Jason Bronstad went through a transformation - from “businessman with a family” to “family man with a business”.

Join us for Episode 20 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves dives into Jason’s journeys through both mental and physical health and his rise to the leadership in the CPG world. Jason’s life has featured multiple Unlocking Moves, including realizing he was failing his family by not setting a good example of healthy living. Since that point, he's lost over 100 pounds by training jiu jitsu and instilling discipline in eating and workout habits. He also became CEO of MALK Organics, and applied lessons learned on his health journey to the production of healthy, clean milk alternatives.

How should entrepreneurs approach mental health as they lead teams?

How did Gareth Gallagher go from hitting rock bottom (personally and professionally) to and building his own global event planning company?

Join us for Episode 18 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a powerful conversation between Kurt and Gareth focused on overcoming personal demons, working in high-stress, high-pressure environments, and turning the impossible into the possible. Gareth’s personal struggles with drug and alcohol addiction led to some rock bottom moments that helped bring clarity and purpose as he found his way.

About Gareth Gallagher

About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

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Learn more about HireBetter

Learn more about EVT Media

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Get a copy of Who's Your Mike?

How did LaQuita Cleare go from Hollywood actress to one of the business world’s best storytelling coaches?

Join us for Episode 17 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and LaQuita about her struggles as an actress trying to make it in Hollywood.

After many misses and constantly comparing herself to others, she realized that what makes us interesting and different -- is just being yourself! As a public speaker, coach, and mentor to entrepreneurs, she leverages the lessons she learned in Hollywood to help others tell their own unique stories.

About LaQuita Cleare

About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

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Learn more about HireBetter

How does Adam Witty help hundreds of entrepreneurs unlock their stories to benefit others?

This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation that covers Adam's early days - starting an online ticket exchange as a student at Clemson - through his rise in the business publishing world. Kurt and Adam talk about creating your own opportunities, being a facilitator rather than trying to do it all, and how persistence and determination unlock doors for founders. As the CEO of Forbes Books, Adam helps entrepreneurs become thought leaders by distilling their stories into teaching opportunities.

About Adam Witty

Adam is the CEO of Forbes Books, the book publishing brand of Forbes Media. What began in a spare bedroom is now one of the largest independent business book publishers in the world with over 2,000 authors from 14 countries. He is the author of 6 books including "The Authority Advantage" and "Book the Business: How to Make Big Money with Your Book Without Even Selling a Single Copy". Adam and his companies have been named to the Inc. 500/5000 list, Best Places to Work South Carolina, Inc's "30 under 30" list of cool young entrepreneurs, and in 2019 - Charleston's Entrepreneur of the Year. He is also an Eagle Scout and has his commercial pilot certificate.

About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

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How did Jennifer Hill go from “recovering lawyer” to successful entrepreneur and AI and Cybersecurity Expert?

Join us for Episode 15 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Jennifer about her transition from lawyer to entrepreneur. She talks about her experience joining, scaling, and successfully exiting businesses in healthcare analytics and education technology, sharing the key decision points that unlocked her success.

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About Jennifer Hill

What are Autumn Manning's secrets of success in the venture-backed tech industry?

Join us for Episode 14 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Autumn, a successful tech entrepreneur, investor, and organizational change agent who has successfully scaled and exited multiple businesses. In this episode Autumn shares advice and experience from the male-dominated, venture-backed tech space, including both the investor and entrepreneur perspective, along with her keys to creating a company great culture!

(00:00:01) Introduction: Real Stories & Pivotal Moments
(00:00:33) Setting the Stage: Off‑the‑Wall Question on Mike Tyson
(00:00:49) The Dinner Dare: Asking Iron Mike for a Meal
(00:01:10) Influences of Iron Mike: Lessons from Boxing & Beyond
(00:01:34) Embracing Vulnerability: Authenticity in Storytelling
(00:02:15) Mentorship & Resilience: Learning from the Greats
(00:02:38) The Power of Story: Why Every Life Has Glory & Grit
(00:03:15) Meet Autumn Manning: Boxing Aficionado & Culture Guru
(00:05:23) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:05:56) From Psychology to Tech: The Birth of You Earned It
(00:06:10) The CEO Dilemma: Balancing Leadership & Life
(00:07:05) Overcoming “Head Trash”: Seeking True Mentorship
(00:08:16) Building Company Culture: Connection, Meaning & Growth
(00:20:05) Venture Capital Realities: Options & Founder-Friendly Funding
(00:32:34) Favorite HR Character: Championing Authentic People Leadership
(00:35:41) Unlocking Moves: Key Advice for Building a High‑Performing Team
(00:42:12) Beyond Labels: Who Are You? How Are You?
(00:44:45) CTA: Like, Subscribe & Review for More Authentic Stories

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Learn more about HireBetter

https://www.HireBetter.com

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https://bit.ly/2S9sigx

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About Autumn Manning

Autumn is a serial entrepreneur, investor, operator, organizational change agent, and deeply passionate community citizen. Her experience spans different growth stages and industries, but is always focused on talent, team, culture, and performance optimization. She cofounded and led YouEarnedIt in 2013, eventually exiting to Vista Equity Partners in 2018. She later served as President and COO of CrateJoy, and then joined Motley Fool Ventures as Partner and Entrepreneur in Residence.About Kurt Wilkin Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did Kurt’s older brother inspire him to become an entrepreneur?

Join us for Episode 13 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes.

This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and his older brother and entrepreneurial role model Rolf about their inspirations and beginnings as entrepreneurs. Rolf walks through the lessons he learned from 31 years as the owner of Eureka Pizza and how those lessons are informing his newest venture – PopUp, the Original Drink Thru. With lots of lessons about negotiations, creative marketing, and self-reflection, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Plus – stick around for some of Rolf’s “dirt on Kurt”!

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Rolf Wilkin is the founder of PopUp Drink Thru, Eureka Pizza and Local Trade Partners. His entrepreneurship and small business advocacy has led to him being the “Salut au Restauranteur” of Arkansas, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, and being named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He is past President of the Springdale Rotary Club, an Eagle Scout, and a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR

About Kurt Wilkin

How did Erik Qualman step into his story as Equalman and embrace being “FLAWsome”?

Join us for Episode 12 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Erik about the story behind his success as an entrepreneur, author, and thought leader. Erik discusses key, pivotal moments in his journey that led to him becoming a scholarship basketball player for a Hall of Fame coach, and ultimately becoming a bestselling author and highly south-after motivational speaker.

(00:00:01) Introduction & Off‑the‑Wall Kickoff
(00:00:33) Off‑the‑Wall Question: The Likability Award
(00:00:49) Eric Qualman’s Origin & the “Equal Man” Identity
(00:02:28) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:02:49) From Cadillac Intern to Digital Pioneer
(00:03:38) The Birth of “Equal Man” & the Green Glasses Saga
(00:03:58) Embracing a Unique Brand Identity
(00:05:05) A Transformative Trip to Kenya & Business Impact
(00:09:09) At Home with Equal Man: Family Reactions
(00:09:34) A Surreal Commencement Speech at Michigan State
(00:11:45) Key Takeaways: Courage, Kindness & Resilience
(00:13:13) Book Insights: “Who’s Your Mic?” & Character Archetypes
(00:22:27) Dream Big: Leaping Out of Your Comfort Zone
(00:27:11) Worst‑Case Analysis: Risk, Reward & Facing Fears
(00:30:01) Connect with Equal Man & Wrap‑Up

-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------About Erik Qualman

Erik Qualman is a 5x bestselling author and keynote speaker who has performed in over 55 countries and reached 50 million people. He was voted the 2nd Most Likeable Author in the World behind Harry Potter’s J.K Rowling. His books, including Socialnomics, Digital Leader, What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube, and The Focus Project, educate readers about digital leadership while being entertaining and empowering. Qualman is a current professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern and his materials are used in over 500 universities. Qualman’s animation studio works with some of the world’s leading brands including Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier.

About Kurt Wilkin Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did Brian Moran make “chicken salad out of chicken sh*t”?

Join us for Episode 11 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Brian about the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship and how the lowest lows and lead to the highest of highs. Brian candidly discusses how being laid off twice by the same person led him to start his own business, and then how declaring bankruptcy – which seemed like the ultimate failure at the time – led him to where he is today.

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About Brian Moran