EP29: Clarence Bongalos, Founder & CEO of The Maur Company & Emppowered | "C-Suite -> Founder"

EP30: Elisabeth Brown, CEO of Cultivate & Co Consulting | "Faith & Purpose"

Elisabeth Brown shares her journey of growing and balancing faith, family, and a diverse career while emphasizing the importance of purpose, trust in God, and intentional living. Discover practical insights on how faith guides her decisions, maintains peace amidst chaos, and fosters meaningful connections. Keywords: faith, purpose, work-life balance, leadership, community, trust in God, intentional living, career, family, personal growth Key Topics: Faith as the foundation of decision-making Trust in God during career and personal challenges The importance of community and connection Living intentionally and finding purpose in chaos Sound Bites: "I step through doors until God shuts them." "Control what you can, trust God with the rest." "Shiny things aren’t always good for you." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Elisabeth Brown 02:23 The Foundation of Faith and Family 06:30 Navigating Life's Challenges with Faith 14:40 Career Journey: From Teaching to Consulting 21:38 Building a Business Amidst Life's Chaos 26:34 Current Life and Managing Stress 34:38 Advice for the Future: Trusting the Process Resources: CultivateAndCoConsulting.com - https://cultivateandcoconsulting.com [https://cultivateandcoconsulting.com]  Elisabeth Brown on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-brown-b61ab765/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-brown-b61ab765/]

EP29: Clarence Bongalos, Founder & CEO of The Maur Company & Emppowered | "C-Suite -> Founder"

In this conversation, Kasey Devine and Clarence Bongalos explore Clarence's journey from a C-suite executive to an entrepreneur, discussing the impact of parenthood on his career choices, the importance of finding purpose, and the courage to take risks. Clarence shares insights on how his experiences shaped his desire to help others and the significance of mentorship in navigating career transitions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and the role of community in pursuing one's passions. Connect with Clarence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarencebongalos/ Keywords: entrepreneurship, personal growth, parenthood, career transition, coaching, business, self-discovery, purpose, risk-taking, mentorship  Takeaways: -Clarence emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories to help others. -He reflects on the misalignment he felt in his C-suite role, prompting his transition to entrepreneurship. -Parenthood significantly changed Clarence's perspective on life and career. -He believes that becoming a parent brings a new sense of purpose and urgency to one's life. -Clarence encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and not to wear masks in their professional lives. -He highlights the importance of having a support system when navigating career transitions. -Clarence's journey illustrates the value of taking risks and being open to failure. -He stresses that understanding one's purpose is crucial for personal and professional fulfillment. -Clarence's businesses focus on helping others achieve growth and transformation. -He advocates for mentorship as a valuable resource for personal development.  Sound bites: "I want to help those people." "I became more fearless." "It's not about the passions, right?" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Clarence Bongalos 02:01 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 10:08 The Impact of Fatherhood on Career Choices 18:16 Finding Purpose and Taking Risks 28:36 Manifesting Ideas into Reality 38:17 Reflections and Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

EP28: Drew Keith, President, Founder Programs at Open Access Ventures | "Purpose"

In this conversation, Drew Keith discusses the concept of finding one's purpose by exploring the intersection of personal passions, societal needs, potential for income, and individual expertise. He emphasizes the importance of identifying these elements to create a fulfilling life and career.   Keywords: purpose, passion, mission, calling, expertise, personal development, self-discovery, motivation, empowerment, career fulfillment Takeaways It's the collision of what you love, what the world needs. What you can be paid for and what you're good at. Build a circle of who you are and your purpose. Your passion, mission, calling, and expertise intersect. Finding purpose leads to a path of fulfillment. Empowering and motivating others is a key aspect of purpose. Self-discovery is essential in identifying your purpose. Visual diagrams can help clarify your purpose. Understanding societal needs can guide your career choices. Purposefulness is a journey of exploration and growth. Sound bites "It's the collision of what you love." "What the world actually needs is another factor." "Lead to a path of purposefulness." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Passion and Purpose 00:45 Getting Paid for What You Love

EP27: Jon Lenz, Founder & CEO of Br8kthru | "The Michelin Star of Digital Agencies"

In this episode, Kasey Devine interviews Jon Lenz, the CEO and founder of Br8kthru Consulting, a Minneapolis-based marketing and technology firm. Jon shares his journey from being an accidental entrepreneur to aiming for the first Michelin star in the digital agency space. The conversation delves into the importance of core values, company culture, and the role of business coaching in personal and organizational growth. Jon discusses the challenges of transitioning from a founder to a CEO and the strategic positioning of Br8kthru for sustainable growth in a competitive market. He emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with smarter individuals and the value of community in entrepreneurship.   Takeaways: * Jon Lenz aims to create the first Michelin starred digital agency. * Core values define the culture and positioning of a company. * Business coaching can help leaders grow alongside their organizations. * Transitioning from founder to CEO involves embracing new responsibilities. * Sustainable growth is more important than rapid expansion. * Positioning is key to standing out in a competitive market. * Surrounding yourself with smarter people is crucial for success. * The best clients are those who appreciate your unique value. * It's important to refine your messaging and positioning over time. * Community support is vital for entrepreneurial success. Keywords: entrepreneurship, business coaching, company culture, core values, marketing, technology, leadership, growth, positioning, Michelin star   Sound Bites * "It's lonely at the top." * "I didn't become CEO until three years ago." * "The riches are in the niches." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Br8kthru Consulting 01:27 The Michelin Star Analogy in Marketing 04:24 Core Values and Company Culture 12:56 The Role of a Business Coach 17:11 Transitioning from Founder to CEO 25:22 Future Goals for Breakthrough Consulting

EP26: Mark Boysen, Co-Founder & CEO of Naware | "We Smoke Weeds"

In this episode, Kasey Devine interviews Mark Boysen, founder of Naware, a company dedicated to revolutionizing weed control using steam technology. Mark shares the story behind the inception of Naware, detailing his frustrations with traditional weed control methods and how he pivoted from a different startup to focus on creating a safer, more effective solution. The conversation explores the importance of customer feedback, the challenges of product development, and the lessons learned along the way. Mark emphasizes the significance of embracing failure and iterating quickly to refine their product. He also discusses future aspirations for Naware and the importance of building connections within the community to drive the mission forward.   Takeaways * Mark Boysen is the founder of Naware, focused on innovative weed control. * Nawareaims to change weed control using steam technology. * The idea for Naware originated from personal frustrations with traditional weed control methods. * Customer feedback is crucial for product development and commercialization. * Mark emphasizes the importance of failing fast to refine the product. * The company is looking for lighthouse accounts to test their product. * There is a significant demand for safer, chemical-free weed control solutions. * Mark's journey highlights the challenges of hardware development and the need for precision. * The natural state of dirt is either grass or weeds, and grass is supposed to grow back after weeds are removed. * Building connections and networking is essential for startup success. Keywords: Naware, weed control, steam technology, lawn care, innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, sustainability, product development, startup Sound Bites * "We do smoke weeds." * "You really got to know what you're doing." * "The natural state of dirt isn't dirt." * "It's okay to fail." * "Your problems are getting smaller." * "Follow us, we welcome connections." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Naware and Mark Boysen 02:53 The Origin Story of Naware 06:16 From Frustration to Innovation: The Steam Solution 12:39 Commercializing the Idea: Feedback and Demand 18:19 Navigating Early Challenges and Customer Feedback 23:09 Future Aspirations and Product Development 27:13 Lessons Learned: Embracing Failure 30:06 Connecting with the Audience and Call to Action