Ep. 21 - Sam Villa: Legend & Icon

Ep. 21 - Sam Villa: Legend & Icon

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with world-renowned hairstylist, educator, and entrepreneur Sam Villa to talk about passion, purpose, and the mindset behind long-term success. Lucky for me I get to call him Tio Sam (AKA Uncle Sam). Sam shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the beauty industry, building a career centered around creativity, connection, and continuous growth. We talk about the importance of staying relevant, embracing progression, and why true success comes from constantly evolving both personally and professionally. Throughout the conversation, Sam opens up about the impact of mentorship and coaching, the lessons he’s learned from working with people around the world, and how meaningful relationships can completely shape your path in life and business. This episode is packed with wisdom around leadership, personal growth, discipline, and finding fulfillment through serving others. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, leader, or someone trying to find your purpose, there’s something in this conversation for you. Like. Comment. Subscribe.

Ep. 20 - Conor Begley: Entrepreneur 🍺

I sat down with Conor Begley to talk about the reality of entrepreneurship, betting on yourself, and what it takes to keep building through uncertainty. Conor shares his journey from Cal Poly to co-founding Fathers Brewing, along with the lessons that came from launching businesses, learning through failure, and continuing to evolve as an entrepreneur. We talk about persistence, staying focused when things don’t go as planned, and how long-term success is often built through consistency and commitment rather than quick wins. Conor also opens up about relaunching software products, learning from past mistakes, and the mindset shifts that helped shape both his career and personal growth. If you’re navigating a career transition, thinking about starting something of your own, or trying to figure out your next step, this episode has a lot of value packed into it. Like. Comment. Subscribe.

Ep. 19 - Elena Winters: Tech Leader

I sat down with Elena Winters to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career over time. We start with her early days as a Sales Associate and how those foundational experiences shaped the way she approaches leadership today. Elena was actually the one who referred me into that role, which changed the trajectory of my career and is a real reminder that your network matters more than you think. From there, Elena walks through her journey across companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Meta, and now VP of International Business at Elea Data Centers & Co-Founder of Women’s Tech Forum. A big theme throughout this conversation is growth through discomfort. Elena shares how stepping into the unknown, taking on new challenges before feeling ready, and surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate everything. We also spend time on the role of mentorship and community. From the people who helped guide her early on to her work co-founding the Women in Tech Forum, it’s clear that success isn’t built alone. If you’re early in your career, navigating a transition, or thinking about what’s next, this episode offers a real look at how to grow with intention. Like. Comment. Subscribe.

Ep. 18 - Peter Balla: Friend & Builder

I sat down with one of my best friends, Peter Balla. This is the longest episode I’ve done, and for good reason. Peter is one of my longest standing friends, and this conversation really captures what Be Better Tribe is all about… real conversations with people who have shaped your life. We go back to our childhood in Santa Cruz and how those early years influenced who we became. From there, Peter shares his journey into architectural engineering, what it takes to stay committed to long term projects, and how to navigate big career decisions. We talk about growth, pressure, and the realization that fulfillment isn’t just about having fun, but about doing meaningful work you’re proud of. More than anything, this episode is about friendship. Growing together, showing up for each other, and why that matters more over time. No back house stories were shared… we’ll save those for another time. If you’re thinking about your next step or the people you want in your corner, this one’s for you. Like. Comment. Subscribe.

Ep. 17 - Brian LaManna: 🦙

I had the chance to sit down with Brian LaManna to talk about something that shows up in almost every strong career path I’ve seen: Taking the leap before you feel ready. Brian’s journey from SDR to enterprise seller in just a few years didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistency, learning from the right people, creating systems that support his goals, and maintaining a strong bias toward action rather than waiting for perfect timing. One thing that stood out in this conversation is how growth often comes from saying yes early and figuring things out along the way. We also discuss how top performers manage their time and energy, why learning from people ahead of you accelerates everything, how building your voice on LinkedIn can open unexpected doors, and advice for anyone early in their career or navigating what’s next. If you’re thinking about making a move or pushing yourself into something new, this episode is for you. Like. Comment. Subscribe.