Unveiling Journeys with Tiffany Alexander

From Pet Lover to Founder: Building an AI-Backed Pet Blood Bank to Save Lives

23 min · 21. mai 2026
episode From Pet Lover to Founder: Building an AI-Backed Pet Blood Bank to Save Lives cover

Beskrivelse

Can engineering, data, and supply chain thinking solve a life-or-death shortage in veterinary medicine? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with Erica Lopez, founder of Animal Blood Center, a mission-driven startup building a modern pet blood bank system for cats and dogs. Erica shares her journey from a curious, animal-loving kid in Florida… to an engineering student at the University of Florida… to working on reliability engineering at Apple—before walking away to solve a problem almost no one was talking about: the critical shortage of pet blood products. What starts as curiosity becomes a mission after she learns a devastating truth from veterinarians: pets are sometimes euthanized simply because lifesaving blood is unavailable or unaffordable. Bio: Erica Lopez is the Founder & CEO of Animal Blood Center, California’s first community-based pet blood bank, working to expand access to lifesaving blood products for pets and build a scalable veterinary donation system. With a background in reliability engineering at Apple and Intel and research experience at Harvard in semiconductor materials, she brings a systems-focused, technical approach to solving gaps in animal healthcare. Her mission is to modernize and scale pet blood donation infrastructure nationwide. We dive into: ✅ Why there’s a national shortage of pet blood products ✅ How pet blood banking actually works (and why it’s complex) ✅ Erica’s path from Apple engineering to startup founder ✅ How supply chain thinking applies to veterinary medicine ✅ The emotional reality vets and pet owners face ✅ Building Animal Blood Center from the ground up If you care about animals, startups, healthcare systems, or mission-driven innovation—this episode will stay with you. Connect with Erica Lopez: 🌐 Website: https://www.animalbloodcenter.org/ [https://www.animalbloodcenter.org/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericalopez29/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericalopez29/] 📧 Email: hello@animalbloodcenter.org #VeterinaryMedicine #PetHealth #AnimalWelfare #StartupStory #WomenInSTEM #Engineering #SocialImpact #PetLovers #EntrepreneurJourney #HealthcareInnovation #UnveilingJourneys If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

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Alle episoder

159 Episoder

episode From Rock Bottom to 3,000 Interviews: Journey of Resilience & Purpose cover

From Rock Bottom to 3,000 Interviews: Journey of Resilience & Purpose

Can one story change a life? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with Sara Troy, a veteran podcaster, author, personality coach, and founder of a global podcast network dedicated to sharing stories that inspire, heal, and transform. Sara opens up about her extraordinary journey—from battling chronic illness as a child, leaving school early, navigating life across England, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, to overcoming financial hardship and rebuilding her life through purpose-driven storytelling. Over the past 13+ years, Sara has interviewed nearly 3,000 people, helping amplify voices that offer hope, wisdom, and practical lessons for navigating life's challenges. Bio: Sara Troy is a podcaster, author, and mentor who helps people discover their purpose and share their wisdom. Through her platforms, Self Discovery Wisdom and Orchard of Wisdom, she amplifies inspiring stories, supports changemakers, and empowers others to create meaningful impact through personal growth, mentorship, and authentic connection. We dive into: ✅ How adversity shaped Sara’s mission and purpose ✅ The power of podcasting to create meaningful change ✅ Why resilience matters more than perfection ✅ The inspiration behind her books on forgotten children and seniors ✅ How listening deeply can transform your life ✅ Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself If you're interested in personal growth, resilience, storytelling, podcasting, or finding purpose through service, this episode is for you. Connect with Sara Troy: 🌐 Website: https://linktr.ee/saratroy [https://linktr.ee/saratroy] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/choosepositiveliving [https://www.linkedin.com/in/choosepositiveliving] 📧 Email: selfdiscoverywisdom@gmail.com1 #SaraTroy #Podcasting #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Storytelling #UnveilingJourneys #LifeLessons #EntrepreneurJourney #SelfDiscovery #Inspiration If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

2. juli 202626 min
episode From Nature Lover to Intentional Living Coach: Helping Women Reconnect with Themselves cover

From Nature Lover to Intentional Living Coach: Helping Women Reconnect with Themselves

What if the key to transforming your life isn't doing more—but becoming more intentional? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with April Wyett, founder of Living With Intention, breathwork facilitator, retreat leader, and community builder. April shares her remarkable journey from a nature-loving child and military spouse living around the world to helping people understand their nervous systems, reconnect with themselves, and create meaningful change through intentional living. Drawing from experiences in Japan, sociology and psychology studies, work with at-risk youth, and years of personal growth, April explains how awareness, breathwork, and community can help people move beyond stress, burnout, and limiting patterns. Bio: April Wyett is a Somatic Performance Coach, retreat leader, and founder of Living With Intention, dedicated to helping people build nervous system resilience, self-awareness, and sustainable well-being. Drawing from her experiences living abroad, extensive travel, studies in sociology and psychology, and her own journey through burnout and self-discovery, she guides individuals and communities through breathwork, somatic practices, Reiki, immersive retreats, and transformational workshops. Through her coaching, global retreats, and community initiatives, April empowers people to move from stress and overfunctioning into greater clarity, presence, and intentional living. We dive into: ✅ How living in Japan shaped April's life and purpose ✅ Why understanding your nervous system changes everything ✅ The difference between healing and self-discovery ✅ How breathwork helps reduce stress and build resilience ✅ The power of community, retreats, and shared experiences ✅ Why intention without attention rarely creates lasting change ✅ Building a life aligned with purpose and personal growth If you're interested in personal development, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, breathwork, or intentional living, this conversation is packed with wisdom and practical insights. Connect with April Wyett: 🌐 Website: https://livingwithintention.co/ [https://livingwithintention.co/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilwyett/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilwyett/] 📧 Email: april@livingwithintention.co #IntentionalLiving #Breathwork #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #NervousSystemHealth #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #CommunityBuilding #UnveilingJourneys #LifeTransformation If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

29. juni 202629 min
episode Building a Business on Reliability: Entrepreneurial Journey cover

Building a Business on Reliability: Entrepreneurial Journey

What if the secret to business success isn't innovation—but reliability? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with entrepreneur and Help Agency co-owner John Balauat to discuss his remarkable journey through business, technology, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. From growing up in a military family and living around the world to building a career in sales, tech startups, stock market consulting, and agency ownership, John's story is filled with lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the power of relationships. John shares how Help Agency helps marketing agencies eliminate the headaches of web development through communication, trust, and reliability—qualities often overlooked in today's fast-paced business world. Bio: John Balauat is the co-owner of Help Agency, a white-label web design and development company that partners with creative agencies to provide reliable, high-quality website solutions without the typical outsourcing headaches. Raised in a military family and exposed to diverse cultures through years of travel and living abroad, John developed a passion for building relationships, communication, and problem-solving. With a background spanning business development, mortgages, technology, consulting, and entrepreneurship, he combines strong people skills with business expertise to help agency owners scale with confidence. Guided by his faith and a commitment to trust, reliability, and service, John focuses on creating lasting partnerships that help both clients and agencies succeed. We dive into: ✅ Growing up in a military family and living across multiple countries ✅ How constant change built resilience and communication skills ✅ Lessons learned from the mortgage industry and tech startups ✅ The surprising opportunity that came from a major acquisition ✅ Building Help Agency around trust, communication, and reliability ✅ Why networking and relationships continue to drive success ✅ The role of faith, perseverance, and grit in entrepreneurship ✅ John's advice for entrepreneurs facing difficult seasons If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, agency leader, or anyone building something meaningful, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration you won't want to miss. Connect with John Balauat: 🌐 Website: https://help.agency/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbalauat/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbalauat/] 📧 Email: john@help.agency #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AgencyLife #Leadership #Networking #BusinessDevelopment #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurMindset #SmallBusinessSuccess #UnveilingJourneys If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

25. juni 202629 min
episode From Microsoft Trainer to MSP Mentor: Building & Scaling a $7M IT Business cover

From Microsoft Trainer to MSP Mentor: Building & Scaling a $7M IT Business

What does it take to build, scale, and successfully exit a $7 million IT services company? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany sits down with Tim Thomson, entrepreneur, business coach, and former MSP owner who spent over two decades building a thriving managed IT services business before successfully exiting in 2022. Tim shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, to working for Microsoft, launching an IT company from scratch, and eventually becoming a mentor helping MSP owners scale their businesses faster and smarter. Bio: Tim Thomson is a technology entrepreneur, advisor, and former MSP owner who spent 25 years building and scaling businesses, including growing his managed IT services company to $7 million in ARR before exiting in 2022. Through Cyber Trends Inc., he now helps MSP owners and technology vendors accelerate growth, improve operational maturity, navigate AI adoption, and maximize business value through strategic planning and M&A guidance. Passionate about mentorship, Tim is dedicated to sharing his hard-earned experience to help other entrepreneurs grow faster and avoid costly mistakes. We dive into: ✅ How Tim built a $7 million managed services company from the ground up ✅ The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to scale ✅ Why ego is the most expensive item on your balance sheet ✅ Lessons learned from real-world business challenges and exits ✅ How AI is transforming the future of managed IT services ✅ Why "just start" may be the most powerful business advice you'll ever hear Whether you're an entrepreneur, MSP owner, business leader, or someone looking to build your next venture, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons from someone who's lived it. Connect with Tim Thomson: 🌐 Website: https://cybertrends.ca [https://cybertrends.ca] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timthomsoncti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timthomsoncti/] 📧 Email: tthomson@cybertrends.ca #MSPGrowth #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessCoaching #ManagedServices #LeadershipDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessScaling #TechEntrepreneur #UnveilingJourneys #SmallBusinessGrowth If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

22. juni 202621 min
episode From Graphic Designer to Debt-Free Coach: Helping Families Build Financial Freedom cover

From Graphic Designer to Debt-Free Coach: Helping Families Build Financial Freedom

What does it take to build a life centered on faith, family, and financial freedom? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with Lisa-Marie Hintze, founder of Fearlessly Debt Free, podcast host of Big Bold Moves Abundant Life, and a passionate advocate for helping families escape debt and create lasting financial stability. Lisa-Marie shares her inspiring journey from graphic designer and fitness instructor to entrepreneur, financial coach, and debt-free living expert. Along the way, she opens up about family, personal loss, resilience, and the lessons that shaped her mission to help others find hope during difficult financial seasons. Bio: Lisa-Marie Hintze is a faith-driven entrepreneur, financial coach, and host of the Big Bold Moves Abundant Life podcast who is passionate about helping families build wealth, eliminate debt, and create lasting financial freedom. Drawing from a lifetime of entrepreneurship, financial education, and coaching, she empowers people with practical strategies to accelerate debt payoff, improve financial awareness, and regain control of their future. Guided by her love for God, family, and service, Lisa-Marie’s mission is simple: provide hope, clarity, and actionable solutions that help others live their best life—financially and personally. We dive into: ✅ Growing up with strong entrepreneurial influences and work ethic ✅ Starting a business after being unexpectedly laid off ✅ Raising financially responsible children without debt ✅ Why debt can become a major obstacle to freedom and peace of mind ✅ Helping families find practical paths toward financial freedom ✅ The importance of faith, gratitude, and hope during life's challenges ✅ Why living your best life starts with changing your perspective If you're looking for inspiration around finances, family, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, this conversation is packed with wisdom and encouragement. Connect with Lisa-Marie Hintze: 🌐 Website: https://fearlesslydebtfree.com/bbmal-booking-page [https://fearlesslydebtfree.com/bbmal-booking-page] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-marie-hintze-11445013/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-marie-hintze-11445013/] 📧 Email: FearlesslyDebtFree@gmail.com #DebtFreeLiving #FinancialFreedom #PersonalFinance #FamilyFirst #FaithAndFinance #EntrepreneurJourney #UnveilingJourneys #FinancialCoaching #MindsetMatters #WomenInBusiness If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

18. juni 202632 min