustic Cuff and author of The Kindness Effect: Experience the Power of Irrational Giving, Jill Donovan graduated from Oral Roberts University and went on to earn her law degree from the University of Tulsa. She was a practicing attorney and adjunct law professor at TU when her passion for cuff bracelets, and her need to refill her 'gift closet' led her to begin Rustic Cuff. Jill's heart for people and community has spilled over into her amazing company and Rustic Cuff has been able to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to communities and charitable causes over the years. Jill is a sought-after motivational speaker who encourages people to pursue their passions, fulfill their God-given purpose, and always pay it forward!

On the Wow Factor today Jill describes her passion for kindness and generosity and the ways in which she has put that into practice from the age of 10 until today. She shares why she didn't initially want to pursue leadership opportunities or become an entrepreneur and how God gently led her in the right direction to best use her talents. Jill also shares why it's so important in her life to start her day by checking in with God in quiet and peace and asking for direction and instruction for that day.

"When God speaks and you don't listen, he'll speak again and keep tapping." - Jill Donovan

"I realized when you give people the opportunity to give when they might not have otherwise done so it opens up a whole new world for them." - Jill Donovan

"The more you immediately start saying yes to when your 'knower' knows - it becomes habitual." - Jill Donovan

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Jill's joyous upbringing and her dreams for the future as a child

• What Jill did to explore what God was calling her to do in life
• Why she took a sabbatical from her career as a divorce attorney to find something that fulfilled her spiritually
• How Jill got onto the Oprah Winfrey Show seeking her true purpose with a fun family story and the moment she nearly cried on stage
• The idea that God dropped on her that reignited her creative passions
• The beautiful story that prompted Jill to ramp up her bracelet making and commit to the giving lifestyle
• Why Jill decided to write The Kindness Effect despite never wanting to be an author, and the moment that finally made her put pen to paper
• Why Jill leads in the unique way she does and how a supportive generous team build an effective leadership environment

Jill Donovan's Words of Wisdom:

Just because you can doesn't mean you should - there's a lot you can do when you're leading a company and it's growing, and you have all kinds of people. But just because you have the ability or capability to do something doesn't mean you're called to do that particular thing.

Connect with Jill Donovan:

• Rustic Cuff Website
• Rustic Cuff on Instagram
• Rustic Cuff on Facebook
• Rustic Cuff on YouTube

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Charles Antis, Founder, and CEO of Antis Roofing began his successful career in the roofing industry in 1984, after moving to Southern California from Provo, Utah where he attended Brigham Young University. Charles serves on the board of directors of the National Roofing Contractors Association, is a member of the Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, and serves on the board of directors and advisory councils for several non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity Orange County and Ronald McDonald House Orange County.

Today on the podcast Charles shares the joyful moment that he had during his Church Mission to Thailand, how it changed his idea of what service was, and how it could impact the lives of others. He describes the game-changing situation that altered his mindset taking his fledgling roofing company forward. Charles also explores the idea of vulnerability in business, how it helps us serve others, and why he is so passionate about supporting local charities, particularly during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

"As your world progresses and your brain and your frame, your frame is different. You can expect to see things and hold things differently. And I really recommend people go back into their story." - Charles Antis

"I remind myself to be curious daily." - Charles Antis

"Let's share everything that we have that's working, and then together, we'll make it a better world." - Charles Antis

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Charles felt he didn't fit it at school and how he found his niche in life
• Why he quit his first sales job and went to work for a roofing company, and the family who changed his trajectory
• Why Charles believes it's a beautiful thing when a company sees itself as a steward in the community
• What pulls people, staff, and customers alike to Antis Roofing, and how they're creating an adaptive workforce
• Why vulnerability is the key to being authentic in the moment.
• Charles' setback story and why it's something he gets encouraged from
• Why Charles' was keen to partner with other local brands to bring food and supplies to frontline workers in his local area and why he is so committed to fostering an atmosphere of generosity in his business

Charles Antis' Words of Wisdom:

Vulnerability is the currency of social good. It's real, it's tangible, and it's a light that can shine out — let's share strategies for success, and together, we can make a better world.

Connect with Antis Roofing:

• Antis Roofing Website
• Antis Roofing on Instagram
• Antis Roofing on Facebook
• Antis Roofing on Twitter

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Bobby Gruenewald joined the Life.Church staff in 2001, and along with Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel, he helped launch MySecret.tv in 2006, an online forum that allows users to anonymously confess secrets. Bobby is passionate about exploring new ideas and finding practical ways to leverage them for the global Church. He has helped pioneer the missional use of technology that allows Life.Church to reach people all over the world, and oversees the YouVersion, Open Network, Church Online, Information Technology, Creative Media, Spaces & Places, and Communications teams. Bobby and his wife, Melissa, live in Edmond, Oklahoma with their four children.

Today on the podcast Bobby discusses the entrepreneurial lessons that God showed him in his teenage years and how they shaped later forays into the world of business. He shares how his money mindset changed when he sold his tech companies and why he made a conscious decision to embrace the abundance mindset. Bobby also explores why we shouldn't be afraid to take risks and be willing to fail sometimes, and how we can reframe obstacles as opportunities to fine-tune our knowledge.

"We invest in people more than we do ideas." - Bobby Gruenewald

"My passion for the church just eclipsed my passion for entrepreneurial things business. It wasn't that one got smaller, it was just one got really big." - Bobby Gruenewald

"Sometimes we take these risks and fail, and it's one of the hardest things to do, but you've got to be able to quit." - Bobby Gruenewald

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• The radical transformation that Bobby made in his life just before he started high school
• What Bobby learned about leadership through traveling with the Christian rap band he formed
• The opportunity that God showed him that changed the path he had planned out for his life
• How Bobby got involved with Life.Church as a volunteer then went all-in despite initial misgivings about whether it was right for him
• How Bobby discovered that he could apply his knowledge of technology to ministry, and began to generate ideas on how they could reach people not just in church locally but globally
• How Bobby came up with the idea for YouVersion and some of the unexpected problems that the concept had along the way
• How God has made His voice heard in Bobby's life

Bobby Gruenewald's Words of Wisdom:

If you surrender all parts of your life to God then don't be surprised when God uses all of your experiences for His purpose, not just the things that you're proud of, but the regrets too.

Connect with Life.Church:

• Church Website
• Church on Instagram
• Church on Facebook
• Church on YouTube

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Wing Lam left his corporate job to start Wahoo's Fish Taco restaurant with his younger brothers Eduardo and Mingo, little knowing how soon the restaurant would become a global franchise. The Lam brothers grew up close to the ocean in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and brought their love of surf culture and fresh healthy food with them when their family moved to the USA. Wing grew up helping out in his parent's restaurant which gave him the knowledge and experience he needed to open that first restaurant beside the beach in Costa Mesa, Orange County.

Wing joins me today to tell the extraordinary tale of coming from Brazil with his family, learning English via schoolmates and the family business, and the moment he decided to seize the opportunity to try a new venture and open Wahoo's Fish Tacos. He shares his experience of working with his brothers and how they keep each other accountable and what Wing sees as the key to the franchise's ultimate success. Wing also discusses the faith component that kind of interweaves the personal and professional aspects of his life.

"Most people don't fail because they give bad service, or they can't cook - the reason you fail is you don't know how to market and get people to come in buy your services." - Wing Lam

"You got to lead by example." - Wing Lam

"You've got to have a little faith." - Wing Lam

This week on The Wow Factor:

• How Wing and his two brothers started Wahoo's Fish Tacos and why they were confident it would be a success
• How the menu at Wahoo's Fish Taco evolved and why they ended up buying futures on wahoo fish
• The moment that changed the trajectory of the company
• The lucky break that offered the opportunity to scale their business to more restaurants and stores
• Stories of times when things went wrong and what the brothers did to get back on track
• The impact of COVID-19 on Wahoo's Fish Taco and what the company did to get in front of the problems
• How and why Wing tapped into his network to continue delivering food to nurses in the local hospitals
• How the company pivoted to keep the business running during the lockdown

Wing Lam's Words of Wisdom:

Life is not about accumulating stuff, it's about being able to share and give back to the community that you're in.

Connect with Wing Lam:

• Wahoo's Fish Tacos Website
• Wahoo's Fish Tacos on Facebook
• Wahoo's Fish Tacos on Instagram
• Wahoo's Fish Tacos on Twitter

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Kevin Lavelle is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Mizzen + Main, and he was the CEO before stepping down to take on the Chairman role. Mizzen + Main transformed the apparel industry by creating a comfortable dress shirt out of high-performance fabric. Kevin is now a Senior Vice President at Stand Together, a non-profit organization that aims to help social entrepreneurs supercharge their efforts to help people change their lives.

Kevin joins me on the show to discuss where he got the idea for the Mizzen + Main performance dress shirts and why it took several years for him to progress to developing the garments. He shares his career trajectory and why he never envisioned being an entrepreneur and the moment that finally made him take the leap.

"If you have a good idea, someone else has it too. The question is, are you taking the right steps to actually make it happen?" - Kevin Lavelle

"if I tried to write the business plan to account for all of the eventualities, I might have missed those opportunities. Trying to stay focused is exactly what we're trying to do." - Kevin Lavelle

"When you're driven by something as your core ideology on how the world can be a better place. It's a really inspiring thing to do." - Kevin Lavelle

This week on The Wow Factor:

• The early years of Mizzen + Main and the steps he took to set up the company
• How he came up with the name that embodied a classic American East Coast brand
• Whether there was ever a moment that Kevin thought the company wouldn't make it
• How he set up the partnership deal without bankers and ended up signing the final papers in the delivery room
• How Mizzen + Main has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic
• How he got engaged with Stand Together, a non-profit organization that is committed to creating a society where everyone has the chance to succeed
• Why he decided to work with an executive coach and what he learned about adding value to organizations
• How Stand Together is funded and managed and their aims and visions for solving challenges in society

Kevin Lavelle's Words of Wisdom:

Gratitude ties a lot of things together as a leader. It also helps drive how I try to function as a leader, both as the Founder of Mizzen + Main and as a leader of a big team at Stand Together. I'm grateful for people wanting to be a part of the work that we do.

Connect with Kevin Lavelle:

• Mizzen and Main Website
• Stand Together Website
• Stand Together on Facebook
• Stand Together on Instagram
• Stand Together on Twitter
• Your Life in Weeks Chart

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
• Words of Wisdom Website
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter