dualGeek podcast: Recent Episodes
Advantage Media Group
Welcome to Upside: The Business Growth Podcast, a podcast for entrepreneurs and leaders focused on finding the biggest possible upside in business, and in life. Every week on Wednesdays we'll feature interviews with leading entrepreneurs, leaders, business growth strategists and other experts to help you on your journey to business and personal growth. Upside is hosted by entrepreneur, speaker and bestselling author Rusty Shelton and sponsored by ForbesBooks and Advantage Media Group.
Since 2010 Jacob ran his own Leadership and training organization, Yeda LLC, which gives seminars and courses to entrepreneurs and business owners. Currently, most of his work is consulting and training for organizations that are looking to implement best of class leadership and management practices. In 2011 Jacob was featured in a weekly newspaper in a yearlong column of leadership and management. This eventually turned into a book writing project, which is now complete. “The Prosperous Leader” is now available on Amazon. (Audio as well). Jacob is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and business owners succeed in their businesses. His mission is to empower leaders and managers through giving them the knowledge to change (Yeda” in Hebrew is knowledge) and helping them implement the changes in their organizations. Jacob is a Certified Myers Briggs evaluator, Certified 7 Habits for highly effective people facilitator, Certified Positive Psychology coach and trained with Roy Cammarano, Author and Consultant on his Entrepreneurial Transitions theory. Previously Jacob was the COO of a 200MM family food and real estate enterprise. Jacob is the author of The Prosperous Leader – How Smart People Achieve Success. (www.theprosperousleader.com).
Imtiaz Patel is a management consultant who has a proven track record of driving significant growth and profit improvement. He has extensive experience in a variety of industries, including retail, consumer goods, media, cybersecurity and financial services. As a consultant, he has led engagements for some of the best-known brands in the US and Europe and as an operator, he has conceived and launched businesses that have generated hundreds of millions in revenue. Prior to launching his own consulting firm, Imtiaz was the Head of Strategy & Business Development for The Children’s Place, where he was also the interim Chief Marketing Officer, led the international business and eCommerce. He also held a number of strategy and operational roles at Dow Jones & Company, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal. His tenure there was focused on driving a number of major transformation initiatives, including developing and executing on turnaround plans. His efforts resulted in a doubling of circulation revenue for The WSJ which a substantial increase in profitability. While at The WSJ, he also launched new businesses that extended the brand into new categories, including wine and travel. He has also spent 12 years in management consulting with Kurt Salmon Associates, Deloitte Consulting, and Scient, focused on the retail industry developing growth strategy, marketing strategy, customer analytics, cost reduction and new concept development. Imtiaz graduated from The London School of Economics with a B.Sc in Economics, Accounting, and Finance and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.
Heather Dominick is a woman who is impressively successful, and highly spiritual. A former high school drama teacher who collaborated with none other than Bette Midler. A graduate of NYU where she received her first coach training. Heather is the winner of the 2015 Best of Manhattan Coaching Award and creator of the 2014 Stevie Award winning virtual event A Course In Business Miracles®: 21-Day Discovery Series that attracted close to 6,000 official registrants from all around the world including: Iceland, Nigeria, Russia, Asia, South America, Australia, Europe and the U.S. She has appeared on Lifetime Television and has been published in numerous books including Stepping Stones to Success alongside Deepak Chopra An exceptional facilitator and teacher Heather is known for creating a safe, sacred community for true transformation whether she is teaching a Business Miracles® Class, delivering training online or in-person or mentoring members of her Business Miracles Community in her various Mentoring Programs. She has helped thousands of HSE®s release life-long limiting beliefs, overcome fears and learn how to build their business in a way that actually feels so good that they can’t help but create solid, sustainable, high level financial success. Heather is also the founder and leader of the Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur® movement.
Raméz A. Baassiri is first a student of the world and considers himself a global citizen. Through his experience working for over the past 2 decades in his multigenerational Family buisness AHB Group Investments , on his local board of his YPO chapter ; as well as serving on several other privately and publicly traded companies. He has gathered some unique insights on interruptions in business and shares those insights in his groundbreaking / amazon best selling Forbes Books release Interrupted Entrepreneurship - Embracing change in the family business, where he provides powerful insights that provide perspectives to manage a range of interruptions in family business. Through strategies that work, to stories that relate, Raméz gets to the core of the elements that matter to individuals and by extension their businesses. His positive approach is a voice that stands out in a sea of interruptions over time and provides a beacon of hope for family business across lands. He ventured to write his Book , after the unexpected passing for his father , who was the entrepreneurial force of their family business . Ramez’s goal is to seek answers to what else might he face going forward by learning from others interruptions and how they might have dealt with such changes across other family businesses .. He notes that the experience was very enlightening , where he found a number of common lessons on his journey researching the book .. forming a tapestry of images that he is hear to share some of it with us ...
Derek Gallimore is a serial entrepreneur who has experienced the fullest highs and lows of the entrepreneurial roller coaster. He has built multimillion-dollar property portfolios, has bootstrapped a 20 million dollar business and has seen it all come crumbling down. Derek has lived and worked in five countries and travelled through dozens more. He has embodied remote, online and international work since 2008 - well before the phrases were even coined. Derek has been outsourcing in Philippines since 2011 and believes that outsourcing is one of the most potent and transformative business tools available today. As a result, he founded Outsource Accelerator, which as the 'Alibaba of outsourcing', provides the gateway for businesses to connect with outsourcing suppliers.
Peter is an entrepreneurial-minded leader who leverages the power of internal and external relationships to accelerate growth within emerging and high-potential companies that have powerful intellectual property. His accomplishments include start-ups, turnarounds, and M&A (in the b2b services sector)—with results driven by practical strategy, focused execution, and a disciplined method of cost control. He has over twenty years of experience and has worked with a variety of thought leaders. He expertly leverages that along with his experience with such clients as IBM, Kraft, Microsoft, Avon, Hyatt and more. In addition, he has built and managed several consulting and professional development organizations. Peter is an information junkie and an avid reader of business books. He believes that taking great content and creating a platform to best support it takes a combination of art, science, logic, focus, passion and creativity.
ark Deutschmann is an entrepreneur, CEO, author and community builder who has worked with neighbors, city leaders and nonprofits for 30-plus years while helping shape development in Nashville and revitalizing the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Mark started selling real estate in 1986 and founded Village Real Estate Services in 1996, which now employs more than 350 agents and staff. In 2003, he started Core Development Services, a company actively developing Nashville’s urban center with adaptive reuse and mixed-use infill development. The Village Fund, the nonprofit and charitable arm of Village Real Estate Services, has provided $2 million in grants to organizations helping to enrich and strengthen Nashville. Mark is chair of the Urban Land Institute Nashville and recently stepped down after 6.5 years as president of Greenways for Nashville. He served on Nashville Mayor Megan Barry’s Transit and Affordability Task Force. He received the Community Service award from the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors in 2013 and the Sustainable Tennessee Award from the Tennessee Environmental Council in 2014. In his book One-Mile Radius – Building Community from the Core, Deutschmann shares what he has learned about activating Nashville’s neighborhoods, connecting them and helping them become sustainable, and using business as a tool for positive social change.
AJ Wilcox is a LinkedIn Ads pro who founded B2Linked.com, a LinkedIn Ads-specific ad agency, in 2014. As official LinkedIn partners, they manage among the world’s most sophisticated advertising accounts worldwide. He's a ginger & triathlete. He & his wife live in Utah, with their 4 kids, and his company car is a wicked-fast gokart.
Dr. Ronit Molko is the founder and principal of Empowering Synergy. Recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities and behavioral healthcare, she is a dynamic senior executive, entrepreneur and strategist. In 2001, Dr. Molko cofounded Autism Spectrum Therapies Inc. (AST), which grew into a highly respected, multi-state provider of services for individuals on the autism spectrum. In 2014, she sold her company to a private equity backed strategic buyer, and then served as President of Autism Services for the combined family of companies until early 2016. Today, as founder and Principal of Empowering Synergy, Dr. Molko conducts due diligence for investors exploring acquisitions in the behavioral healthcare space. She also consults as an expert in the field of service delivery for healthcare, with a special focus on behavioral healthcare and companies that provide services to families affected by autism and developmental disabilities. Dr. Molko has received several awards in recognition of her achievements in business as well as her leadership abilities and support for expanding opportunities for women. Most recently, she was recognized with a 2017 Woman of Influence Award by the Los Angeles Business Journal. In 2018, she released her latest work, “Autism Matters: Empowering Investors, Providers and the Autism Community to Advance Autism Services,” published by ForbesBooks, in which she takes a critical look at the autism services industry and identifies opportunities for advancement of services and business.
After growing one of his first PPC clients from 25 to 250 employees, Jacob realized he had a gift for using pay-per-click marketing to drive dramatic business results. To help more companies succeed online, Jake founded Disruptive Advertising, a PPC, and CRO management agency that has helped hundreds of companies realize unprecedented growth and profitability from the online advertising. In the four years since its founding, Disruptive Advertising has grown from two employees working in Jacob’s basement to a flourishing agency with more than 90 employees and a run rate of over $12 million- putting it at #145 on the 2017 Inc 500 list! Jake has spoken at numerous events and webinars including SMX, Kissmetrics, Create Nation, Unbounce, PRSA, Starfest, VWO and others and has a gift for both entertaining and educating his audience.
Carl Gould is a business growth expert who advises organizations to get to the next level. He is an entrepreneur who built three multi-million dollar businesses by age 40. His consulting firm has mentioned the launch of over five thousand businesses in 35 countries, and his team of mentor coaches have conducted over 75,000 sessions with entrepreneurs and executives worldwide. He has advised over 100 of the Inc. 500/500 Fastest-Growing Companies. Carl has written seven books on the subject of business strategy, leadership and personal growth, and co-authored "Blueprint of Success" with Stephen R. Covey and Ken Blanchard. He co-hosts "Quit and Get Rich", a weekly radio program, and is here today to share his insights from working with top companies from around the world.
Dr. Klauer is a lifelong resident of Granger, Indiana. He pursued his Bachelor of Science degree at Notre Dame University and later earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Ohio State University. His passion is educating his patients and giving them the tools to live healthier lives, often independent of medications and quick fixes. Since 2013, Dr. Klauer chose to limit his practice, TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Northern Indiana, to treating patients with craniofacial pain, TMD, and sleep breathing disorders. As he learned to identify the origin of patients' pain and sleep problems, it became increasingly clear that he could drastically impact their lives - now and in the future. Dr. Klauer is board certified with the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine and is also Diplomate Eligible with the American Board of Oralfacial Pain. In addition to treating patients at his practice, Dr. Klauer is a sought after lecturer for dental professionals across the globe. Outside of the office, Dr. Klauer enjoys an active life with his wife and four young children. He is the author of Achieve Your Victory: Solutions for TMD and Sleep Apnea.
As graduate of the University of California’s School of Dentistry, Dr. Patel is a leader in the movement to bring environmental health and well-being into the dental world. Dr. Patel has been in practice for 13 years. She believes in providing her patients with more than just world-class dental care. She also helps patients recognize the vital connection between dental health and whole body health. From the spa like comforts to high-tech non-invasive treatments, every aspect of her practice is thoughtfully designed and focused on cosmetics, comfort, and your lifelong health. Her mission in life is to help people live longer joyful lives and to build a nonprofit to help the underserved in India. Currently, she is writing a book, Age in Style, a guide to a youthful smile and healthy living with ForbesBooks.
Over the past 27 years, Randy Nelson built and eventually sold two successful businesses which have produced over $1 billion in sales. He is currently the CEO of Gold Dolphins, LLC, a coaching, speaking and consulting firm for entrepreneurial leaders and their leadership teams. Randy is a founding member of the Raleigh, NC chapter of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO). He has been a member of Vistage since 2004, and has attended the EO Birthing of Giants and EO Advanced Business Program at MIT, and the EO London Business School. Nicknamed the “Triangle’s Yoda”, he has a lifelong passion and successful track record for entrepreneurship and leadership. He served six and a half years as a Lieutenant in the Navy Nuclear Engineering Program, completing three years on the USS James Madison, a Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine from 1984-1987. Randy Nelson is a contributor to Forbes, and was selected as one of the initial authors to publish under the brand new ForbesBooks imprint. His first book in his Decision Series for Entrepreneurs®, The Second Decision, is an Amazon # 1 best-seller. Randy has served on the General H. Hugh Shelton Leadership Center Advisory Board at NC State University in Raleigh, NC for the past 15 years, chairing the Board in 2014-2015. General Shelton served as the nations’ #1 military advisor to both President Clinton and President George W. Bush during his service as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (1997-2001).
Peter Horst is a Fortune 500 CMO, having led marketing teams at Hershey, Capital One, TD Ameritrade and others. He’s built and managed some of the world’s most iconic brands and marketing campaigns. Peter now leads CMO Inc, a marketing consultancy, where he advises companies on brand and marketing strategy. He’s also a Forbes contributor, highly-rated keynote speaker and author of the book Marketing in the Fake News Era.
Ben is a seasoned finance and investment professional with 15 years of experience ranging from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. He is the founder of First Water, a Relational Finance firm providing finance function transformation and capital solutions to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and private equity portfolio companies. Since inception, First Water has partnered with dozens of companies, private equity firms, credit funds, and family offices to drive better business visibility, accelerated growth, improved profitability, and efficient execution on capital and transaction initiatives. Prior to First Water, Ben served in multiple institutional investment roles in New York City. He was a member of the Private Equity team at Fortress Investment Group, part of the Global Structured Solutions Group within the Fixed Income Capital Markets division of Citigroup, and an Investment Officer for credit opportunities and internal M&A for CapitalSource Finance. Over the course of his career, Ben has played an integral role in the execution of over $5B in debt and equity transactions. Ben graduated from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Economics and concentrations in Finance and Accounting. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a holder of the FINRA Series 79 and 63 securities licenses, an Eagle Scout, a former competitive chess player, and the author of the upcoming book Relational Finance: Better Teams. Better Growth. Better Deals.
Denise Walsh has helped over a million people find their purpose and fulfill on their God-given destiny. She started her career by working with families at a local mental health agency as a clinical psychologist, and has continued on to use her talents with It Works Global to build a large team of motivated, positive, and enthusiastic business owners. Her impact as a leader in the direct selling industry as a top income earner with It Works has given her a unique insight on what drives people to action. As a certified trainer with Jack Canfield, an elite coach with the John Maxwell Team, and the author of the Amazon best-seller, Retire Your Husband, Denise knows how to tap into a person’s ultimate potential and find their greatness. In her new workbook, she’s tapping into a combination of cutting-edge neuroscience, Biblical principles, and captivating real-world stories.
Dr. Joseph S. Galati, a native of Long Island, New York, was raised in a family where good nutrition and family were ways of life. Today, his practice, Liver Specialists of Texas and the Metabolic and Fatty Liver Center, is devoted to the care of patients with all facets of liver diseases, obesity, fatty liver, and nutrition-related disorders. Dr. Galati has been involved in clinical research in liver disease for the past thirty years, conducting studies in viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A Fellow in the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Galati has been an invited speaker both nationally and internationally, having lectured in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. He is a Diplomat in the American Board of Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology. Currently, Dr. Galati is the Medical Director of the Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease & Transplantation at Houston Methodist Hospital, one of the finest hospitals and research institutes in the United States. He is the founder of Your Health First Education, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide education and support to the public, raising awareness about liver disease, obesity, alcohol abuse, nutrition, disease screening, and early intervention. He is the author of Eating Yourself Sick: How to Stop Obesity, Fatty Liver, and Diabetes from Killing You and Your Family.
Larry Miles is a Principal of AdvicePeriod, a firm whose mission is to reinvent wealth management. His primary focus is providing strategic leadership for growth and profitability, while driving and maintaining a culture of excellence. Over a nearly two decade career, Larry has developed a wealth of leadership and business development experience. His teams have won “#1 Best Place to Work in Los Angeles” two different years at two different companies—the only leader to ever accomplish this. Larry earned a Bachelors degree from Amherst College, a Masters from the London School of Economics, and has taught courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization and is the author of It's That Simple - a book on how to build the professional services firm of the future, due out later this year.
Kevin G. Armstrong is an author, speaker, business advisor, disruptor and authority in implementing simple, proven management solutions – but simple doesn’t mean easy. In his diverse and accomplished career, he has taught at the high school and college levels, owned and sold small businesses, been an investment firm top seller, and worked in management as a VP at the corporate level, overseeing agencies throughout North America. Kevin has decades of experience helping business owners—from “mom and pops” to Fortune 500s—get more out of their business. Kevin currently leads a group of advisors at the Interdependent Training Group (ITG) which advises business leaders on creating clear vision and implementing strategies to hold their management teams accountable for delivering on their vision. For the past 20+ years of his career, Kevin has studied the important differences between the roles of ‘leader’ and ‘manager’ in business. His speaking engagements expand on this concept in an interactive, thought-provoking manner which disrupts current thinking and leaves audiences with a new understanding of how leaders can be leveraged through exceptional management to achieve business and personal success. Kevin is the author of The Miracle Manager: Why True Leaders Rarely Make Great Managers.