Square Stories: Recent Episodes
SquarePlanet
At SquarePlanet, we believe insightful, impactful stories should be shared and celebrated. That’s why we created Square Stories, which takes a deep dive into what makes amazing individuals in business tick. The podcast very much follows the structure of its namesake — every episode covers four distinct sides of each guest. So come along for the ride as our founder and CEO Brian Burkhart gets the inside scoop about where our guests came from, where they are now, what they’ve learned along the way and what’s on the horizon.
Fascinated by human behavior, how we work and how we integrate, Craig Forman personally believes it could be better. His Mission: Help the world work better by improving how we work.
Hang on for the ride that is Randy Cohen. An authentic, humble and 100% optimist that lives by his “Whoo, Whoo” philosophy.
Partner at Torys LLP, an Edmonton native, fourth generation Muslim Canadian, and author of the new book, Say Please and Thank You and Stand in Line: One Man's Story of What Makes Canada Special, And How to Keep It That Way: Dany Assaf, a man of great energy, intelligence and purpose.
Marilyn and MHJ & Associates are committed to helping individuals and organizations build better, more diverse vendor partnerships. Marilyn isn’t just a business powerhouse, she’s charming, nice, funny and waaay too humble.
Stumbles into the advertising field, gravitates to the new business development function and the rest is history!
Shashi Mudunuri, a self-proclaimed “start-up guy” and “adrenaline junkie” was built for the roller coaster ride of startups.
Samantha McKenna’s natural abilities toward sales comes from her parents, which in her words, “my parents were exceptional at creating human relationships”. Her firm, #samsales Consulting, strives everyday to make as much as a positive impact as possible.
Alex has been a geek forever and he loves it! Writing his own game codes at 10 years old, Alex's mission has been to help people thrive at work by applying technology. His entrepreneurship is vast but always on the same path: technology matters.
Jay Steinfeld’s entrepreneurship started young, learning from his mother to do whatever, doing what needs to be done and stop the whining. From his high-school days selling custom t-shirts to Blinds.com, Jay Steinfeld always stayed curious which kept him innovating.
For Candi Luciano purposed driven brands are her jam. She found her grateful spirit during her journey of owning and selling her agency that has culminated with her becoming a “Vodkapreneur”.
Never give up, always do a little bit more than what is required of you, these mantras have pushed Clay Raterman, founder of Nadabot, to a walk-on for THE Ohio State football team and American Ninja Warrior. Listen as Clay lays out the road less traveled to entrepreneurship and the founding of Nadabot.
What do you get when you combine an Air Force Colonel with a nationally ranked boxer and a dean of a business school? Answer...just a few of the amazing ways to describe our guest today.
Rob, founder & CEO of Rise Up Coaching knows that when you are curious you learn, when you learn you build and when you build with intention you build authentically. In his first book, coming soon, 'The Social Soul, Mastering Your Personal and Professional Brand with Intentionality and Authenticity', Rob highlights the process for building your network across all platforms.
Jason Ferrara of Searchspring simplifies messaging providing direct value to the shopper and the ecommerce retailer.
LinkedIn, if you're in business you are on LinkedIn. Being on LinkedIn is far different from utilizing LinkedIn's capabilities to grow, promote and connect. Judi Hays, a LinkedIn expert, helps clients find their audience, make the connections and stand out from the crowd
Messaging; getting to the clear, consistent messaging is the mainstay for Jason Sieden of Brndstrm. Jason’s process guides companies to focus and find a path forward to success.
John Barrows never thought about a career in sales; Sales isn’t a career it is more of a way to raise money. Throughout his extensive sales career John discovered the sales experience has nothing to do with what you sell but how you sell.
Scott Kitun learned early on that having/adding value is how you became the cool kid. It will surprise you how Scott became the self-reliant adult that ALWAYS follows through on his word and commitment.
"Women In Tech, A Book For Guys” Eva Helen's upcoming book showcases her drive to bring the conversation between women and men together.
We have with us this week, the ultimate optimist - Joseph Shusterman of Bluemark. 11 years after starting Bluemark Joseph says the fun is just getting started. What started as a resource for promotional goods, Bluemark has evolved into a full service onboarding company whose goal is to free up their clients' time.
Dominic Vogel, Dom, is so much more than his profile, Founder & Chief Strategist, a whole lot more!! We learned the depth of Dom from all things cyber security to compassion, kindness and empathy. Through the gift of entrepreneurship Dom found out who he was meant to be!
Following a career working for others Walker McKay took the leap to entrepreneurship and started the No BS Sales School. His passion, showing founders, managers, and salespeople how to cut through their BS in order to be more successful and authentic while selling.
Abby Miller Levy has had quite a career with companies like OXO, Thrive and Soul Cycle. But her company, Primetime Partners grew from her work in the health and wellness sector and her passion around transforming the quality of living for older adults.
What do you want to do tonight? What do you want for dinner? Do you like this couch for the family room? Decisions, decisions, decisions, Cobble’s CEO and founder, Jordan Scott decided early on she wanted to help make those decisions effortless or at least less daunting. The ultimate decision is yours - We Cobble, Do You?
Jessica Schaefer’s passion is working with founders that want to solve really big problems; founders that want to bring access in the tech and investment world to more people. Honing her skills with Point72, Jessica started her own firm, Bevel PR, where she applies a pragmatic approach to public relations, really good narratives; “Don’t go to the media with every story”.
From IPO to CEO Kurt Donnell has quite an impressive resume in a short work history. His curiosity brought him to learn and see all different aspects of life which he continues in his leadership. The “Just Do It” attitude he saw in his parents has helped him grow Freestar and keep it on track as one of the fastest growing companies in America. (This epsiode was recorded in November 2020)
Self-sufficient at an early age, our guest, Tina Gravel found skills that have been incredibly useful throughout her life and career. Guiding herself in her early decisions Tina has become an award winning Woman of Tech! She has had a long and rewarding career, being authentic, honest, always doing the right thing by other people and not giving up. Now her life is designed to serve others - that’s what makes her happy; making sure that the world she leaves is a better place.
Picture your average college “hippie” for a moment. A man with long hair, an immense love for the environment and passion for travel. Now compare that image with a high-level CEO. Seems like an entirely different person, right?
While it may seem contradictory, our guest today has seamlessly melded these two personas throughout the journey of his truly fascinating life. From working for non-profits, travelling South America on a motorcycle, to becoming the CEO of a major coaching group, you can’t miss the incredible journey and wisdom of Edward Sullivan.
How is an incredibly talented tech leader created? Maybe they adopted technology early on? A strong focus on education? Working at a circus?... Okay, maybe not that last one, but our guest has done just that and much more.
Meet Karolyn Hart, current C/O of a tech platform that connects people and helps businesses grow at an astounding rate called InspireHub. Karolyn has done just about every job you can imagine, from tossing pizzas to working at a circus, but her main drive in any field is serving others. Hear her incredible story and learn how serving others has led Karolyn to her success
We all remember trying to fit in at school. The fear that comes with constantly worrying about how you look, speak, or even think can be detrimental to a child's development. But what if these differences were celebrated rather than controlled?
Our guest Amir Nathoo is a prime example of this. Having been encouraged to stay curious and determined from a young age, Amir has been able to embrace his differences and change the way parents and children approach learning. Today he is the CEO of Outschool, an online marketplace with over 100,000 classes that educates and engages children across the world!
Being a parent is hard, being a new parent of twins? Even harder. Now imagine taking on this intense challenge while taking a pay-cut to pursue your passions while also being a parent’s of two newborn twins… Now that’s intense, but that’s exactly what Jen Spencer has done.
Throughout her life Jen has left a unique impression on every challenge she takes on, being more than willing to step out of her comfort zone to be herself while overcoming countless obstacles along the way. Hear how she balances her busy life and has changed perceptions in the sales world all while finding joy and passion for the work she does.
Our teenage years can be tough as we are catapulted into uncharted territories, new people, responsibilities, and even new cities, states, or countries. This can be overwhelming at times, but how you choose to handle these experiences will build the foundation for who you are going to become.
Our guest today is nothing short of incredible. We get to see the world through the eyes of Shruti Kapoor, a woman who traveled to new countries and explored the world at the tender age of sixteen for her education. Today she is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wingman, an astounding company that transforms data into information that boosts sales!
Nearly everyone remembers their first time riding a bike. The joy, excitement, and freedom achieved in every push of the pedals is something truly indescribable. Our guest today experienced these same things when he began riding bikes, so much so that it became his lifelong passion.
Meet Aaron Kerson, CEO & Co-Founder of PNW Components. Aaron quickly found his niche in the bike community at a young age, and though he didn't know at the time, these first rides paved the path for the success he has today. Hear how staying dedicated to the passions and people you love can make your dreams a reality!
Some people say that the American dream is dead… But our guest today has redefined this dream by paving his own path through sheer passion and determination. Meet serial entrepreneur Milind Mehere, Founder & CEO of Yieldstreet.
Milind immigrated from India to the US with a background in mechanical engineering and has since learned how to build multiple thriving organizations. Not only has he built his own success, but Milind continually educates others along the line in hopes to level the financial playing field. Hear his inspiring journey now!
It’s no secret that the projects people love will teach them the most. The passion and drive that goes into something like this will not only bring lessons about that project but about life as well. Putting in the time to truly master your craft will result in a deep motivation that can be applied to all future endeavors.
Nobody defines this better than our guest today. Meet the astounding Sales Development Leader and karaoke champion, Meaghan Hurley. Despite her incredible ability and passion for song and dance, she has made a massive change from this path... and she couldn't be happier!
Who do you trust the most? Close friends? Family? Regardless of who it is, we all know why we trust these people: because they care. This inherently builds a culture of trust and comfort, so why should the workplace be any different?
Our incredible guest Brooke Bachesta has broken through the often male-dominated world of tech simply by caring for others and being true to herself. This honesty and dedication has changed her organization for the better by pushing for honesty and diversity. Hear Brooke’s encouraging story and learn how you too can create a successful and enjoyable workplace!
When trying to find success and mastery in any career, the hardest and most courageous step you can take is simply starting. Taking this first step takes, courage, dedication, and passion, and no matter how hard you try, there’s going to be some mistakes along the way
Meet Greg Larson, author, baseball fanatic and standup comedian. Despite his lengthy repertoire, there were certainly some struggles and tough decisions he had to make but his dedication for what he loves paved the path for the success he has today. Hear wisdom and inspiration from Greg Larson.
You remember your first job. Getting through high school waiting tables, flipping burgers… or working at a law firm? Now that may sound a little unconventional but this knack for overcoming challenges is just one of the attributes that makes our guest today so unique.
The passion and drive she displays so clearly has allowed her to pave her own path, even with the curve balls life can throw. It certainly was no easy task, but despite uncertainty and challenges along the way, Whitney Sales has built a thriving system for success.
When the values of a company do not align with your own, it's simply not worth it. This is a lesson our guest today knows all too well. Despite her innate nature to give each job she pursues every ounce of effort, when values do not align it will never be fulfilling.
Hear the incredible journey of Heidi Fortes, a woman who challenges the status quo of her industry with every move she makes. Both entrepreneur and sales coach, Heidi does it all and her success speaks for itself. Whether it's a mountain or a microphone (hey, we tried to fix it!) there's no challenge Heidi can't overcome!
There is a unique energy created when people make real and personal connections. This is displayed constantly in everyday life, whether that be in school, the work environment, or even a yoga studio. Understanding how these connections work an essential skill for any great leader.
Our guest today believes strongly in building these connections through the constant dedication she has for serving her community. Through her encouragement of diversity and passion for helping others, Katherine Mays wears her values on her sleeve with pride and confidence.
You remember the days… life was full of new experiences and the world was at your fingertips. You could be anything you wanted! From a cowboy to a firefighter, or even becoming an astronaut.
However, most people leave these “childish” passions behind… what if they could make you millions? That’s exactly what our guest today has done, using these passions and values to maintain his unstoppable drive for success, and this is just a small portion of what makes Frankie Russo so special. Hear the astounding story of what made him the powerhouse he is today!
In this episode, we get to hear it all from a woman who has done it all. From graduating early to adopting technology wholeheartedly in the ‘70s, getting an MBA, and even living a large part of her life in Europe, this is truly an individual who thrives off experiences, and that is exactly what Patti Pokorchak has done. She has jumped on countless opportunities that most in her field of expertise were far too afraid to do. she lives her life to its fullest and continues to share her knowledge with others, dedicating herself to what she believes in every day.
Andrew McConnell is a man of extraordinary character with a resume just as awe-inspiring as his life is. Born in Alabama, Andrew has moved around a lot, hustling side jobs wherever he could, and maintaining an astounding academic career in the process, even going from Harvard to Cambridge!
Yet this wasn’t enough for him, so he tapped into his entrepreneurial spirit by simply asking a few questions. Through this he found an untapped market: easing the pressure put on landlords, giving them access to modern technology and data, ultimately making renting easier for owners and renters alike.
How does one go from a printing business owner to one of the top tech saleswomen in the world? Lanette Richardson will tell you! After starting at the lowest ranks in tech sales due to misogynistic views, she quickly rose to the top, outselling everyone in the business by honest dedication and determination to helping clients receive the help they need. In addition, Lanette works tirelessly as the president and co-founder of Utah Women in Sales, building a community of people who strive to achieve equality and opportunities in sales positions around the world.
Meet Liz Coufal, a woman who breaks down social stigmas and misogyny while fighting for the rights and equality of all people. This Texas woman has relentlessly pursued her passion for social activism since the age of 15, building herself into an absolute fireball of a woman who has a successful career in tech startups, social activism, environmental justice, and even her own website dedicated to educating people about democracy and their individual rights… Talk about busy! Hear the lessons she has learned along the way as we explore what makes this fascinating woman tick.
How does a small-town boy become a rock n’ roll legend, successful author, and motivational speaker? Kenny Aronoff will tell you because that’s exactly what he did. Building his career from nothing but perseverance and an immensely strong work ethic, Kenny has performed with big names such as John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, and more. You name it, he’s probably played it. He attributes his success to his humility and inherent “workaholic” attitude, but this hasn’t stopped him from having some wild and fun times along the way.
Founder of Mugsy Jeans, Leo Tropeano, creates the most comfortable jeans in the world. After suffering years of discomfort and lack of style when shopping for menswear, Leo gave up everything to build Mugsy into the powerhouse it is today by teaching himself photography, graphic design, and working a multitude of odd jobs to make ends meet. His hard work combined with the help of his team who share a combined vision and passion has paid off; Mugsy has received glowing customer reviews. Leo has found fulfillment by providing men with the confidence and style they need to become the best they can be.
Allye O'Brien boasts a proven track record of success as a Sales leader for both top-of-the-funnel and quota-carrying contributors. Experienced with building out Sales organizations, including quotas, goals, monthly and quarterly targets, and five-year planning, she is now involved in work that is deeply aligned with her ideals. She serves as the Director of Revenue Operations at Chief, a professional coaching network that aims to advance gender equality in business by helping more women land and excel in executive roles.
Chief was founded to drive women forward into positions of power — and keep them there. Allye's work with Chief allows her to focus on finding creative solutions to help women connect, problem-solve, and achieve their goals, while staying focused on the overall goal of gender parity in the workplace.
Michelle Schifrin is a sales and account management professional with 10+ years of experience within fast-growing technology companies and enterprise SaaS organizations. Currently, she works for Carta, a company working to create more liquidity in the private market. Their mission is to create more owners, which resonates with Michelle, since she is passionate about democratizing wealth in a disruptive way.
A passionate manager, Michelle oversees a sales team that works primarily with early-stage founders and companies, and spends her time coaching sales reps, optimizing usage of Salesforce, and onboarding new clients with a hands-on customer-centric approach.
Park Howell, a 30+ year veteran of the advertising industry, is passionate about the power of stories in our lives and businesses. He spends his time offering Business of Story workshops that help businesses clarify their stories to amplify their impact, and consults, teaches, coaches and speaks internationally to help leaders and communicators rise above the noise of the Attention Economy and be heard using the power of brand and business storytelling.
His passion in life is helping purpose-driven leaders master their business storytelling to enable them to attract and retain top talent, connect with their ideal customers, and grow through a shared narrative that everyone can buy into and prosper from.
Reva Pellerin serves as a Business Development Manager at Vidyard, an exciting and very COVID-relevant company helping B2B organizations use video to tell their story and communicate in a more human way. Vidyard provides users the data to understand how video is impacting their business, and Reva's five years there have been focused on helping organizations leverage video as a way to tell their story and humanize interactions in an increasingly automated world.
Outside of work, Reva is focused on her husband and young daughter, and the dreams they share to one day move on to more land and perhaps even grow their own food. An extremely empathetic person whose work is aligned with her values, Reva has a lot of wisdom to share regarding how to find a path in life that both resonates with you, as well as serves your dreams.
Kelly Donahue-Piro's career has come a long way since dressing up as the mall Easter Bunny during high school. These days, she's doing the impossible: making insurance feel not only necessary, but fun.
Widely recognized in her industry as a real game-changer, she’s the Founder and President of Agency Performance Partners and Co-Founder of sister marketing company, Agency Appeal. An in-demand speaker at regional and national insurance conferences, a social media and digital marketing trailblazer, Kelly has words of wisdom others need to hear.
In her years of consulting, marketing, training, and public speaking, she’s worked with more than 1,000 insurance agencies, largely consisting of independent business owners of all sizes. Well known within the industry, Kelly regularly earns accolades like “insurance visionary,” “a total rock star” and “the real deal.”
Ryan Hogan built a multi-million dollar organization within its first year of business, while also serving in the U.S. Navy. As the co-founder and CEO of Hunt A Killer, Ryan is dedicated to finding ways to merge fictional storytelling with real-life experiences through event activations, responsive membership boxes, obstacle racing, film, and premium content platforms.
Ryan finds great freedom in entrepreneurship and attributes the growth of his business largely to the committed community that engages with his products. His goal is to bring the world closer together with immersive entertainment, and lucky for him, during a pandemic, there's nothing more appealing than an experience that allows you to forget about your present reality and connect with people in a new way.
There was a time, not too many years ago, when Keegan Chapman was the team enforcer on her soccer team. She was the best at “taking out” the other teams’ best player. Today, this competitive streak is put to use as the Vice President of Sales at Victory Lap, self described as the world’s leading Sales Education company. She works daily to provide aspiring professionals with world class education and career opportunities, as well as give companies access to the most prepared and in-demand sales talent pool on the market.
Before Victory Lap, over 7.5 years, she held 14 ever more important positions at Groupon. Her experience working there prepared her to create a work/life balance where she is both completely passionate about her work while also making sure to maintain boundaries for a robust life.
As someone who grew up as a part of a family business, Courtany McNamara learned how to speak to clients like she would speak to her dad: listening to them deeply while trying to understand their unique situation and pain points.
Today, Courtany is a Sales Manager at Insightly, a company that provides customer relationship management software for businesses of all sizes across a range of industries. She’s tasked with managing a team focused on growing relationships with existing customers, and her goal is to inspire her team to be creative problem-solvers, while also advocating for cultural initiatives to better their sales organization and drive success.
If you've ever wondered what exactly makes a marketing technique effective, well then, Will Leach has your answers, and we're willing to bet those answers will surprise you. That's because Leach is an expert in all the ways that non-conscious factors affect your decision-making processes.
As the founder of the Mindstate Group, Leach works to provide behavioral science-based tools and resources to help businesses build consistently effective marketing that drives people to listen, care and act. With over 25 years of behavioral insights experience, and a book title to his name, Will Leach is passionate about understanding how we make decisions. And how to even the playing field so that all businesses, not just the big guys, can use this information to their advantage.
Kasey Jones has a long term career aspiration: she wants to be a modern-day, female, tattooed, cursing version of Mr. Rogers, but specifically for entrepreneurs. She has defined her career leveraging creative and innovative methods to help business owners build long-lasting relationships with the people that matter most to their business - buyers, partners, and community.
Kasey founded her company, A Better Jones, with the mission to help founders build successful, high-growth businesses. Over the years, she's learned that her specialty is in helping polymath founders create authentic personal brands that make a difference and grow their revenue. And she does all of this with so much charisma, empathy, and good sense, that she'll knock your socks off.
Jess Roman is a woman of the world. Currently the national director for Meltwater in Canada, she’s enjoyed an extremely unique upbringing: born to Romanian parents in Paris, she spent most of her formative years attending an international school in Togo, West Africa.
Her skills include a profound ability to change, which she learned at a young age, has been evident in her uncommon success in the world of sales. One of her greatest achievements to date is establishing Meltwater's Montreal office at the age of twenty-four, where she took the company from zero to four hundred customers in about two years.
Tamara McMillen has spent many prosperous years in the world of sales, holding positions such as Executive Director of Sales at Virgin Media and a variety of senior sales positions at Verizon Digital Media Solutions and Hitachi Business Systems.
Today, California native, now living and working in London, Tamara McMillen is focused on improving the industry and is currently encouraging all businesses to adopt a wider vision when it comes to wellbeing in the corporate agenda. Her willingness to overcome obstacles and help become more authentic versions of themselves at work is apparent in all that she does.
When she began her career, Suzanne Ratti was told repeatedly that there was no place for a woman in sales. Luckily for her, she persevered despite what everyone told her, and today she runs her own company, Ideas360, a sales-driven marketing company that helps small-to-mid-sized businesses create strategies, content, and accelerate growth. Suzanne's passion for solving, instead of selling, has allowed her to succeed as a consultant for a huge variety of companies, including Fortune 500 companies like Xerox and SmartCEO.
Leticia Henry never thought she'd be working with the gun, knife, and tactical armor companies, but that's where her life in sales began: selling ads to gun magazines. Today, she serves as a sales consultant at HubSpot, where she works in two languages (English and Spanish) to orchestrate the entire sales cycle from prospecting to customer acquisition, retention, and growth.
Leticia's willingness to be direct while also being kind shows through in all that she does and her belief in the power of sales to help solve problems is a sure sign that her career will only catapult from here.
Naren Arulrajah, the founder and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, a digital marketing firm, has established his company based on the concept of "ekwa," which means being at one with the moment. Naren is a consultant, speaker, author, and above all an inspirational innovator. He became an entrepreneur after being fired so many times that he realized what he truly needed to do was go out on his own and be his own boss. He's committing to doing what it takes to help his customers become successful, and he also knows that the key to a good life is to work unselfishly to help others, as opposed to staying focused only on personal gain.
Liston Witherill, the creator of the "Serve—Don't Sell" method, is fascinated by why people make the decisions they do, and how to change their decision-making processes. After a short stint as a hip hop artist and a master’s degree in environmental science and management, he now lives and breathes the world of sales.
Since 2018, he's been focusing his energy 100% on marketing and selling professional services. He spends a lot of time writing, creating podcasts, and creating all sorts of content for his clients to enable them to make changes and improvements to their businesses rapidly. He loves getting to work with really smart people to help their businesses grow and according to him, he's on a mission to make 100,000,000 world-class, ethical communicators.
Warren Barry's work strives to connect the dots between cognitive stress and team success. Warren works with organizations, human resource management, and managerial teams to reveal the internal potential of the human capital they already possess along with the risks and costs of cognitive stress.
He's an award-winning pioneer in the field of human resources who studies the implications of counterintuitive work environments on individuals and organizations. This is a guy who lives in the world of curiosity, and is constantly seeking to better understand the way people work, their pain points, and how to create environments where people and companies thrive.
Tony Wilkins is famous for the way he provides perspectives, stories, insights, and analogies to business leaders that conjure up the response, "Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that." He's renowned for his penchant for asking provocative questions that lead to creative epiphanies. Nationally active in the early stage innovation ecosystem, Tony mentors, connects and invests in Seed and Series A rounds of startup companies. His ability to guide people through unfamiliar territory has resulted in his increasing renown as a business mentor, where he strives to connect folks to people, resources and stories that will transform how they think about their own businesses. If you thought serendipity couldn't be engineered, that's only because you haven't yet had a business conversation with Tony Wilkins.
Dave Knox is the kind of guy who has been ahead of the curve since he began his professional career right out of college, when he began his journey in brand management at Proctor & Gamble.
He is widely recognized as an innovator who bridges the worlds between brand marketing, digital, and entrepreneurship, and is the person to learn from if you want to understand how to take risks and build a career for yourself that aligns with your hobbies and interests.
He’s an author of “Predicting the Turn: the High-Stakes Game Of Business Between Startups And Blue Chips,” a book that bridges the worlds of the Fortune 500 and entrepreneurship in insightful and innovative ways.
Dave has so much valuable insight to share on his strong belief in the power of a network and how to keep your childlike sense of curiosity, even in a world that pressures us to specialize. So press play, sit back, and enjoy the chance to hear about Dave’s journey. He’s got a lot to teach us.
Gair Maxwell knows that success doesn't come to those who wait--success comes to those who do the work, who hit their bucket of balls every single day, who never stop striving. His lifelong fascination with how things become "legendary" has translated to his work today dissecting how the world's top brands become simply irresistible through the power of story. He travels the world speaking on a range of subjects, all of which are connected to the idea that you don’t need to be a huge company with a massive marketing budget to deliver a huge impact on your brand.
He's not only committed to better understanding how to create long-term sustainable brands in a short-term world--he's also a lifetime Steelers fan and history nerd whose passion for understanding the past informs every move he makes today.
There are some people who live and breathe sales, and Becc Holland is one of those folks. For her, figuring out how to help people make sales in a genuine way, while still integrating the best automation that our current tech has to offer, is her passion, her profession, and her absolute forte.
Born and raised in Texas, Becc is now based in San Francisco, where she works for Chorus.ai, a conversation intelligence platform that is committed to changing the way we think about sales.
In college, she thought she might want to go into law, but changed directions and instead began her sales career right out of college. She has fast become a respected and innovative thought leader with her YouTube series, "Flip the Script," where she provides amazingly helpful and FREE videos to anyone seeking to uplevel their sales game with time-tested strategies that can help make the cold calling process more strategic and effective.
Gino Wickman is an entrepreneur's best friend. In fact, it’s all he thinks about. His six books on the topic have sold over a million copies, his lectures, speeches and teachings have been enjoyed by massive numbers of people and over one hundred thousand companies currently use his platform for their operating model.
His life’s work is really quite simple: help the 4% of the population with the right six traits to become the best entrepreneurs possible. This singular focus is how Gino makes a dent in the universe, and he’s really okay being, in his words, “inept about any other topic on the planet.”
Everyone working on or in business today will benefit from the sometimes unconventional wisdom of Gino; one of today’s most respected and sought-after business gurus.
You’ll hear his highly compelling argument to slow down, rather than speed up. In our hyper-paced world, Gino believes in ten-year thinking. This courageous counsel is based on the idea that you can create a lot in ten years, but very little in one. Reducing your speed can provide better decisions, more patience and ironically, better and faster-desired outcomes.
And while acknowledging it may sound cliche, Gino also encourages all of us to do what you love because the money will follow. He’s made and lost a few fortunes, so his words aren’t hollow thoughts, rather sage counsel born from experience.
Settle in, make some popcorn, turn up the volume and prepare to take notes, this is a good one folks!
Master marketer and self-described Texas boy, Steve Brown discusses the idea that marketing today is best served by those who can combine the latest technologies with the most human-centered approach. It’s bigger than algorithms, apps, ad words and analysis. Instead, it’s about knowing that people matter most and recognizing how to connect with them.
Throughout this easy-going conversation, many nuggets of wisdom emerge, including a realization that Brian and Steve are “net neutral”. Unfortunately, they aren’t saving the planet, no massive environmental shifts here. Instead, they are talking about their hair as Brian “offsets” Steve carbon footprint…so to speak.
The conversation quickly shifts back to business and a time when Steve’s firm ROI Online didn’t have a clearly articulated strategic vision. And it’s a mistake Steve won’t ever make again. He explains how once built and communicated, his vision truly helped his team and firm move forward. Without one, not only do bad things happen, but associates don’t really know where to go or even what to do. Quite simply, you need to know where you’re headed, otherwise, you’re simply running in circles.
With a stated goal to become a master of curiosity, Oakland, CA-based executive coach David Gerber helps people traverse one of the most difficult journeys on the planet: their own life. This deeply personal, highly emotional and wildly interesting conversation provides insights everyone can benefit from.
David explains how personal growth begins by utilizing one of the most untapped resources of our minds: curiosity. He uses this in his own life to ask better questions, while searching to understand people, without judgment, with hopes of honoring and respecting them.
A man of much achievement, David believes if you aren’t stretched to your limits, you probably don’t know where your limits are. And he should know! Whether it’s completing an Iron Man triathlon or purposefully plunging into neck-deep ice water for 10 minutes, David Gerber is a man intent on making a dent in the universe.
Of course, he’s quick to tell you that the secret to making that dent is to first and foremost ‘be a person unto yourself’. As David states convincingly, you are worthy of your love, first.
Yes, this episode features some deep thinking, but it’s also chock full of fun. Listen as the question “where did you go to school” turns into a circuitous journey inclusive of meteorology, biblical studies, throwing grapefruits and a fighter pilot call sign that’s not Goose.
David Gerber proffers all of us the wonder and awe of finding out what we’re fully capable of. It’s about flipping the paradox in our comfort zones to find the most energizing, fulfilling, life-loving possibilities. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about?
You’re entitled to your opinion, but Doug Sandler believes being nice in business and life is the only way to be. And this isn’t just a passing whim for him. Using positivity as his internal compass, and a series of career journeys that seem right out of a Hollywood script, Doug has crafted a framework for success.
His best-selling book “Nice Guys Finish First”, paved the way to his wildly successful podcast, the “Nice Guys in Business” podcast. His combination of practical wisdom and effortless storytelling has added up to over 3 million downloads and a line-up of guests including Ariana Huffington, Gary Vaynerchuk and many more.
Doug posits a notion that’s so simple and brave, you wonder why anyone strays from it. He says “stay in your zone of genius”. This, he believes, is where your personal financial success comes easy. It doesn’t have to be a grind! Listen in as Doug provides real-world examples of how getting incredibly specific in your niche will create a lucrative market for your services.
Working from the cozy environs of his Southern California home studio, Doug Sandler says you’ll be successful if you can consistently do five things:
- Return your phone calls
- Return your emails
- Be on time for every appointment
- Stop overpromising and under-delivering
- Actually reach out and communicate to people in your life
Doug's honest and nice approach leads to better engagement and overall happiness. Get ready to learn from the rare nice guys who are not finishing last!
From a very early age, Robert Blackwell Jr. has always seen the world in numbers. Think of the Fibonacci Sequence, he’s able to see patterns and create actionable data. At the core, Robert is an entrepreneur. Always evaluating opportunities to make money, Robert combines his unique skill set to stand out from the rest.
As an eight-year-old, he collected empty soda bottles for change. As a twelve-year-old, he washed dishes at a restaurant. And for Robert, school wasn’t about academics. For him, school was great for one thing; the large customer base for his bustling chewing gum business.
He has written code for stock trading algorithms. He’s sold exotic foreign cars. And because it makes no obvious sense whatsoever, this martial arts trained technical wiz got into real estate and developed neighborhoods. Of course that all led to his world-class ping-pong business and friendship with corporate counsel, an unknown Chicago attorney named Barack Obama.
You read all that correctly. And yes, this is a non-fiction story.
Robert believes that in business you need to create a strategy that makes you unique. Why? Because if you’re not unique you’re just a commodity. In this episode of Square Stories, we’ll learn the science of how time equals money, how being a millionaire in Zimbabwe isn’t such a big deal and how formulas can exist for almost anything.
Elyse Guidas is a deep thinker and always has been. She’s moved and grooved, in and out of her hometown of Phoenix, all while being focused on the well being of others. As the CEO of Farm Express, a fleet of former city buses transformed into mobile produce markets built to serve communities in food deserts, she’s focused on creating an even playing field for all.
Armed with a truly unique revenue model, an inherent passion for the work and a seemingly endless supply of energy, Elyse is the perfect person for the job.
She believes in the equity of choice, equity of resources and equity of humanity. Working with corporate supporters, amazing customers, and an incredible team, Elyse works to help people make better choices to ensure better health outcomes.
In this fast-paced, fact-filled episode, listen as Elyse makes a compelling case that all people, regardless of affluence, deserve the opportunity to make healthy choices.
Lauren Bailey has always been comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Where others would wither away or tremble in fear, Lauren thrives. From picking and paying for college to building restaurant concepts, her creative problem solving has led to massive success. She’s a powerhouse; equipped with boundless energy, a deep wanderlust to experience the world and brains equal to her brass fortitude, Lauren makes things happen.
Armed with a strong belief that this is the best time to be a woman in business, Lauren is an artist, an entrepreneur, a visionary, a risk-taker and a generous leader within her community.
She explains why it’s okay to ask for help in life and business and implores all of us to get super comfortable with engaging a mental health professional on the regular.
In this episode of SquareStories, Brian Burkhart and Lauren Bailey engage in a fast-paced, albeit a touch meandering, discussion chock-full of lessons for life, love, and business. And likely for the first and last time on SquareStories, be sure to listen to the phrase “a tinge of the ginge”.
Haley Rushing believes that discovering your life’s purpose is perhaps the most important thing you’ll ever do. But she also understands that’s not an easy task — for both individuals and organizations… That’s where her purpose comes in.
Join us as Brian talks with Haley about how traveling as a child shaped her worldview, how not having a plan can be the best path, why having a purpose should drive brand creation, and how important it is to refuel yourself, especially when your work is purpose-driven, and how doing what you love isn’t cliché; it’s vital.
Sentari Minor believes in the power of doing good. No, not doing “well” — doing good, as in changing the world. He also believes in the power of relationships. Sentari leverages those two beliefs to lead his mission as a social-impact advocate and passionate relationship builder.
Join Brian Burkhart as he talks to Sentari about his Phoenix roots, life at a small liberal arts college, Arby’s Jamocha shakes and his perfect gig. Oh, and they get in a little fight about the movie Armageddon.
Brad Farris believes business founders are control freaks who need to learn to let go. His purpose is to help the founders and owners of various firms do just that — let go so their businesses can grow and their people can thrive.
As the founder and principal advisor of Anchor Advisors, Brad has served as a small business advisor to more than 100 companies. He and the team at Anchor believe in the power of the four P’s — purpose, people, process and performance measures. They believe that if business owners get those four things right, their businesses will undoubtedly grow.
Pearl Chang Esau believes that access to an excellent education is transformational for individuals, families and communities. Deeply committed to improving life prospects for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or disability, she champions educators, students and disadvantaged populations so that they can reach their full potential.
Pearl is a BIG DEAL. She’s received tons of community recognition, including the ATHENA Young Professional Award by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; she was named one of Arizona's 50 Most Influential Women by Arizona Business Magazine; and one of the 25 Most Admired CEOs by Phoenix Business Journal.
She’s also a special needs mom of three, an autism advocate, and is working hard to bring enlightened leadership to the Valley.
Tune in as Brian and Pearl talk Pearl Chang Esau talks about her immigrant family’s history, why education is so important to her, and why diversity, and getting involved, matters.
Tom LaMantia believes in making things happen. He’s the managing director and co-founder of Magenium Solutions, where he helps clients implement technology in order to grow their businesses, be more productive and stay competitive. With over 30 years of experience in global, high-tech digital transformation, Tom truly is a strategic thinker and innovator. And he’s one hell of a leader. Before starting Magenium, he was the co-founder and CEO of Intrinsic Technologies, a Chicago-based Microsoft National Systems Integrator. With Tom at the helm, the company grew to be one of the nation’s premier Microsoft service providers. Oh, and get this — he holds several patents, trademarks and copyrights; he’s on the National Board of Advisors for the Eller College of Management at his alma mater, the University of Arizona; he’s a member of the Economic Club of Chicago; and he’s a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Tune in as Tom discusses his “mischievous” childhood, why it’s so important to “play chess, not checkers” and the four Ps everyone should live by.
Robin Reed believes in learning from the past to change the future. And instead of dwelling on the inevitable challenges one faces in business, Robin believes those obstacles are invaluable opportunities to grow, gain insight and refine problem-solving skills.
He’s the President and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, a nonprofit founded in 1998 that exists to improve the economic development of its business entrepreneurs and the communities it serves. Robin and the Chamber offer leadership and advocacy surrounding economic, political and social issues, as well as help to attract local, national and international opportunities for black-owned enterprises.
Before landing his gig at the helm of the Black Chamber, Robin served as the President and Senior Strategy Officer for Occam Sustainability Partners, as well as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch and later Waddell & Reed.
Tune in as Robin chats about befriending the neighborhood bully, his advice for entrepreneurs and the definition of “success.”
Pamela Slim believes that people have the power to shape the world through their work. So much so, that she traded in her job as a corporate training manager for a solo career in the late ‘90s … and she’s been changing the world ever since.
With her newfound sense of purpose and excitement out on her own, her life came alive. She had to share that feeling with the world.
In 2009, she wrote a book called, “Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur.” It helped spearhead the movement of people leaving corporate jobs to start their own enterprises, and was named the Best Small Business & Entrepreneur Book of 2009.
Now an award-winning author, speaker and small-business strategist, Pam founded The K’é Main Street Learning Lab in 2016. Based in Mesa, Arizona, it serves as a community think tank for small business economic acceleration.
Look, life really is too long to work for an organization that doesn’t believe what you believe. That’s why people like Pam are so incredible, whose core purpose is to inspire others to break free from that very situation — to find the life where they feel strongest. Tune in as Pam discusses compassion, empathy, perspective and her core belief that we all need each other.
Luis Avila is a man who believes deeply in the power of collaboration to create platforms, spaces and opportunities for empowerment — he’s got a passion for working with people to get big things done. And he’s got quite the résumé. After migrating from Mexico almost two decades ago, Luis stayed in the United States to attend college, where he developed projects with people involved in the arts, politics and social justice. This makes perfect sense as he’s an author, a traveler, an entrepreneur, an actor…and even the Spanish voice of the infamous McRib sandwich. He’s the Founding President of Iconico, a consulting firm that helps build advocacy capacity in communities. He’s a Google NextGen fellow, a member of countless advocacy boards and has worked diligently on a number of campaigns, both national and regional, right here in Arizona. Tune is as host Brian Burkhart chats with Luis about “modest success,” perseverance and the willingness to try new things, and fighting for those who need it the most.
Mark Rickmeier believes in the power of failure. He’s the CEO of Table XI, a UX research, design, and software development company based in Chicago. Table XI has helped massive clients such as Tyson Foods, AccuWeather, Northwestern University, Jimmy Dean, the YMCA, the Journal of the American Medical Association and so many more. Mark has only been at the helm of Table XI since October 2016, but he’s called the tech world home for nearly two decades. Over the last 18 years, he’s created more than 100 mobile apps, custom-built web applications and intuitive user experiences. In 2014, he founded the Operations Conference to bring together a global community of software companies, and in 2017, he co-founded the “Walkshop,” a multi-day hiking and design-thinking experience for leaders, executives and entrepreneurs to get offline and build new connections across the industry. Tune in as Mark discusses his trips around the globe, learning through playing games and why “busy is the new stupid” is his new life motto.
Ivette Rodriguez is the co-founder and Executive Director of Phoenix International Academy, a charter school in Phoenix. Talk about standing for something — Ivette and the other founding members built the school on a foundation of strong, well-codified core beliefs. For example, they believe in partnering with families and communities to provide learning experiences that develop innovation, collaboration and social responsibility. They believe awareness is one of the foundational pieces of being a global citizen. And they believe in the importance of understanding the lives, circumstances and reality of people and places that are different from ourselves. Previously in her career, Ivette served as the principal of Cesar Chavez Community School and later as the Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services in the Roosevelt School District. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and two master’s degrees from ASU. Tune in as Ivette discusses the school’s core beliefs, its vision to give EVERY kid the ability to build the future they want and the importance of living boldly.
Jenny Poon is a highly diverse entrepreneur and the founder/CEO of CO+HOOTS, the largest coworking community in the state of Arizona. CO+HOOTS was ranked the No. 4 coworking space in the nation by Inc.com, and it currently serves as the home to more than 280 entrepreneurs and small businesses. Because of her tremendous success and the rapid growth of CO+HOOTS since it opened in 2010, Jenny was named Phoenix Business Journal’s 2016 Phoenix Businessperson of the Year, making her the first minority AND the first woman to receive the honor. She’s a regular speaker, giving presentations on topics including leadership as a millenial and the importance of nurturing innovation in the workspace, all while bringing visibility to coworking as an economic development tool for building vibrant and equitable cities. Oh, and she’s also the creator of “eeko studio,” a design and branding boutique committed to working with business, large or small, who are hell bent on having a positive impact on their community. Join us as Jenny discusses women and minorities in business, the immeasurable impact her parents had on her life and her vision for the future.
Candice Frazer is the Senior Vice President of Operations at TTI Success Insights, a local Scottsdale firm that provides assessment-based talent management solutions to organizations on a global scale. As the SVP of Operations, Candice acts as the central hub of communications for all projects, initiatives and results for the organization. Her self-described superpower is “organizing the chaos and embracing visions not often seen by others.” In other words, Candice is in charge of ensuring TTI SI’s success, which is no small task…but let me tell you, she’s got the chops for the job. She’s previously worked for SOCIALDEVIANT, CareerAgility, Verizon, Redbox Instant by Verizon and more. She hails from New York, so she knows all about grit and work ethic. She’s got an MBA in marketing from Boston University, she reads business books for fun, she’s a self-proclaimed lover of tea and she’s a mother. Come along for the ride as Candice dishes about when she fell in love with storytelling, why she expresses gratitude every morning and how “your vibe attracts your tribe.”
Robert Armstrong is a co-founder and the CEO of Appstem, a leading digital product agency based in San Francisco. Appstem is all about creating informed, human-centered innovations that transform complex business problems into elegant digital solutions. But Appstem hasn’t always been at the top of the digital food chain, so to speak — Robert and the team come from humble beginnings. Appstem’s first big client came when Robert cold-called the CEO of Gold’s Gym in 2010…and since then, the firm has landed some impressive clients, such as Tesla, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, JetSuiteX, DUFL, Kaiser Permanente, Johnson & Johnson and more. Appstem’s success thus far can be attributed to Robert’s core belief that you should only ever build a company that you enjoy. And while he loves growth more than just about anyone else on the planet, he will never sacrifice growth for building a company that he hates — or that anyone hates for that matter. Join us as Robert talks about the perks of heading a boutique firm, the benefits of Appstem’s “mellow” culture and why constantly spending on marketing may not be the best plan of action.
Todd Unger is the Chief Experience Officer and Senior Vice President of Physician Engagement at the American Medical Association. He’s known as a transformational leader for the digital age, with the classic profile of a “productive disruptor” — and man, he has the résumé to back it up. Before his time at AMA, Todd was the CMO and Chief Digital Officer at Daily Racing Form, a 125-year-old news outlet centered around horse racing. He’s also served as the VP of Marketing at YooStar Entertainment Group; the GM of Digital and Executive Vice President at Major League Gaming; the Senior Vice President of Digital for the Time4 Media Division at Time, Inc.; the GM of Online and Senior Vice President of Brand Extensions at Lifetime Television; the VP and GM of Local and the Director of Product Management at AOL — yes, AOL as in “you’ve got mail”; the VP Account Supervisor at the Leo Burnett Company; and finally, an Assistant Brand Manager and Brand Assistant at Procter and Gamble. Oh, and have you ever heard of Yelp? Well Todd created the “AOL Local Expert” reviewing platform during his time at AOL, which was a precursor to Yelp before Yelp ever existed. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School, he’s led new business initiatives for Scope Mouthwash and Metamucil, he’s overseen commercial productions for some of the nation’s biggest brands like Sony, and he’s worked with blue-chip advertisers like Old Spice, HBO and Dr. Pepper. But don’t think all of his accomplishments throughout his illustrious career have gone to his head — Todd firmly believes that it’s always, always about the customer. Join us as our host Brian Burkhart learns about the Unger family’s “performance gene,” P&G/HBR’s incredible impact on Todd’s life and why powerful storytelling is so important in the Digital Age.
Reid Lappin is the founder and CEO of Vokal, one of Chicago’s leading digital design and innovation firms. Thanks to Reid, his company's client roster will certainly get your attention — Vokal has worked with Whole Foods, Bosch, Groupon and the San Francisco 49ers, to name a few. So yes, Reid is a technological prodigy, a genius by any measure — but interestingly enough, he wasn’t always on the front lines of technology and innovation. Before founding his first tech company, Reid was an organic farmer. So come along for the ride as our host Brian Burkhart chats with Reid about organic farming, using technology to better people’s lives and why knowledge and security must be at the forefront of technological advances in the future.
A respected senior executive in the world of food retailing, Michael Sansolo is now a consultant, speaker and author. In his first book, “The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies,” Michael takes all kinds of cool leadership, marketing and workplace dynamic lessons learned from awesome movies like “The Godfather,” for example. His second book, “Business Rules! 52 ways to achieve business success,” came out in 2014. Michael writes a weekly column on current business trends for themorningnewsbeat.com, a daily blog with more than 30,000 readers. He’s also a speaker and moderator at conferences and company meetings around the world. Oh, and he’s the research director at the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council. So tune in as our host Brian Burkhart and Michael discuss best practices for live speaking, why experiences are so important in food retail and the lessons we can learn from McDonald’s.
Joe Tortorich is perhaps the most passionate person you’ll ever meet — and his passion for everything he does is undeniably contagious. As the Vice President of Operations and Sales at Torch Trailer Repair — his family’s business — Joe jumps into every day on the job headfirst. And while he’s proud of his work and his family’s success in the business world, his actual family members mean most to him. So come along for the ride as our host Brian Burkhart gets the inside scoop about empathy and compassion, raising four children with his beloved parenting co-CEO, the value of working hard and building a family legacy.
Kathy Kolbe is a fascinating individual in a class all by herself. She’s an iconoclast who’s always been ahead of her time as a female leader. In fact, she was even recognized in Time magazine’s 1985 "Man of the Year" issue for her groundbreaking accomplishments. Kathy is the founder of Kolbe Corp and is arguably best known for creating the Kolbe A™ Index, which is widely considered "the only valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring an individual’s method of operation within the conative faculty of the brain." But she’s so much more than just that — she’s also a theorist, bestselling author, entrepreneur, educator, organizational strategist, consultant, speaker and the founder of Dynamynd Inc., her latest business venture. Come along as our host Brian Burkhart gets the scoop on Kathy’s very own Kolbe Index score, the "family business" and why the current generation of America’s youth sparks so much hope.
Alan McLaren is an incredible leader. He self-describes as “always happy, but never content.” He’s really a man on the move — for more than 30 years, this accomplished executive has been an integral part of everything from Fortune 50 public firms to small startups to volunteer positions on international boards. He currently serves as the CEO of InfinityComm, a marketing/communications company, and he’s the co-founder of SaluberMD, a digital telehealth platform. Come along for the ride as our host Brian Burkhart gets the inside scoop on the Young Presidents’ Organization, the impact sports have on our lives and not being afraid to work with only the right clients.
Our guest on Episode No. 5 is a man whose background is almost as diverse as his view of the world. A former Captain of the United States Air Force, Chris Moreland is a guy with corporate experience that includes selling fossil fuels, soft drinks, financial services, travel, software and now healthcare. He currently holds the position of Chief Inclusion and Diversity Advocate at Vizient, one of the nation’s premier healthcare companies. He’s a man on an absolute mission to change people’s lives by giving them a broader perspective about other human beings, and he won’t let anything stop him from doing just that. Tune in as our host Brian Burkhart gets the full scoop about the childhood struggles Chris endured as a young African-American, the importance of finding your life’s purpose early on and his mission to change the way human beings see one another.
Our guest on Episode No. 4 is Catherine Jelinek, founder and partner of The Junto Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Junto is a leadership and revenue accelerator for growth-stage companies with 10-100 employees and/or $1 to $10 million in annual revenues. Catherine believes deeply that it’s nonnegotiable to lead with humanity in business, she embraces the power of periods, aligns with Mother Nature and preaches that everyone should be alive at every moment. Join our host Brian Burkhart as he gets the dish on what makes Catherine such a gift to the world.
Our guest on episode No. 3 is Dan Klein, co-founder and CEO of Tiesta Tea. He and his fellow co-founder started the company with the mission of creating functional, loose-leaf tea blends that are affordable, accessible and understandable. Tiesta Tea has been recognized by the biggest news outlets including Inc., Forbes, ABC and FOX, and is available in tons of places like Target, Costco, Safeway and on Amazon. Perhaps the most impressive part is that Dan is just getting started — he’s only 30 years old. Join our host Brian Burkhart as he chats with Dan about tea, total transparency, teaming up with Chicago’s beloved Chance The Rapper and helping those who need it most.
Our guest on episode No. 2 is Kelly Manthey, CEO of Solstice. Solstice is one of Chicago’s largest and fastest-growing software-services companies. She leads a world-class team of digital strategists, designers and engineers in Chicago, New York, London and Buenos Aires. Kelly, along with Solstice as a whole, is hellbent on changing the world through reimagining the digital customer experience and launching new digital products from many of the world’s largest brands. Join us as our host Brian Burkhart chats with Kelly about the Digital Age, building a culture of help and support, and why it’s so important for leaders to learn how to be empathetic.
Our guest on the inaugural episode of Square Stories is Mike Maddock, founder of internationally-recognized innovation consultancy Maddock Douglas. Mike believes in lifelong curiosity, shared responsibility and leaning into creative solutions. His services have been sought out by more than 25 percent of the Fortune 100. Mike’s purpose in life is to inspire and empower curiosity. He’s driven by his passion for making people believe they can change the world, and gives them the connections, tools, frameworks and wisdom to help them do just that. Come along as our host Brian Burkhart puts Mike through the four-sided, stories-based interview sequence that is Square Stories.