Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do

Our guest, John Nepper, speaks to educators and administrators to create more connection. After 35 years as a band director he is now a joyful teacher in a world of human potential.  About John Nepper After 35 years as a professional music educator, and earning a black belt in Karate, you could say that John Nepper has a black belt as a professional educator.  And while it’s true that he can break a patio block in half with his bare hands, what really matters is that John can break workplace culture, staff retention, and employee morale strategies into small, easy-to-digest, and implementable pieces that can be applied quickly to make positive changes. This means that administrators and principals keep the best and brightest staff members, keep them motivated to do well in their jobs, and experience less stress for themselves.  Honored as Kenosha, WI Unified Schools Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the Herb Kohl Educational Fellowship, John Nepper works with school district administrators and schoo

About Bill Humbert Bill Humbert is unusual in his field. He has over 40 years of Expert Recruitment experience spanning many industries. He has recruited and consulted with companies from start-ups as small as 11 professionals, including the Venture Capitalist, to major international corporations with tens of thousands of employees. His model is to work with One company at a time and charge a flat monthly fee. This enables him to recruit from C-Level to Laborer, and consult on recruitment process improvement. During a recruiting contract with MCI Telecommunications in 1993, the recruitment advertising manager in Dallas called him “RecruiterGuy”. On this contract, MCI was transitioning Commercial Billing IT Development from Washington, D.C. to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bill was informed that in the first 12 months of the contract from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993, the managers and he needed to hire and have a minimum of 120 IT professionals from Senior Manager to staff Programmers in their seats in Cedar R

On this episode of the "Making Waves at C-Level" podcast, Thom Singer talks with the author of "Weird Girl Adventures", Shelley Brown. Shelley is a speaker and and expert on belonging and well-being. In this conversation she shares her formulas on how to help people find their sense of belonging. Thom adds to the chat that in 2022 it is the year of the weird. No longer does one have to look the same or wear the right clothes to be part of the team. Individuality rules in today's world.    About Shelley Brown Shelley Brown was working in a cocktail bar soon after graduating college when she met the people who would change her life. They worked in hospitality at the Westin Hotel in Chicago, and they thought she’d be a good addition to their team. They were right. She interviewed for and landed the job of concierge, or as she refers to it, “professional friend.” To Shelley, this was the perfect job for her considering her mantra was, “Who can I make friends with today?” Her job was to provide resources, buil

Kenneth Kinney is a marketing expert and speaker who has worked with dozens of large and small companies to help them grow through marketing. In a world with lots of conflicting advice on marketing, Kenneth takes a realistic view and helps companies have a consistent message. He is also one of those people who chooses to go diving with real live sharks.  About Kenneth Kinney Kenneth "Shark" Kinney is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, experienced marketing consultant, and growth executive. He is passionate about lead generation and leveraging data in omni-channel strategies and is known for driving growth in Digital Marketing and Addressable TV.     Recognized as one of the industry's top Marketing, Customer Experience, and Technology Speakers, Kenneth brings deep level expertise in Lead Generation, Marketing, Customer Experience, and TV and Digital Advertising, Shark has served, worked with, and consulted for hundreds of small, medium, and large businesses and non-profit organizations.  He has led nationa

If your association of company hosts an annual meeting for members or clients, you should consider hosting a podcast that is dedicated to promoting your event. Keep people engaged before, during, and after you meeting with a customized podcast that has 6, 12, or 52 episodes. Thom Singer has been hosing podcasts for over 7 years, and is now working with associations and companies to create short run podcasts to help market the conference and keep people engaged long after they fly home. There are four reasons to have special podcast that centers on your conference: 1. Promote the event before, during, and after the on-site meeting. 2. Repurpose content. 3. Interview key players; speakers, sponsors, industry VIPs, and attendees. 4. Keep the community engaged. Having fresh content each week is a great way to reach out to people without just sending marketing and sales copy. Your podcast, when done right, will have in-depth interviews and information that cannot be round anywhere else. This will make people p

Growing your career is one thing, but keeping it going is something else. The guest on episode 687 knows how to not only "Raise Your Game"... but how to "Sustain Your Game". Alan Stein Jr is a speaker, author, and performance expert who has a lot of great advice on how to succeed as an individual and a team. Alan Stein Jr is the hardest working person in the speaking business. He began his keynote career five years ago, and is now one of the busiest speakers in the United States. He has a great attitude and a work ethic that is hard to beat.  About Alan Stein Jr. Alan Stein, Jr. is an experienced keynote speaker and author. At his core, he’s a performance coach with a passion for helping others change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). Through his customized programs, he transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance. Alan is a dy

In Episode 686 we talk about thriving in business over the long run. The guest, Dave Yoho, started his business in 1962 and has run the daily operations as president every day for nearly 60 years. He is now 93 years old and is still learning, growing, and making decisions to expand his business.  We talk about how the word of business has changed, and how it has stayed the same. People still struggle with sales, marketing, training, hiring, business plans, replicable models, etc...  Dave Yoho is dedicated to understanding the needs of others and how to convey messages which will benefit his clients, readers, and audience members in finding solutions to problems. His secret to success and longevity? Energy, Persuasion, Optimism, and Discipline.   Thom closes the interview by pointing out that many people look to the 22 years old entrepreneur for advice, when looking to someone with nearly 7 decades in business might be a better way to find a path to long-term success.  About Dave Yoho Founded a company at

Episode 685 is a conversation about company culture. In starting your company, growing your company, or managing the move to a virtual workplace, the culture is key to success. The guest on this show, Rich Walker, has been obsessed with culture even before he started his company.  In this interview he shares 4 key tips to the culture of his organization: 1. We must design software so easy to use that it does not need a users guide. 2. We must provide outstanding customer service. 3. We love what we do and we hire people to roles they want and love. 4. We do what we say we are going to do.  About Richard Walker Richard Walker is the CEO and co-founder of Quik!. Having started 10 companies since age 12, published 2 books, and father to three boys, Richard empowers people to do their best work. Prior to starting Quik!, Richard was a financial advisor with Financial Network and a business consultant with Arthur Andersen. He started Quik! in 2002 to help people spend less time on paperwork and more time on w

In episode 684 Thom Singer talks with tech sales superstar Chris Bussing about how to "Get The Meeting". Sales is a great career, but before you can get to closing the big sales and collecting the commission, you have to get the meeting with the prospect. Throughout his sales career, Chris Bussing has been applauded for his talents in getting past the voicemail, reaching prospects, and getting the meetings.   In this interview Chris Bussing shares his five tips and the "TRUMP CARD" of how to get meetings. When working in a sales career, lead generation is just the first step. It is convincing that lead to talk to the sales professional / business development executive. Figuring out the right mindset and understanding ways to objection handling is key to a successful sales career.   Chris Bussing says: Nothing is better than a warm lead (this is the "Trump Card" key to getting appointments). But if you do not have an introduction from a mutual connection, the 5 tips are: 1. Relate like a rock start 2. Chan

Episode 683 is a conversations with Bob Pike. Bob helps people unlock learning and unleash performance. People are told to learn, but not taught to learn. He spent his long career showing others the power of learning. He built a multi-million dollar training and consulting company that he sold (but that does not mean he retired! He is still actively teaching and motivating others). Starting as a pastor her joined a training company, and then another training company, before realizing he could not earn everything he wanted if other people were calling the shots. He has learned along the way to invest in himself and others in good times and bad. And even though he has had some situations where others took advantage of him in business, he never stopped. He actively decided to make everything a lesson and recommit to growth.   Some key points in this interview: 1. Invest in people 2. learn from every situation 3. take risks 4. Break goals down into smaller ones and let everyone contribute 5. Work with Passion

For episode 682, Thom Singer sits down with Mark Victor Hansen to talk about how when you "A.S.K. you G.E.T.". This is a motivational interview that will challenge you to think bigger.   About Mark Victor Hansen Mark Victor Hansen is best known as the co-author for the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and brand, setting world records in book sales, with over 500 million books sold. Mark also worked his way into a worldwide spotlight as a sought-after keynote speaker, and entrepreneurial marketing maven, creating a stream of successful people who have created massive success for themselves through Mark’s unique teachings and wisdom. With his endearing charismatic style, Mark captures his audience’s attention as well as their hearts. Having spoken to over 6,000 audiences world-wide with his one-of-a-kind technique and masterful authority of his work, time and again he continues to receive high accolades from his audiences as one of the most dynamic and compelling speakers and leaders of our time. He is

In this interview, Kymberli Speight sits down and shares her definition of networking and why business relationships matter.   About Kymberli Speight Kymberli Speight believes in enhancing your personal brand to reach your target audience. She is an author, professional speaker and executive coach. She wrote the book I Need To Know You: How to Meet Ordinary Extraordinary People and Improve Your Life where she chronicles her journey meeting 100 people in 100 days—their stories—and what she learned along the way. Kymberli knows people do business with, promote, and hire people they know, like, and trust, but first you must become known. She also believes that people’s stories play a powerful role in changing the lives of others. Everyone, not just celebrities, has a story worth being told. She regularly speaks to audiences about networking and improving your personal brand. “Kymberli is an excellent presenter, and brought the material to life even in a virtual setting. Kymberli brought an interesting appro

In episode 680 of the "Making Waves at C-Level" podcast, we meet Jill Raff. She is an expert on employee experience and in this interview she shares how to be an employer of choice via how you treat you people. When you build the right culture inside your company, you positively impact the bottom line.   About Jill Raff Jill Raff is the globally recognized expert, amongst the Top 150 Global Customer Experience Thought Leaders and Influencers, who works with executive leadership who recognizes the paradigm shift; the non-negotiable creation of a more humanized work culture prioritizing their internal customers, their employees.  Through speaking, consulting, courses, and workshops, Jill helps clients, such as McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, that acknowledge their people are their greatest asset, and need help creating systems and procedures to develop the collaborative culture which exhibits this core value. Work with Jill to become the Employer of Choice and gain employee and customer lifetime value through her

In episode 679 Cheryl Jones joins the conversation on "Making Waves at C-Level" to talk about MINDSET. She helps people change what they do so that they can reach their dreams. People often get stuck in their minds, and Chery is an expert in helping people see how their thoughts are misleading them. About Cheryl Jones Cheryl C Jones is a speaker, author, and mindset transformation coach. She works with successful women who secretly struggle with impostor syndrome, self-sabotage, or over-worry and are ready to make BIG changes in their lives. When she speaks, she delivers informative and interactive presentations that immediately transform minds and behavior. When she coaches, she identifies and clears the thoughts and beliefs that have limited her client’s ability to accomplish her goals – freeing her to soar to greater heights.   Cheryl has over 25 years of experience influencing the way individuals think to be more positive and proactive. She has shaped the thinking of those in the medical, hospitality, s

On this episode of "Making Waves at C-Level" we hear from Rick Lozano, the author of Acoustic Leadership. He shares his person journey and how when he added his passion for music into his business, it all came together. Be sure to listen to the whole interview, as the parody song about how people send annoying LinkedIn connection requests is unique and fun. About Rick Lozano Rick Lozano, CSP, helps people unlock potential and amplify their talent, and he does it all with his unique blend of energy, expertise, and a musician’s soul.   With twenty years of experience in award-winning talent and leadership development programs, Rick brings his unique approach to audiences across the globe, combining his expertise as a world-class speaker with his talents as a singer/songwriter and musician.   He is the author of Acoustic Leadership – Develop A Leadership Culture That Resonates and the owner of Unlock & Amplify®. He has built a reputation for his refreshing delivery that leaves audiences raving and - more impor

With all the changes in the world of meetings, many executives are seeking to up their game at speaking. Speaking for business leaders takes many forms. Boardrooms, Zoom Calls, Huddles, Industry breakouts, Keynotes, Television interviews, employee meetings, sales kick offs, etc.... How to become more comfortable is something more and more business leaders want to learn. My phone recently began ringing with requests to coach people on how to speak better in a variety of situations. This is not from people seeking to become paid professional speakers, but from entrepreneurs and CEOs who know they will have more influence if they are more comfortable when they address groups. In this episode I talk about all the different things you may need to think about if you want to improve as a speaker, and I make a special offer to anyone who listens who wants to hire me as their speaking coach. https://thomsinger.com/presentation-skills-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 676 is an interview with Michelle Ray, the author of the new book "Leading In Real Time". In this conversation we talk about being ready, being responsive, and being relevant.  About Michelle Ray   How many people can identify with a predominantly negative leadership experience early in their careers? That was how Michelle Ray’s foray into the world of work began when she excitedly accepted a position in the media advertising industry while still living in Sydney, Australia. Upon hearing the words “you will never make it as a manager”, Michelle ignored her critical, misogynistic boss and worked her way up the leadership ladder, devoid of role models and mentors.   With a proven background in achieving outstanding results as a business leader, Michelle’s early experiences inspired to help leaders engage more meaningfully with their teams and create dynamic workplace cultures. She established her speaking, leadership training and consulting business in 1995, shortly after emigrating to Vancouver, Canad

Episode 675 of “Making Waves at C-Level” is co-produced in partnership with the Austin Technology Council, the largest tech industry organization in Central Texas. ATC empowers members through insights, resources, and connections so their members can succeed and thrive. This episode is an in-depth interview with Chris Schelling, the director of alternative investment at Venturi Private Wealth. Check out this conversation about what to do when private equity firms come knocking and how it can help you company grow.  About Chris Schelling Chris is the Director of Alternative Investments for Venturi Wealth Management. Chris is focused on sourcing, performing due diligence, and building portfolios of alternative investments for clients. As an institutional investor, Chris has invested roughly $5 billion and met with over 3,500 managers across hedge funds, real assets, private credit, and private equity in his career. Chris is also currently a contributing columnist for Institutional Investor and has authored ov

In this episode Thom Singer sits down with Craig Misrach, CEO of Uplyft. Thom met this experienced entrepreneur when Craig was a finalist in the San Diego Angel Conference in March 2021 (when Thom served as the master of ceremonies for this business competition). In this in-depth conversation the two talk about raising capital, manufacturing a product, building a team, and other important activities in growing a company. About Craig Misrach  Craig Misrach has over twenty years in business with CEO, CFO, and COO leadership experience growing medical device, diagnostics, and healthcare equipment companies while also professionally advising business owners and executive teams regarding mergers and acquisitions. He joined Uplyft in 2018 to spearhead the company's product launch and commercialization efforts. Prior to joining Uplyft, Craig was the founder, chairman, and CEO of Freedom Meditech, a diabetes medical device company her led from concept through FDA 510(k) clearance and global marking and sales.   C

In this episode Thom Singer sits down with Joe Curcillo to talk about how to build a unifying vision for your team. When you people experience belonging, meaning, and contribution, that is when the magic happens in your company.   ABOUT JOE CURCILLO A dynamic, insightful and entertaining problem solver. That’s Joe Curcillo — and his thought-provoking, real-life experiences as a prosecutor, mentalist and bestselling behavioral author have made him a widely popular and uniquely positioned motivational speaker for corporations and organizations working to unify and empower their personnel to achieve greatness as a team. Joe’s mission is simple: He’s passionate about discovering productivity breakdowns in the workplace, understanding how and why they exist and designing strategic yet easy-to-implement solutions that improve efficiency and creativity, increase loyalty companywide and more passionately deliver results centered around your vision. Just as important, Joe will ensure everyone thoroughly enjoys the