Success Principles Podcast: Recent Episodes
Gina Wells & Catherine Toone
Welcome to The Success Principles Podcast with Gina and Cat.Michigan is known as the birthplace of Motown, headquarters to the auto industry, and home of the beautiful Great Lakes. The Success Principles Podcast, features professionals and entrepreneurs with ties to this great state, who have demonstrated innovation and success, both within and outside of our Mitten’s border. Everyone has their own unique journey to personal and professional prosperity. Gina and I have honest and insightful conversations with our guests on how they built their careers, what challenges they overcame along the way, and most importantly, what has defined their success.
Matt is the Communications, Recruiting and Business Development Director for Financial Architects in Farmington hills. Many may recognize Matt and his famous voice from his years as sports talk radio host at WDFM, 97.1 The Ticket and Detroit Sports 105.1 FM. He currently is the TV Analyst for Eastern Michigan University basketball and is the host of both the official Detroit Pistons “The Pistons Pod” podcast and “Locked on Lions” daily podcast. Matt is also a fill-in talk show host at 92-3 The Fan FM in Cleveland.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How his Ohian roots and backstory led to his current profession
- How Matt transitioned from sports broadcasting to marketing at Financial Architects
- What challenges he faced when shifting from the sports industry to a highly regulated industry such as finance
- Who were some of the influential people in his life and how they helped shape his success
- What his advice is for people that want to improve their marketing skills and strategies
Connect with Matt Dery:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dery-58958a120
Twitter:@DerySpeaks: https://twitter.com/deryspeaks
Website: https://www.financialarch.com/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: gina@yourfds.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Disclaimer:
Success Principles Podcast and Matt Dery are not affiliated.
Ryan is the Lead Sports Anchor for ABC Seven in New York. Before his big apple success, you will probably recognize him as the familiar face covering The Pistons, The Wings, The Tigers, all our favorite sports teams right here in Detroit and he now has seven Michigan Emmys to his credit.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How his Michigan roots and backstory led to his current profession
- What his aspirations were and how he got interested in broadcasting
- Where his determination comes from and how it made him successful
- Who his mentors are and how they influenced his career
- What advice he gives to kids who want to get into this business
- What are some of the unique things he is aspiring to do in New York or elsewhere
Connect with Ryan Field:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-field-a254aab6/
Instagram: Ryan Field (@ryanfieldabc) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Ryan Field - ABC7 New York
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: gina@yourfds.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Disclaimer:
Success Principles Podcast and Ryan Field are not affiliated.
Vicki Beltz teaches her SAFE framework, detailing the proper structure of a traditional financial product. Vicki's method provides perspective on mainstream financial advice and expands beyond it. She shares how many dollars can be protected from losses. She focuses on teaching how to use leverage to provide for a family's lifelong capital needs.
What you will learn from this episode:
- What Vicki’s background was and how she got started
- How she always knew her second phase career as an entrepreneur would be teaching the subject of personal finance
- How through her journey as an actuary, she discovered the right policy that would be able to help her, leading to a moment of great insight
- What her financial course is about and what people will learn along the way
- What she has found is one of the biggest things that people have to unlearn in order to pursue what really is a lifelong asset
Connect with Vicki Beltz:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-beltz-1860a4a/
Website: https://www.mylifelongasset.com/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Disclaimer:
Success Principles Podcast and Vickie Beltz are not affiliated.
Ryan is an Independent Financial Advisor and he shares how he got into the business and what success principles helped him overcome obstacles along the way.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How Ryan got into the business and more about his Michigan roots.
- Who his influences were and how he learned the ropes of financial planning
- How he worked with teachers in the past and what he’s focused on now.
- What struggles and obstacles he faced along the way and what success principles helped him overcome them
- What he is hearing now from existing clients on why they're glad they planned their retirement early on
- What shift he has seen in how people are planning for retirement given everything that's going on in the world right now
- What his opinion is on why Americans are underprepared for retirement
- Why freedom of time is really important to Ryan and is one of his favorite components of his career.
Connect with Ryan Barber:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-barber-b4733416/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Madeline is known as “Detroit’s First Lady of Wine”. She made history when she became the first American woman, the second woman in the world, and the ninth American to earn the coveted Master Sommelier title. She is currently the Head Sommelier for Plum Market and their 6 stores and has graciously joined us to talk a bit about her career and share with us her Success Principles.
What you will learn from this episode:
- What Madeline’s success principles are and how they led her to great achievements
- How she grew up in both New London, Connecticut and Athens, Greece but started her career in Michigan
- Why she admits she didn’t choose her profession but decided to work hard and do her level best
- How she became known as “Detroit's First Wine Lady”
- How she’s doing virtual wine tastings and how that works
- What her influences were along the way and who she is currently mentoring
- What she sees on the horizon and what she thinks about the wine and services industry during these uncertain times
Resources:
For those who are interested in pursuing wine education, either as consumers or professionally, here are some excellent resources.
Guild Somm, wine education and community
Tim Gaiser, MS blog on wine tasting
Court of Master Sommeliers, 4 levels of certification
Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET)
Connect with Madeline Triffon:
Plum Market and Madeline are available to host corporate and private tasting events. For more information, contact Madeline
Email: madeline.triffon@plummarket.com
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Shannon is the Founder and CEO of Brew Export and was previously the Host and Producer of a TV Show called Pure Brews America which won a Michigan Emmy Award. She started her business right after college and her entrepreneurial spirit and determination led her to inevitable success.
What you will learn from this episode:
- Where Shannon grew up and how she became a successful entrepreneur
- How college influenced her decision to start a business
- How she builds relationships with breweries in the United States and exports across the world
- What were some important lessons she learned early on in her career
- What her vision is for this company and how she sees it growing
- What and who helped mentor her and instill the entrepreneurial spirit she has today
- How she defines what success looks like to her now and in the future
Resources:
Pure Brews America
Connect with Shannon Long:
Website: http://www.brewexport.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonlong1/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Karyl Eckerle is the CEO of The Impact Image Group. She’s a brand and image expert who specifically focuses on helping professional women create strong and dynamic first impressions by strategically harnessing their confidence, credibility, and expertise.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How she started and became successful in the image consulting business
- How she focuses on helping women be seen, heard, and remembered
- What her Michigan roots are and how her parents influenced her entrepreneurial spirit
- Why competition does not intimidate her because she is confident that she brings something specific
- How she works with people on their personal branding and what the process looks like
- How she thinks both professional and personal brands relate and complement each other
Resources:
Your Image Impact: 49 Tips to Find Your VOICE in a Crowded Space by Karyl Eckerle
Image Impact™ assessment
Connect with Karyl Eckerle:
Email: karyl@theimageimpactgroup.com
Website: www.theimageimpactgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karyleckerle/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theimageimpactgroup
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Karen Majeske is another woman in our series (Women In Retirement) who has retired this year after a long successful career and has done some planning to get there. Karen is going to share some of her knowledge about her success story and principles in Michigan.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How a sudden life change led her to change her retirement plan
- What she did to have a long and successful career at the company she worked for
- How being resilient allowed her to overcome the hardships she had to face along the way
- How she started as a receptionist at her job and succeeded in becoming the General Manager
- How she was the only woman in the state certified in electronic engineering
- What her plans are for retirement and more about her new endeavors
- How she was able to persevere in order to achieve her goals
Connect with Karen Majeske:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmajeske/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Brad is the Owner & President of Draught Horse Brewery in New Hudson, Michigan. He followed his dream of starting his own business and his perseverance and hard work helped him achieve his goal.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How he got started in the brewing business and how it went from his garage to a brewery
- How he always dreamt about owning his own business and why being an entrepreneur appealed to him
- How his hands-on experience in the industry led him to success
- How the pandemic has affected his business
- What helps his team stay cooperative and build the business
- What challenges he faced along the way and how he overcame them
- What he sees coming for the craft beer industry and for his business
Resources:
Brad has offered viewers of the podcast 50% off of beer
Connect with Brad Tiernan:
Business Name: Draught Horse Brewery (pronounced DRAFT HORSE)
Business Address: 57721 Grand River Ave, New Hudson, MI 48165
Website: draughthorsebrewery.com
Phone Number: (248) 770-1029 call/text
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steventiernan
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Renee Costa is the former Sr. VP of Legal at AlixPartners and recently retired. She shares her story and success principles from her Michigan routes on to where she’s at today, and how she was successful in the positions that she held along the way.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How she started with a vision of being an Executive Secretary when she was in high school
- Where her work ethic came from and how she carried it throughout her career
- How she got started at AlixPartners and worked there for 25 years
- How delegation was one of the principles that led her to success
- How she has achieved the dream of retiring at 64
Connect with Renne Costa:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-costa-109b286/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Levan Wood is a real estate broker and owner of RE/MAX Eclipse and its multiple Oakland County offices, as well as a licensed mortgage broker for Motto Mortgage First. He's the author of the book, Own Your Own Space. Levan is also featured in the recently released movie Beyond the Secret: The Awakening.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How he got into his real estate career and what his life looked like prior to doing so
- What struggles he encountered along the way and how he overcame them
- What books influenced his way of thinking
- How Michigan played a role in his life and how that led him to start as a realtor
- How he wrote a book called “Own Your Strength” and what it’s about
- How he participated in the movie Beyond the Secret - The Awakening
- What his advice is on how to keep focusing on the future
Resources:
Books:
- The magic of thinking big by David Schwartz
- The power of focus by Jack Canfield
- Success Principle by Jack Canfield
- Think and Grow Rich
Movies:
- The Secret
- Beyond The Secret - The Awakening
Connect with Levan Wood:
Business Address(s): 1700 W Big Beaver Suite 300 Troy, MI 48084
Website: levanwood.com
Phone Number: 248-770-1029 call/text
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levan-wood-2874629/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levan.wood
GOOGLE Levan Wood
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Karen Hilt is the owner of Apogee and My Secret Stash in Traverse City, Michigan. Karen started with a hobby of making soap and after selling in art shows, maker's markets, and partnering in many galleries and shops, she brought her longtime friends and makers under one roof to offer an eclectic array of finery. Her shops include a variety of locally made items supporting Michigan’s small business owners.
What you will learn from this episode:
- When she decided that she wanted to become a business owner and how she succeeded
- What she sells in her stores and what differentiates them from each other
- How being driven and moving towards her target lead her to success
- What challenges she faced creating her stores
- How she started using social media to promote her business
- What principles guided her success
- What she suggests to business owners that are having financial issues
Resources:
10% off purchase at both shops when you check-in or post on Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, or Google.
Connect with Karen Hilt:
MySecretStash.com
122 Cass St, Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 929-0340
info@mysecretstash.com
ApogeeTcMI.com
219 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 421-3199
hello@apogeetcmi.com
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Michelle Daniels is chief chocolatier at Homemade Chocolates by Michelle, located in Flint, MI. Michelle began crafting chocolates as a hobby for family & friends. Infused with the creativity of an artist and lovingly crafted with a personal touch, Homemade Chocolates by Michelle is now a thriving business providing fresh; handcrafted, delicacies with unique and custom packaging perfect for special events and occasions.
What you will learn from this episode:
- What Michelle’s experience was like building her business from her basement
- What marketing strategies she uses to get her brand out there
- What struggles she encountered along the way and how she overcame them
- How perseverance and hard work led her to success
- How COVID affected her business and how she used innovation and creativity to continue thriving
- What she sees in the next five years for her business
- Why a great team is essential to success
Connect with Michelle Daniels:
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-daniels-8670b9170/
Website:https://www.michelleschocolate.com/
Homemade Chocolates by Michelle
Store Address: 1479 W Bristol Rd - Flint, MI 48507
Store Hours:
Mon - Wed: 10AM - 4PM
Thurs: 10AM - 6PM
Fri: 10AM - 4PM
Sat - Sun: Closed
Store Phone: 810-391-6991
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Rebecca Smoker is the Director of Detroit Lions Cheerleaders & Entertainment. She is an accomplished professional entertainment director well versed in game entertainment, pageants, and special events - from show production and game operations to fan engagement, cast management, and overall talent development. Rebecca empowers women to be the best they can be in the pageant, dance, cheer, and entertainment industries.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How her career transitioned from performing to coaching
- How her perseverance and determination led her to success
- How she helped get the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders team together and how they started
- What advice she gives to younger girls that come to her as a mentor in the professional sports dancing industry
- What the auditioning process is like and what type of people she looks for
- What she sees in store for her career in the future
- What are some of the principles that have defined her success
Connect with Rebecca Smoker:
Website: https://www.detroitlions.com/cheerleaders/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-girard-smoker-31947540/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detlionscheerleaders/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroitlionscheerleaders/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Teresa Baker is the owner of Brown Boy Brown Girl, LLC a company dedicated to highlighting positive images in books for Children of Color as well as inspiring children through reading and entrepreneurship. Teresa is also co-author of “Josie’s Bedazzled Shoes”.
What you will learn from this episode:
- What the mission of Brown Boy, Brown Girl is and why she felt the need to start the company
- How Teresa’s Michigan roots shaped her experience
- What struggles she encountered as an entrepreneur and how she overcame them
- What principles guided her success
- How she encourages and supports kids to have an entrepreneurial spirit
- What advice she gives to young entrepreneurs and a few important lessons learned along the way
Connect with Teresa Baker and Brown Boy, Brown Girl:
Website: https://www.brownboybrowngirl.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-baker-25434148/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownboybrowngirl/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownboybrowngirlpage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbbg_llc?lang=en
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Christopher Molidor is President at Sure Shots CBD and is joined by his wife Carly Molidor. Sure Shots CBD is a licensed, industrial hemp-based CBD products company located in Rockford, Michigan. Dedicated to helping those achieve a better life, Sure Shots CBD products are designed to nourish and support a synergistic balance between mind, body, and spirit.
What you will learn from this episode:
- How they started and how they successfully moved their business to where it is today
- What the process is of creating CBD oil from harvest to market
- What are the medicinal properties of CBD oil and what it is used to treat
- What the main difference is between CBD and marijuana
- Why Christopher described CBD as the “Wild West” and how he urges people to know their source
- How pet owners have turned to CBD to treat ailments in their pets
- How Sure Shots CBD differs from other competitors in the market
Resources:
Christopher & Carly Molidor, owners of Sure Shots CBD have generously offered listeners of the Success Principles Podcast 20% off their Sure Shots orders!
Enter code splistener20 at check out to receive your discount.
Connect with Christopher and Carly Molidor:
Website: www.sureshotscbd.com
LinkedIn Christopher Molidor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-molidor-3224a61a5/
LinkedIn Carly Molidor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlymolidor/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com
Ray and Sheilah Markham are the owners of California Closets with three locations: Commerce Township, Birmingham, and Michigan Design Center. They have been offering personalized storage solutions for over 30 years to the residents of Michigan. They design and install custom storage solutions anywhere in your home including mudroom, pantry, home office, garages, and closets Their distinctive solutions and success principles have drawn them a loyal following across the Great Lakes state.
What you will learn from this episode:
- Why they decided to invest in California Closets instead of other franchises
- How they now offer virtual consultations over the phone and through video calls due to the coronavirus outbreak
- What hurdles and challenges were faced while growing the business
- What they do to bring their team to success and how taking care of customers is part of their DNA
- How Ray’s best friend started out as a customer who wanted storage solutions for his garage and why this project was particularly memorable
- How some of their new customers are the children of clients from 30 years ago
- What their most important success principles are and how they brought them where they are today
Connect with Ray and Sheilah Markham:
Website: www.californiaclosets.com
Email: rmarkham@calcloset.com
LinkedIn Ray Markham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-markham-67573a7/
LinkedIn Sheilah Markham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilah-markham-13a31743/
Connect with Gina Wells and Catherine Toone:
Email: Gina@advanced-capitalgroup.com
LinkedIn Gina Wells:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacwells/
LinkedIn Catherine Toone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-toone-7a46937/
Website: www.successprinciplespodcast.com