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.

-----------

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.

-----------

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.

-----------

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

-----------

Learn more about HireBetter

https://www.HireBetter.com

Follow HireBetter on LinkedIn

https://bit.ly/2S9sigx

-----------

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”!

-----------

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.

-----------

About Brian Moran

Craig Wiley of Transcend Business knows that sometimes you’ve got to zig when others zag – what should you be doing right now to make your team stronger amid all the chaos?

How did 21 year old James Dumolin help build a social media empire with over 700 MILLION video views in a few years?

Join us for Episode 10 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 James about his work building the School of Hard Knocks TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube channels. In each video, James or his brother Jack interview a successful person to share advice and strategies with the younger generation. They are inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs through their videos – and James shares a lot of key insights into both how and why they do what they do.

(00:00:01) Opening & Introduction
(00:00:32) Guest Spotlight: Meet James Dumoulin – Streetwise Career Counsel
(00:00:45) Crazy Career Advice: “Buy a Lamborghini” Explained
(00:01:02) DC Roots & Early Mentorship: From Eagle Scout to Digital Pioneer
(00:01:22) Embracing the Creator Economy: Building a Personal Brand
(00:02:32) Launching School of Hard Knocks: Interviews that Inspire
(00:03:37) Sponsor – Higher Better: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:04:00) Timeless Questions: “What Would You Tell Your 20-Year-Old Self?”
(00:04:57) Monetizing Content: Ad Revenue, Brand Deals & Short-Form Agency
(00:05:46) Earnings at a Young Age: Multiple Six-Figure Success
(00:06:12) Three Key Principles: Risk, Relationships & Putting God First
(00:07:08) Memorable Interview Moment: The Versace Robe Story
(00:08:31) Handling Controversy: Navigating Legal Hurdles in Interviews
(00:10:08) Introducing “Who’s Your MC?”: Entrepreneurial Archetypes Unveiled
(00:10:57) Unlocking Move: The Transformative Power of Moving to Austin
(00:11:24) Balancing UT & Business: Strategies for the Modern Student
(00:18:23) Advice for Parents: Encourage Exploration & Entrepreneurial Freedom
(00:19:56) The Unasked Question: Seeking Self-Improvement & Relationship Wisdom
(00:20:59) Connect with School of Hard Knocks: Follow Us on Social
(00:21:34) Wrap-Up: Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------

About James Dumoulin James Dumolin is Co-Founder of Hard Knocks LLC, a social media and video production company that has taken the entrepreneurial world by storm. Together with his brother Jack, the 21-year-old interviews successful entrepreneurs, creating inspiration for aspiring millennial and Gen Z entrepreneurs. Their social media empire includes over 1.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and over 700 million video views. James is also a student at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business – but the School of Hard Knocks is the University for Everyone!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. -----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did Tori Brodsky go from Dancing Banana at Jamba Juice to the CEO of a Paso Robles wine company? A bad hangover, of course!

Join us for Episode 9 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 Tori about her journey to becoming an entrepreneur. They discuss self-reflection, making risky moves, the importance (and role) of mentorship, and how to address the shifts in team dynamics that happen as a company scales.

(00:00:01) Opening & Introduction
(00:00:32) Guest Introduction: Tori Brodsky – From Drink Light to Besa Mi Vino
(00:00:50) Hangover Origins & The Dancing Banana Job
(00:01:01) The Birth of Drink Light: A Hangover-Cure Innovation
(00:03:54) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:04:15) Entrepreneurial Journey: Surprises & Lessons Learned
(00:05:07) Building Your Toolbox: Learning from Others’ Stories
(00:07:07) Pivot to Wine: The Besa Mi Vino Story
(00:07:56) Unboxing the Experience: Spin the Besa Drinking Game
(00:09:18) Wine Tasting: Discovering Organic Canned Red Wine
(00:12:52) Where to Buy Besa Mi Vino: Online & Retail Distribution
(00:13:20) Entrepreneurial Archetypes: Insights from "Who's Your Mike?"
(00:15:55) Unlocking Moves: Embracing New Leadership Challenges
(00:17:45) The Generalist Dilemma: Navigating Team Transitions
(00:21:29) Empowering Women: Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
(00:25:14) The Unasked Question: Balancing Mental & Physical Health
(00:26:57) Connect with Tori: LinkedIn, Drink Besa & More
(00:27:47) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------About Tori BrodskyTori is an entrepreneurial professional on a mission to use her skills to help people evolve for the better through strategic brand and business-building for better-for-you products and services. With an educational background in Nutrition Science, she is especially drawn to people, products, and services that make living healthy, joyful lives more accessible, affordable, and conventional. She has started a hydration beverage company to normalize hydration in social settings, DrinkLyte, and in joined the organic, canned wine brand Besa Mi Vino as CEO. About HireBetterKurt 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. -----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter