This episode we’re doing something a bit different featuring two guests, who have a passion for others, a passion for pouring into St. Louis, and who have made careers out of giving back. 

Kristen Wild, Executive Director at Operation Food Search and Ryan McClure, Executive Director at Gateway Arch Park Foundation, highlights the opportunity to use our gifts for good. How do they do it? They know their values and seek the Zero Excuses mentality of continual improvement for themselves and their community. 

• Connect with Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-wild-b4177968/32/
• Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbmcclure/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Leaving a stable job at a reputable company with a one-house income of five kids to launch your venture is not something many would have the courage to do. Mike Reynolds, father, husband, and digital product agency owner, took a leap of faith when launching Innovatemap seven years ago. 

How did he decide to do something that inevitably takes up more mental and physical bandwidth? He made Zero Excuses. And by pursuing passions vigorously with a supportive network,  you can too.  I’m Nick Smarrelli. And here’s the conversation with Mike.  

• Connect with Mike:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-reynolds-8594932/
• Learn more about Innovatemap: https://innovatemap.com/
• Join the betterproduct.community 
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

One of the largest real estate companies in Indianapolis is Century 21 Scheetz. And it’s run by CEO and Co-owner, Tracy Hutton. Tracy is the mother of two grown children, an influential leader fighting for the homeless community, and a fierce advocate for young girls.

Growing up she didn’t have a role model for what it looked like to be a mother with a career. Yet, through a strong support network, the partnership of her business mentor, Mick Scheetz, and a refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer, Tracy has helped grow Century 21 Scheetz to its leading status today. 

How does she do it? She makes Zero Excuses. And by knowing your values and how to say yes to the right things, you can too.

• Connect with Tracy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyhutton/
• Learn more about CENTURY 21 Scheetz: https://c21scheetz.com/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Norris Cunningham serves on the board of directors of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, is co-founder of Katz Korin Cunningham, a well-known attorney and an advocate for diversity initiatives across the country. Outside of all this, he's passionate about bringing more persons of color into the legal community. 

In our conversation, Norris shares how his career in the military and the education he’s received has inspired him to advocate for diversity. As a society, we are in a critical moment, and hopefully, we are at a real inflection point to make some big changes towards racial equality. 

How can we do it? Together we can make Zero Excuses. And Norris shares, how as a champion for diversity, we truly can. 

• Connect with Norris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norris-cunningham-65b35b5a/
• Learn more about CENTURY 21 Scheetz: https://c21scheetz.com/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

The Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis is an organization with close ties to Nick Smarrelli, which specializes in delivering child abuse prevention and intervention services throughout the entire state of Indiana. Featuring CEO Tina Cloer, CEO of the organization is both an honor and a privilege as she shares her Zero Excuses Mentality. 

After you listen to Tina, we hope you leave inspired because she had every reason to live a life of excuses yet she chose differently. Hear Tina’s story in this week’s Zero Excuses. 

• Connect with Tina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-cloer-3240661a/
• Learn more about The Children's Bureau: https://www.childrensbureau.org/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Derrin Slack is the founder of ProAct a nonprofit organization based out of Indianapolis with a focus on empowering today’s youth through service. As the leader, Derrin is vulnerable and transparent about the challenges he faced in his darkest moments and how those moments have led him to where he is today. 

This year has been difficult, to say the least, from COVID-19 to civil unrest. In our conversation, he provides insights you can embrace to take action in supporting the Black community. It is our goal that you leave this episode feeling inspired and equipped with the right mentality for making change. As you’ll hear, Derrin lives this out in all aspects of his life. 

How does he do it? He makes Zero Excuses. And by embracing vulnerability coupled with action,  you can too.  

Derrin’s Recommended Reads: 

• White Fragility by Robert DiAngelo
• Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul

Additional Links: 

• Connect with Derrin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrin-slack-ab253040/haas-1990b4b
• Learn more about ProAct: https://www.proactindy.org/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

This episode features Heather Hass who describes herself as a regular person doing hard things. Heather is the president of Advisa, a mother, and incredibly involved in the Indianapolis community.

Before leading her current company, Heather was a sixth-grade teacher. True to this day, being a teacher is at the core of who she is and how she leads. She’s spent a lot of her career focusing on two things: growing her family and her business. 

How does she do it? She makes Zero Excuses. And by seizing opportunities while staying true to your personal values, so can you. 

• Connect with Heather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-haas-1990b4b
• Learn more about Adivsa: https://www.advisausa.com/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Many guests on our show have a passion for giving back to their respective communities. This week’s guest is no different, in fact, his desire for pouring into the St. Louis community is the backbone for why he launched his organization, Arch to Park. 

As the CEO, Jason Hall keeps busy growing his company with an eye on how to foster growth in his own backyard. In and outside of his civic-minded pursuits, Jason is passionate about entrepreneurship and the notion of being able to leave an impact on the world. 

How does he do it? He makes Zero Excuses. Hear how he has leaned into his natural gifts to fuel the work he does for the community of St. Louis. 

• Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hall-27a3b16/barnes/
• Learn more about Arch to Park: https://thestl.com/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Before running her most recent agency Valve+Meter, Marcia Barnes spent fourteen years leading DEFENDERS, which was recently acquired by ADT. Outside of her business success, Marcia is a mother and key influential community member with one key mission: 10x the valuation of one hundred companies. 

Marica shares her perspective and the philosophies that keep her focused during uncertain times. The one thing she never misses a chance to do, help others. 

Hear the values she holds true no matter the external factors which try to steal focus. 

• Connect with Marcia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-barnes/
• Learn more about Valve+Meter: https://valveandmeter.com/
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/

Do Better Work is more than a book title. It’s Max Yoder’s mission in leading Lessonly, a growing training software company based in Indianapolis. Outside of work, Max is an accomplished author, musician, and soon-to-be first-time dad. 

Max is fascinated by human psychology and understanding relationships. He brings a unique approach to leadership, discussing nonviolent communication, compassion, and mirroring within the workplace. While taking home these practices of self-reflection and observation. 

Hear how his focus on self-improvement is connected to the many passions he pursues alongside growing a thriving business. 

• Connect with Max: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxyoder/
• Get the book, “Do Better Work”: http://dobetterwork.com 
• Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
• Learn more about GadellNet Consulting Services: https://gadellnet.com/