Widell and Boschetti on Risk, Trust, and Building a Design Firm | Hidden Foundations Ep. 7

Widell and Boschetti on Risk, Trust, and Building a Design Firm | Hidden Foundations Ep. 7

In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall sits down with Barrett Widell and Christina Boschetti of Widell and Boschetti to explore how two very different childhoods, careers, and creative paths became one business partnership. What started as a chance meeting at a Philadelphia park turned into a design firm built on trust, risk, resilience, and a shared instinct to keep moving forward. Barrett shares how leaving home at 14 to pursue ballet shaped her risk tolerance, independence, body image, and ability to reinvent herself. Christina reflects on growing up around hard-working parents, her mother’s wedding cake business, fashion design in New York, and how those early lessons shaped her work ethic. Together, they open up about partnership, conflict, motherhood, money, team culture, client trust, female leadership, and why design is only one part of building a successful creative business. Timecode Specific Chapters  00:00 Meet Barrett Widell and Christina Boschetti  00:50 The Chance Park Meeting That Started the Business  07:12 Starting a Business While Raising Young Kids  08:06 Risk, Ballet, and Leaving Home at 14  14:05 Christina’s Fashion Path and Entrepreneurial Upbringing  19:46 Why Their Partnership Works Like a Marriage  24:38 Building the Right Team and Learning From Mistakes  35:30 Teaching Kids About Money, Work, and Respect  39:28 Dinner Tables, Wedding Cakes, and Family Lessons  42:03 Body Image, Ballet, and Refusing to Shrink  49:15 Trust, Mental Resilience, and Business Partnership  52:46 Listening to Clients and Building Trust in Design  58:16 Handling Difficult Clients and Protecting Integrity  01:05:48 Capacity, Culture, and Female Leadership  01:15:00 Teaching Kids to Follow Passion A special thank you to The Franklin on Rittenhouse for graciously allowing us to record these episodes inside their hotel. Their hospitality, atmosphere, and attention to detail gave us the perfect setting to host thoughtful conversations and bring Hidden Foundations to life in Philadelphia. Check out their hotel here: https://www.thefranklinonrittenhouse.com/ https://www.instagram.com/franklinonrittenhouse/ Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders. Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://hiddenfoundations.com/#newsletter Learn more or connect with Kendall: Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/ SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HiddenFoundationsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VKN6BBbuVxNDl4zKh4E3O?si=0c56c9aebfaf402e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229 #HiddenFoundations #InteriorDesign #Entrepreneurship

Dr. Kavin Mistry on Longevity, Primal Health, and the Power of Giving

In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall Schoenrock sits down with Dr. Kavin Mistry, a board-certified neuroradiologist, to explore the hidden connection between childhood, longevity, health, and legacy. Dr. Kavin shares how growing up across India, Africa, and the United States shaped his view of resilience, adaptability, and human potential. The conversation moves from AI in medicine and biological age to the Hadza tribe, primal health, focused attention, gut health, 80/20 nutrition, grounding, parenting, and the habits that may help us age better. Dr. Kavin also shares a powerful story from his father about giving without expecting anything in return, and why that lesson may matter more than performance, health, or success. A special thank you to The Franklin on Rittenhouse for graciously allowing us to record these episodes inside their hotel. Their hospitality, atmosphere, and attention to detail gave us the perfect setting to host thoughtful conversations and bring Hidden Foundations to life in Philadelphia. Check out their hotel here: https://www.thefranklinonrittenhouse.com/ https://www.instagram.com/franklinonrittenhouse/ Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders. Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://hiddenfoundations.com/#newsletter Learn more or connect with Kendall: Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/ SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HiddenFoundationsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VKN6BBbuVxNDl4zKh4E3O?si=0c56c9aebfaf402e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229 #HiddenFoundations #Longevity #DrKavinMistry

Candice Shum on Family Business, Grit, and Leading Culligan KC | Hidden Foundations Ep. 5

In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall Schoenrock sits down with Candice Shum of Culligan Water in Kansas City to explore what it means to inherit, lead, and grow a third-generation family business. Candice shares how her grandfather built the company, how her mother fought her way into leadership in a male-dominated industry, and how those early lessons shaped Candice’s own approach to grit, growth, parenting, and team culture. The conversation covers family business tension, female leadership, scaling a company, working with a spouse, raising teenagers, teaching kids resilience, and why there is no perfect balance between work and home. Candice also reflects on what it means to give the next generation opportunity without handing them a shortcut. Chapters 00:00 Cold Open: Grit, Leadership, and Falling Forward 00:41 Meet Candice Shum 01:18 Growing Up Inside Culligan Water 03:08 Her Grandfather, Her Mother, and the Fight to Lead 06:07 Perseverance Through Family Business Highs and Lows 14:03 Taking Over and Driving Growth 22:07 Female Leadership in a Male-Dominated Industry 26:16 Balancing Motherhood, Business, and Family Expectations 34:19 Working With Family and Bringing Business Home 39:21 Teaching Kids Grit, Rejection, and Opportunity 53:58 The Red Thread Across Generations Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders. Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://hiddenfoundations.com/#newsletter Learn more or connect with Kendall: Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/ SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HiddenFoundationsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VKN6BBbuVxNDl4zKh4E3O?si=0c56c9aebfaf402e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229 #HiddenFoundations #FamilyBusiness #Leadership

Archie Menezes on Rock Bottom and Resilience | Hidden Foundations Ep. 4

In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall Schoenrock sits down with Archie Menezes to explore the life experiences that shaped his resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset. Archie shares how a head injury ended his banking career, brought him close to depression, and forced him to rebuild from rock bottom with the help of therapy, faith, family, and lifelong friendships. The conversation moves from Archie’s childhood in India and his father’s sacrifice abroad, to the lessons of gratitude, support systems, and “fail fast” thinking. Archie also breaks down his current work in microbiome science, AI, precision medicine, and how gut health may shape the future of recovery, longevity, and pharmaceutical innovation. Chapters:  00:00 Cold Open: Rock Bottom, Fail Fast, and Microbiome Science 00:52 Meet Archie Menezes 01:08 From HSBC Banker to Unexpected U.S. Journey 03:45 The Head Injury That Forced a Career Pivot 05:46 Therapy, Support Systems, and a Second Chance 12:17 Childhood in India and the Roots of Resilience 16:37 His Father’s Sacrifice and Understanding the Why 25:06 Parenting, Communication, and Teaching Toughness 28:05 Startup Signals, Trust, and the Microbiome Opportunity 48:31 Building the Right Team and Knowing What Not to Do 55:51 Gratitude, Perspective, and Final Reflections A special thank you to The Franklin on Rittenhouse for graciously allowing us to record these episodes inside their hotel. Their hospitality, atmosphere, and attention to detail gave us the perfect setting to host thoughtful conversations and bring Hidden Foundations to life in Philadelphia. Check out their hotel here: https://www.thefranklinonrittenhouse.com/ https://www.instagram.com/franklinonrittenhouse/ Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders. Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://hiddenfoundations.com/#newsletter Learn more or connect with Kendall: Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/ SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HiddenFoundationsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VKN6BBbuVxNDl4zKh4E3O?si=0c56c9aebfaf402e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229 #HiddenFoundations #Entrepreneurship #Resilience

From ACL Injury to Top Real Estate Agent | Hidden Foundations Ep. 3

In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall Schoenrock sits down with Andrea Desy Edrei to explore how childhood exposure to business, years of dinner-table dealmaking, and a major ACL injury at NYU helped shape the way she leads today. What started as a multigenerational real estate upbringing eventually became a career built on negotiation, resilience, relationship-building, and the ability to read people well. Andrea shares how her parents brought her into the world of real estate early, how sports shaped her ability to handle pressure, and why tearing her ACL ended up expanding her view of what her life could become beyond basketball. She also talks about New York, 9/11, her pivot into real estate full time, and what it takes to build a high-performing team and culture in a relationship-driven business. If you care about entrepreneurship, leadership, family influence, and the hidden patterns that shape success, this conversation is for you. Chapters: 00:54 Meet Andrea 01:15 Growing Up in a Real Estate Family 07:08 What Makes Andrea a Top Performer 09:39 Dinner Table Deals and Early Business Lessons 19:38 The ACL Injury That Changed Everything 24:24 From 9/11 to Real Estate 33:19 Sports, Business Resilience, and Family Balance Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders. Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible. Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://hiddenfoundations.com/#newsletter Learn more or connect with Kendall: Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/ SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HiddenFoundationsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VKN6BBbuVxNDl4zKh4E3O?si=0c56c9aebfaf402e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229 #HiddenFoundations #RealEstate #Leadership