Disruptive Minds Podcast: Leaders + Numbers = Success

Ann Dolin's Journey: How a 2.7 GPA Student Built a 27-Year Education Empire

Join Tevia Hoalst as she interviews Ann Dolin, founder and president of Educational Connections. With 27 years of experience and a team of over 125 educators, Ann shares her journey from classroom teacher to building a $4 million comprehensive tutoring company. Learn how she transformed her personal struggles as a student with a 2.7 GPA into a mission to help misunderstood kids succeed through executive function coaching, test prep, and holistic educational support. Key Topics Discussed: - Transitioning from traditional teaching to entrepreneurship - Building a comprehensive education services company - Executive function coaching vs. traditional tutoring - The impact of AI on education and student learning - Scaling beyond the $1M mark in the education industry - The importance of understanding struggling students - Adding service lines: when to expand and when to pivot - COVID's impact on educational services going virtual - Data-driven decision making in education business About Anne: Ann Dolin is the founder and president of Educational Connections, a tutoring company serving students across the United States and eight international countries. Starting from her dining room table with one student, Ann has grown her company to employ 125 educators and generate $4 million in annual revenue. Her personal experience struggling with a 2.7 GPA in high school drives her mission to help misunderstood students succeed through comprehensive support including one-on-one tutoring, executive function coaching, test prep, and college counseling. Key Takeaways: - Understanding your own weaknesses and hiring to complement them is crucial for business growth - Tracking metrics from the start can prevent overwhelm later - Listen to your customers to determine which services to add - AI in education requires balance - teach responsible usage rather than prohibition - Executive function skills often matter more than subject-specific knowledge - COVID created opportunities to expand geographically through virtual services - Multiple service lines help retain customers throughout their educational journey Connect with Ann Dolin: Educational Connections: https://ectutoring.com/ [https://ectutoring.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-dolin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-dolin/] Personal Website : https://anndolin.ectutoring.com/ [https://anndolin.ectutoring.com/] Connect with Tevia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/] Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/] LinkedIn (TeKoda Accounting): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/] Follow the podcast on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/] Schedule a consultation with TeKoda Accounting today and discover how we can help optimize your financial strategy: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/]

A Conversation with Jonathan Aymin: Leading Change in the Event Venue World

In this episode of the Disruptive Minds Business Podcast, host Tevia Hoalst, CEO of TeKoda Accounting, welcomes Jonathan Aymin, founder of WEVA (Wedding and Event Venue Association) and Common Sense Events.  Jonathan shares his journey from nearly buying an event venue to founding multiple companies, emphasizing the importance of providing education and community within the venue industry. He dives into the creation of WEVA, the significance of joining professional associations, and the impact of technology, including AI, on the industry. Jonathan also highlights the critical role of financial management and offers insights into time management and the balance necessary for entrepreneurial success. Timestamps 00:33 Jonathan's Journey into the Event Industry 01:01 Disruptive Innovations in the Wedding Venue Industry 03:23 The Importance of Industry Associations 09:06 Challenges and Solutions in Event Management 19:59 Leveraging Technology and AI in Business 25:23 Financial Insights for Business Owners 32:40 Future Plans and Exciting Projects 37:12 Filling Your Cup: Personal and Professional Growth Connect with Jonathan * Website: https://www.jonathanaymin.com/ [https://www.jonathanaymin.com/] * Company Website: https://www.cseventservices.com/ [https://www.cseventservices.com/] + https://www.wevahub.com/ [https://www.wevahub.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-aymin-065aa679/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-aymin-065aa679/] * Facebook:  Connect with Tevia:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/] Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/] LinkedIn (TeKoda Accounting): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/] Follow the podcast on LinkedIn!  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/] Schedule a consultation with TeKoda Accounting today and discover how we can help optimize your financial strategy: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/]

Mark Worster on Navigating Business Transitions and Personal Life Transformation

In this episode of the Disruptive Minds Podcast, host Tevia Hoalst welcomes Mark Worster, founder of The New Mysteries and former CEO of Unitel. They discuss Mark's transition from running a tech company for 30 years, selling it to his brother, and moving into the health and wellness space.  Mark shares his journey of self-discovery, overcoming treatment-resistant depression, and finding joy through reprogramming his mindset. They dive into the importance of having solid financial and legal foundations in business, as well as the value of peer support networks like Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Mark also talks about his current work in the New Mysteries, focusing on providing transformative experiences for entrepreneurs using ancient and modern techniques.  Timestamps: 00:52 Mark's Journey: From CEO to Nurse 02:35 Selling Unitel: The Process and Challenges 06:11 The Importance of Planning and Agreements 09:52 Identity Crisis After Selling the Company 11:54 Transition to the Health and Wellness Space 14:00 Mental Health and Personal Transformation 21:06 New Mysteries: A Human Potential Accelerator 22:27 Exploring Different Coaching Methods 22:55 Maslow's Hierarchy and Transcendence 24:34 The Ancient Greek Mysteries 26:33 Lessons from Financial Hardships 28:21 The Importance of Knowing Your Customer 31:14 The Role of EO in Entrepreneurial Success 38:26 Maintaining Mindfulness and Energy Connect with Mark * Website: https://www.thenewmysteries.org/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialnursemark/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markworster/ Connect with Tevia:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/] Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/] LinkedIn (TeKoda Accounting): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/] Follow the podcast on LinkedIn!  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/] Schedule a consultation with TeKoda Accounting today and discover how we can help optimize your financial strategy: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/]

Cleaning Up Business: Christina Garten on Empowered Pay & Company Culture

In this episode of Disruptive Minds Business Podcast, host Tevia Hoalst of TeKoda Accounting interviews Christina Garten, CEO and president of Christina's Complete Clean. Christina shares insights from her 20-year journey in the cleaning industry, starting with just one client at age 22 and growing into a seven-figure business. Throughout the conversation, Christina highlights her innovative business strategies, including a technology-driven dispatch system that eliminates office visits for her team and her groundbreaking "Empowered Pay" model. This performance-based compensation system has revolutionized her business, allowing top performers to earn up to $38 per hour while significantly boosting employee satisfaction and retention! Christina also discusses her strategic use of fractional leadership to scale efficiently, her transparent approach to customer feedback through the company's "Embrace the Suck" philosophy, and her commitment to excellence through staff technical certification. Timestamps 00:54 Christina’s Business Journey 01:19 Innovative Business Practices 02:20 Fractional Leadership and AI 04:57 Empowered Pay Model 06:29 Balancing Efficiency and Quality 11:17 CEO's Daily Focus and KPIs 12:49 Financial Insights and Performance Metrics 19:00 Hiring and Training Best Practices 23:01 Future Plans and Expansion 25:44 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 29:27 Recharging and Work-Life Balance Connect with Christina * Website: https://www.christinascompleteclean.com/ [https://www.christinascompleteclean.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinas_complete_clean/ [https://www.instagram.com/christinas_complete_clean/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinasCompleteClean/ [https://www.facebook.com/ChristinasCompleteClean/] Connect with Tevia:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/] Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/] LinkedIn (TeKoda Accounting): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/] Follow the podcast on LinkedIn!  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/] Schedule a consultation with TeKoda Accounting today and discover how we can help optimize your financial strategy: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/]

Navigating Sustainable Growth with Nelli Garton of Tablecloth.io

In this episode of the Disruptive Minds Business Podcast, host Tevia Hoalst of TeKoda Accounting interviews Nelli Garton, CEO and co-founder of Tablecloth.io, a SaaS platform focused on private investment and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) impact. Nelli discusses how Tablecloth.io helps businesses understand their social and environmental impact alongside profitability.  The conversation explores strategies for integrating ESG metrics into business decisions, the importance of context in data analysis, and the role of AI in modern business practices. Additionally, Nelli shares insights into her leadership approach, the importance of empowering team members, and the value of maintaining strong customer relationships.  Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on sustainable business practices and leadership in the tech industry! 00:33 Disruptive Innovations in Tech and Finance 02:01 Understanding ESG and Its Impact 04:57 The Journey to Tablecloth.io 06:24 Private Equity and Value Creation 13:35 AI Governance and Business Risks 19:47 A Day in the Life of a CEO 22:19 Growth and Financial Insights 32:24 Client Relationships and Future Goals 35:16 Balancing Work and Relaxation Connect with Nelli * Website: https://about.tablecloth.io/ [https://about.tablecloth.io/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelli-garton-phd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelli-garton-phd/] * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tableclothinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tableclothinc/] Connect with Tevia:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/] Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/tevia-hoalst/] LinkedIn (TeKoda Accounting): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekoda-accounting/] Follow the podcast on LinkedIn!  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-disruptive-minds-podcast-leaders-numbers-success/] Schedule a consultation with TeKoda Accounting today and discover how we can help optimize your financial strategy: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/ [https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/schedule-call/]