Mentors Today: Recent Episodes

Mentors Today

In 2020, we launched a bi-lingual/bi-national podcast from Los Angeles and Latin America, to tell the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas. Mentorship via real stories and experiences. A Millennial Mexicana and Gen X American, come together to educate, inspire and entertain. Co-hosts Ileana Jaime Felix and Rob Ryan, bring together their entrepreneurial experience and global relationships to amplify the voices of the often less famous, under-supported builders, creators and investors of the Americas. Plug in and enjoy! We are here to help you.

Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! In this week’s episode, Rob Ryan takes you on a deep, unfiltered journey through the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of life, business, and everything in between. From electric vehicles and entrepreneurial lessons to emotional sports moments and the power of family, this episode is a rich tapestry of real talk, personal growth, and current events.

Rob reflects on the week’s most impactful stories—not just what's happening in the world, but how it all connects to everyday life. You’ll hear candid takes on politics and civic engagement, hard truths about the challenges in the EV industry, and heartfelt moments about the importance of community, storytelling, and staying grounded.

Whether you're here for the sports breakdowns, life advice, or raw entrepreneurial insights, this episode has something for everyone. So sit back, lock in, and enjoy a powerful blend of thought-provoking commentary, personal reflection, and a few laughs along the way.

While everyone is focusing on EV cars, who is looking out after the charger network to power all those cars? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down here in Los Angeles, with Kameale Terry, the humble and innovative CEO of ChargerHelp, to explore the surprising gaps in clean energy infrastructure — and her teams’ bold ideas to build the diverse workforce needed to fix them. From her unexpected path out of retail banking to becoming a clean energy leader, Kameale shares what it takes to build a business, a movement, and a future-ready workforce in the clean energy space. Whether you're pursuing a career in clean energy, or are starting or investing in the green tech companies, or are an EV owner, wondering how we’ll keep your cars running across the nation, this episode brings fresh insight and practical takeaways.

Feel free to follow and engage with KAMEALE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamealecterry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kameale.christinia/
Website: https://www.chargerhelp.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

03:39 Meet Kameale Terry: A Leader in Clean Energy

09:46 The Future of EV Charging Infrastructure

12:49 The State of EV Adoption and Infrastructure

17:49 Global Perspectives on Clean Energy Innovations

23:42 Workforce Development in Clean Energy

29:47 ChargerHelp: Revolutionizing EV Charging Services

35:48 The Future of Clean Tech and Smart Cities

39:44 Navigating Political Challenges in Clean Energy

44:43 Personal Reflections and Insights from Kameale

49:36 Actionable Steps for Entering the Clean Tech Industry

This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob we're diving deep into a concept we all know but often avoid: Tension.

But what if tension isn't just stress, discomfort, or friction? What if it's also fuel — for innovation, creative thinking, and breakthrough growth?

In this episode, Uncle Rob reflects on the everyday tensions we face as individuals, professionals, and citizens — from political polarization and economic pressure, to personal challenges in entrepreneurship and leadership. He shares inspiration from his time in Chile and the powerful ideas of Jugaad Innovation — where resourcefulness and resilience drive innovation from the ground up, not top-down.

📖 Check out the book “Jugaad Innovation: Think Frugal, Be Flexible, Generate Breakthrough Growth” by Navi Radjou: https://www.amazon.com/Jugaad-Innovation-Flexible-Generate-Breakthrough/dp/1118249747

We also explore how tension shows up in the lives of those breaking barriers and navigating new spaces — like this week’s guest, Marisa “Ritzy P” Estrada Rivera, who joins the conversation to talk about the tensions of identity, motherhood, advocacy, and showing up boldly in rooms that weren’t always built for her.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that tension is not the enemy — it’s an invitation. To think differently. To push boundaries. To stretch ourselves — and like a rubber band pulled beyond its limits — come out bigger, stronger, and more capable than before.

So if you're navigating your own crossroads, balancing dreams with pressure, or simply looking for a thoughtful pause in your week — this one's for you.

Tune in, reflect, and let's reframe tension as a powerful tool for progress.

Peace, love, and fresh perspective —

Uncle Rob

Jugaad Innovation: Think Frugal, Be Flexible, Generate Breakthrough Growth

What happens when culture, community, emerging technology and storytelling collide? Vocal Leaders like Marisa happen, that’s what! In this vibrant conversation, Rob sits down with creative powerhouse Marisa "Ritzy P" Estrada Rivera to explore the power of diverse voices in media and the rise of podcasting within Latino communities. They chronicle her vast career, from the evolution of music festivals, the impact of AI and blockchain, Corporate Consulting, Public speaking and why representation and community are more crucial than ever. Whether you're a creator, a tech-curious listener, or someone passionate about making change—this episode is packed with inspiration and real talk.

Feel free to follow and engage with MARISA “RITZY” here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritzyp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritzyp/
X: https://x.com/ritzy_p
Website: https://www.ritzyperiwinkle.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Marisa "Ritzy" Estrada Rivera and Her Journey

06:06 Storytelling in Media and Entrepreneurship

08:49 The Need for Diverse Voices in Media

11:47 The Evolution of Music Festivals

15:05 The Future of Live Events and Technology

27:42 The Journey into Podcasting

30:21 Creating Meaningful Conversations

35:31 The Evolving Landscape of Podcasting

43:30 Diving into Web3 and Crypto

52:38 Community and Inclusion in Emerging Tech

55:58 Emerging Tech and Community Impact

01:00:50 AI: The Future of Technology

01:06:35 Balancing Activism and Personal Life

01:16:40 Advice for Aspiring Voices

Welcome to this week’s episode of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob — a deep, honest, and hopeful reflection on where we are, where we’ve been, and the powerful people lighting the way forward.

Yes — the title is intentional. And yes — we are nine months into an administration that increasingly echoes authoritarian regimes of the past. But history shows us something important: progress always wins.

This episode is more than just political commentary — it’s a declaration of resilience, truth, and belief in the unstoppable force of people power. Uncle Rob reflects on the state of democracy, the erosion of First Amendment rights, and the ongoing cultural, legal, and moral battles we’re all witnessing here in the U.S.

But most importantly, this week’s conversation is full of hope — found in the stories of bold, brilliant women of color who are reshaping industries, challenging systems, and leading communities. You’ll hear from rising leaders like Amiah Sheppard, whose journey from foster care in Inglewood to the halls of Columbia University and USC is nothing short of incredible — and just one example of the kind of purpose-driven innovation that gives us hope.

If you need to feel inspired — genuinely inspired — by the kind of people who are building a better future in the face of political darkness, this episode is for you.

Tune in. Feel seen. Stay encouraged.

This is what optimistic resistance sounds like.

Peace. Joy. Love. And belief in the better days ahead.

— Uncle Rob

What do you do if you don’t see success stories that look like you? You forge your own path! In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob visits with local LA powerhouse, Amiah Sheppard, a passionate advocate and Leader for student entrepreneurship programming at USC’s Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and a renowned “storytelling/pitch” coach to entrepreneurs across the world through Sheppard Consulting. The two discuss how our next generation of young innovators are reshaping LA’s startup ecosystem, the real power of inclusive thinking, and why telling your story well might be the most important startup skill of all. Whether you're a budding founder, an investor hunting the next innovator or just curious about the future of innovation and growth in Los Angeles, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and heart.

Feel free to follow and engage with AMIAH here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiahsheppard/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiahshep/
X: https://x.com/amiahshep?lang=en
Website: https://amiahshep.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

04:34 Exploring USC's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

07:44 The Role of Universities in Entrepreneurship

10:32 Programs and Resources at USC

13:21 Impact of USC on Los Angeles

16:29 Trends in Student Entrepreneurship

19:46 The Importance of Diversity in Entrepreneurship

22:28 Pitch Coaching and Storytelling

32:35 Journey into Venture Capital and Coaching

35:36 The Importance of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship

43:23 Challenges in Entrepreneurial Storytelling

47:38 The Role of Diversity in Entrepreneurship

51:35 Vision for the Future of Los Angeles

55:30 Key Elements of Effective Storytelling for Entrepreneurs

This week, we’re diving deep into something that’s been weighing heavily on my mind: the rise of the “attention economy” and the erosion of real expertise.

In a world where virality often trumps value, and followers are confused for wisdom, we’re asking some big questions:

When did being seen become more important than being qualified?
How did our societal obsession with clicks, likes, and soundbites replace depth, knowledge, and lived experience?
What happens when leadership, media, and influence are driven more by popularity than credibility?

But this isn’t just a rant — this is also a reminder.

We had the privilege of reconnecting with Ileana Gonzalez, Director of Emerging Technology & Innovation at retail giant H-E-B, in a conversation that reminded us what true innovation really looks like — rooted in family, trust, people, and culture. This episode is a masterclass in what it means to lead from the inside out, and how meaningful innovation isn’t about flashy headlines or viral clips — it’s about serving humanity.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise, exhausted by the race for attention, or disheartened by how we measure success today — this conversation is for you.

🔁 Long-form.
🧠 Thought-provoking.
❤️ Human-centered.
🎙️ Deeply honest.

Tune in, take a breath, and rediscover the beauty of slowing down, listening deeply, and valuing what truly matters.

Hit play, stay a while — this is the kind of conversation we need more of.

Ever wonder how your local grocery store is quietly becoming smarter, faster, and better at learning your personal needs? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Ileana Gonzalez, Director of Emerging Technology and Innovation at 120 year old, family owned Retail giant, H-E-B from San Antonio, Texas, to explore how technology, culture, and community are reshaping retail from the inside out. From building coalitions at one of Texas's biggest retail companies to strengthening community ties in San Antonio and Mexico, Ileana shares real-world insights into innovation, leadership, and the human side of tech.

Feel free to follow and engage with ILEANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanagonzxlez/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ileanagonzxlez/
X: https://x.com/IleanaGonzxlez
Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebnewsroom/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Introduction to Retail Innovation

05:17 The Changing Grocery Experience

06:52 Innovating in a Family-Owned Business

11:35 Building Community and Culture at HEB

14:35 Understanding Consumer Needs

19:07 The Role of Technology in Retail

23:44 Employee Innovation and Partner Experience

25:12 What Makes HEB Stand Out?

26:49 HEB's Unique Opportunity in Mexico

28:03 Cross-Pollinating Innovation Across Borders

29:29 The Legacy of H-E-B and Community Impact

29:59 San Antonio's Entrepreneurial Landscape

34:06 Revitalizing Downtown San Antonio

35:23 Lessons from Leading TechBlock

38:27 Future Innovations at H-E-B

40:04 Building Relationships with Public and Private Sectors

43:02 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

47:23 Creating Meaningful Partnerships

Welcome back to another powerful Friday session of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, where we slow it all down before heading into the weekend — and today, there’s a lot to unpack.

This week’s episode takes you on a full-spectrum ride — from the heartbreaking Supreme Court decision on race-based detentions in Southern California, to America’s addiction to political violence and guns, and the season wrap-up for our beloved LA Sparks and Angel City FC. But most of all… we dive deep into the real talk around Artificial Intelligence — what it means, where it’s taking us, and who’s shaping the future.

Is AI going to give us the dreamy, efficient life of The Jetsons?

Or are we sliding toward the cold, chaotic reality of The Terminator?

Joining me is the incredible Kyiana Williams — CEO of e.e.r.s. and Entertwine — who’s using AI to revolutionize both the entertainment industry and civic engagement. Together, we explore how her work bridges tech and humanity, and why the way we shape AI now will define whether it uplifts society… or leaves generations behind.

We talk about:

What’s right and wrong with AI today
How AI is already transforming jobs, government, and crises response
The big corporate dilemma: growth without job creation
What you can do to help shape this future — before it shapes us

This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a call to awareness. The future is coming fast. Whether we lean toward hope or fear, we need to understand the stakes.

So grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and spend some quality stoppage time with me, Uncle Rob. Let’s think out loud, laugh a little, feel deeply, and face the future — together.

Tap play, hit subscribe, and let’s get into it.

What if technology rooted in the arts could save lives—and AI could help rebuild a more functional society? In this inspiring and insightful episode, entrepreneur and creative visionary Kyiana Williams shares her powerful journey from the arts to civic technology. She and Rob discuss how platforms like her companies, e.e.r.s. and Entertwine, are bridging the gap between creativity and employment and between everyday citizens need for better emergency response in crises and better government communication on a daily basis. They explore the future of AI, the importance of accessibility and products designed for everyone, as well as how technology can empower communities in times of crisis. Packed with wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and policy makers, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to shape a more resilient, connected world.

Feel free to follow and engage with KYIANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyiana-williams/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kywi_the_fruit/
Website: https://www.entertwine.us/
Website: https://eers.us/#home

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connections

05:02 The Role of AI in Society

08:05 Entertainment and Technology: A Dual Perspective

13:52 The Importance of Creative Accessibility

19:38 Civic Engagement and Technology

25:36 The Value of Art in Society

27:34 The Evolution of the Entertainment Industry

32:25 The Future of Film and Television

38:22 Empowering Change Through Information

40:37 Introducing Ears: A New Resource for Communities

47:36 The Role of Technology in Emergency Situations

48:12 AI and Information Accessibility

49:22 Enhancing Communication During Crises

50:36 The Importance of Human Oversight in AI

52:04 Personalized Information Delivery Systems

54:02 Scalability of AI Solutions in Government

56:17 Language Accessibility in Emergency Communications

58:23 Business Opportunities for Civic Tech

01:00:27 Specialized AI Agents for Different Departments

01:02:20 The Human Element in Government Services

01:05:23 Embedding Technology in Government Operations

01:07:42 The Need for Efficient Communication Systems

01:10:07 Conclusion: Bridging the Gap in Civic Engagement

01:10:48 Empowering Communities Through Technology

01:13:42 Optimism Amidst Uncertainty

01:14:08 The Power of Collective Action

01:22:07 Advice for Multi-Project Entrepreneurs

Hey hey, it’s us—Hi! Back again to wrap the week with you, from sunny Los Angeles, where summer lingers while autumn creeps in elsewhere. In this special extended episode, we dive deep into the realities shaping our world—from political chaos and cultural uncertainty to the hopeful power of entrepreneurial thinking that continues to fuel our pragmatic optimism.

This week, we sat down with our brilliant friend and mentee Paco Valencia, live from his clinic in Morelia, Mexico, for an eye-opening conversation about the future of prosthetics. Imagine this: over 40 million people worldwide live with prosthetic limbs, yet the design behind them has remained practically untouched for 6,000 years. Paco and his team are changing that narrative—using AI and modern manufacturing to reimagine what’s possible for mobility, comfort, and human dignity.

But that's just one part of this powerful journey.

We also reflect on other inspiring voices from across the globe: from Tijuana’s economic revitalization with Adriana Eguia, to rethinking venture capital with Allison Byers, to climate investment in Spain, fintech in Mexico, small business support in Virginia, and clean energy innovation that’s leading the way across Latin America. Each conversation is a reminder that while parts of the world feel like they’re spinning out of control, there are extraordinary people building a better one.

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a blueprint for hope.

So if you're looking for real talk, meaningful insights, and a little bit of soul to close out your week—pull up a chair. Let’s spend some time together.

What if losing a limb didn’t mean losing your independence? How many prosthetic (artificial limb) patients do you think there are in the world? In this eye-opening episode from Morelia, Mexico, Rob sits down with Francisco Valencia, CEO of Prothesia, to uncover how cutting-edge technology—like AI-driven design plus inclusive innovation and some entrepreneurial thinking about an industry that’s not changed much in 6000 years—is transforming the world of prosthetics for patients and their families. From the historical roots to the global inequalities in access presently, this conversation reveals how a startup company is reshaping healthcare and empowering lives across borders, while tapping a global market worth billions. Whether you're into tech, health, or love good storytelling, this one will inspire you to think differently about what’s possible.

Feel free to follow and engage with FRANCISCO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscov/?originalSubdomain=mx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paco_/?hl=en
Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/prothesia3d/?hl=en
Website: https://www.prothesia.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

04:49 The Evolution of Prosthetics

07:53 Understanding Patient Experiences

10:36 The Global Prosthetics Market

13:32 Access Disparities in Prosthetics

16:20 Innovative Solutions for Accessibility

19:17 The Role of Community in Healthcare

22:24 The Vision Behind Prosthesia

24:57 Prosthesia's Business Model and Impact

28:01 Patient-Centric Care in Prosthetics

30:53 Financing and Accessibility Challenges

33:49 Future of Prosthetics and Community Support

36:56 Innovative Solutions for Prosthetic Access

38:03 Vision for the Future of Prosthetics

42:14 Scaling and Distribution in Prosthetic Care

44:26 Medical Tourism and Cross-Border Healthcare

46:02 Pioneering Pediatric Orthotics

54:46 The Future of AI in Prosthetics

01:00:34 Advice for Aspiring Health Tech Entrepreneurs

This week’s episode is a heartfelt and thought-provoking reflection sparked by a powerful conversation with Adriana Eguía, Chairperson of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation. From the vibrant spirit of Tijuana to the broader struggles we face across borders, Rob dives deep into the critical topics shaping our world today—immigration, global trade, economic uncertainty, and the urgent need for values-driven leadership.

In a world where shouting down the “other side” has replaced standing for something meaningful, Rob challenges us to re-center ourselves in what we believe in, not just what we’re against. He shares personal stories, hard truths, and real lessons from the borderlands—places filled with promise, potential, and people who still believe in building bridges instead of walls.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the noise and longing for a voice that speaks with clarity, compassion, and conviction—this one’s for you. Tune in and spend a few minutes reflecting, recharging, and reconnecting with your better angels.

✨ Let’s stop the clock, take a breath, and get real—together.

📩 Have thoughts? Let Rob know in the comments, DMs, or via email.

Is Tijuana a forgotten immigrant town, or North American economic powerhouse? What do you get when culture, talent, and global business collide at the border? In this episode, Rob and Adriana Eguia, Chairperson of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation, take us inside the fast-changing economic and entrepreneurial landscape of Tijuana. Once known mainly for its location as the northwestern gateway to the United States, the city is now making headlines for its vibrant young talent pool, growing innovation hubs, and strategic role in the near-shoring boom.

They discuss how companies like Vesta are helping shape the region’s future through real estate development, and how political uncertainty and infrastructure challenges must be met with collaboration and long-term thinking. Whether you're a business leader, policy maker, or just curious about what's next for one of North America's most dynamic border cities — this conversation offers a fresh, hopeful look at Tijuana’s potential to lead the way.

Feel free to follow and engage with ADRIANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-eguia-alaniz-7b00431b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eguialaniz82/
Website: https://vesta.com.mx/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 The Economic Landscape of Tijuana

03:48 Tijuana's Unique Cultural Fusion

06:56 The Young Talent Pool in Tijuana

10:06 Political and Economic Challenges

12:55 Opportunities Amidst Uncertainty

16:01 Diversifying Tijuana's Economy

19:00 Balancing Diverse Economic Interests

22:03 Global Trade Dynamics and Tijuana

25:12 Future Prospects for Tijuana

30:12 Navigating Cross-Border Trade and Customs

32:52 Diversifying Economic Dependencies

34:52 The Role of Women in Business Leadership

36:05 Future Vision for Tijuana

39:45 The Impact of Nearshoring on Local Economy

43:54 Vesta: A Case Study in Real Estate Development

This week, we’re diving deep into what just might be one of the most powerful forces driving impact and innovation: curiosity.

Joined by the incredible Allison Byers, CEO of Scroobius and a true expert in Venture Capital equity and accessibility, we explore what it means to think entrepreneurially about the biggest challenges facing our world today—and how our own natural curiosity can unlock new ways to solve them.

Allison’s a data-driven advocate, policy influencer, investor, writer, and former operator who's working to level the playing field in capital access. She’s also humble, brilliant, and generously open about her journey and insights. Together, we unpack everything from systemic barriers in tech and venture, to the personal superpowers that fuel meaningful work—empathy, storytelling, and curiosity.

This episode is packed with heart, inspiration, and practical wisdom—not just for entrepreneurs, but for anyone trying to lead a more intentional, informed, and impactful life.

So what are your superpowers?

And more importantly—how curious are you willing to be?

Hit play, slow down, and join me in reflecting on how curiosity, when nurtured and shared, can shape the way we see, understand, and change the world around us.

A Broken Investment environment is an “Everyone” problem! What if the next big idea never gets off the ground — simply because the founder (maybe you?) doesn’t look like a ‘typical’ entrepreneur? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Allison Byers, founder of Scroobius, to unpack the hidden barriers in startup funding and how to think differently about this reality. From the unfair distribution of capital to the impact of policy changes like SB 54 in California, they explore how the system can evolve to support all entrepreneurs. Allison shares how Scroobius is helping diverse founders connect with investors — and why a more inclusive funding landscape leads to stronger businesses, communities, and economies.Feel free to follow and engage with ALLISON here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-byers/
X: https://x.com/apbyers
Website: https://www.scroobious.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

06:17 The Table of Innovation Funding

09:58 The Importance of Equitable Funding

16:27 The Business Case for Diversity in Funding

19:16 Personal Journey and Insights

28:28 Legislative Change: SB 54 Overview

34:53 The Impact of SB 54 on Venture Capital

40:48 State-Level Policy and Its Implications

43:39 Introducing Scroobius: A New Venture Capital Approach

47:52 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Its Challenges

01:00:33 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Capital Access

01:11:22 Actionable Steps for Founders Seeking Capital

This week’s episode is a deep, honest, and timely reflection on the thin line between success and failure—and how those two words show up in the lives of entrepreneurs, parents, creatives, and anyone chasing big dreams.

As summer winds down and life picks up again, Rob shares a thought-provoking conversation with Lauren Gregor, founder of Rent-A-Romper, who recently sold her startup and opened up about what it truly felt like to “let go” of her company. It’s not just about exits, deals, and check sizes—it’s about identity, community, self-worth, and defining success on your own terms.

This episode is filled with honest stories from Rob’s own entrepreneurial journey and lessons from over 15 years of interviewing founders around the world. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough, or if a quiet moment in your life is a sign of failure rather than growth, this conversation is for you.

Whether you're a founder, dreamer, investor, or just someone navigating life’s transitions, this is an invitation to slow down and listen deeply.

You're not alone—and your life is worth more than your startup.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts, and right here on YouTube.

👇 Hit play, drop a comment, and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Is an “exit” always every startup founder’s dream? What do most exits look like? What happens when your dream business becomes someone else’s? In this heartfelt conversation, Rob sits down here in Los Angeles, with Lauren Greger, founder of Rent-A-Romper, to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of building—and selling—a startup. They dive into the real cost of chasing success, what it takes to walk away, and why defining your own version of success might be the most important lesson of all. Whether you're a founder, dreamer, or just curious about the startup world, this episode is a must-listen.Feel free to follow and engage with LAUREN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengregor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengregor/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

04:47 Defining Success in Transition

07:50 Navigating Startup Culture

10:57 The Reality of Fundraising

13:51 Building a Sustainable Business

16:56 The Journey of Exiting a Business

19:43 Finding Community and Support

22:53 The Process of Selling a Business

40:26 Identifying Potential Buyers

41:44 Building Relationships for Business Transition

44:51 Navigating the Sale Process

46:03 The Emotional Journey of Letting Go

48:38 The Acquisition and Its Impact

51:12 Personal Growth Through Entrepreneurship

56:26 Family Dynamics and Business Transitions

59:31 Exploring New Interests and Opportunities

01:04:39 Key Questions for Entrepreneurs Considering Change

In this warm, reflective episode recorded under the summery skies of Los Angeles, Uncle Rob dives deep into a theme that’s been following him all week: Gratitude. From unexpected blessings to navigating challenges with a clearer heart, this episode is filled with stories, insights, and powerful reminders about what it means to live and lead with intention.

You’ll hear Rob reflect on the incredible conversation he had with Jamilah Corbitt on Entrepreneurial Thinkers, and how her wisdom around storytelling, community-building, and authentic leadership has left a lasting impression — all grounded in a spirit of joy and gratitude. If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or someone chasing big dreams, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a push forward at the same time.

Rob also opens up about the journey of building his new media company, the importance of trusted collaborators, and those beautiful, serendipitous moments that come when others believe in your vision — sometimes before the world does.

Whether you're at a turning point, on the grind, or just in need of some soul-fueling perspective, this episode is for you.

💬 Tune in, slow down, and lean into the magic of grateful expectation.

🧡 Let’s close the week out strong — together.

Who are the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the USA? How much of the USA economy is created by Small Businesses? What if the key to launching a game-changing business isn’t funding or connections—but the story behind it? In this episode, Rob sits down with his friend, storyteller and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder Jamilah Corbitt to uncover how powerful narratives can break barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive real innovation—especially in rural and underserved communities. From navigating federal government and (SBA) Small Business Administration resources to building local ecosystems that truly listen, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build inclusive entrepreneurial support across the country.

Feel free to follow and engage with JAMILAH here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilahcorbitt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilahcorbitt/
X: https://x.com/jamilahcorbitt?lang=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JamilahCorbitt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamilahCorbitt/
Website: https://jamilahcorbitt.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

04:10 Meet Jamila Corbitt: A Force of Nature

07:02 The State of Entrepreneurship in the U.S.

09:57 Inequities in Access to Entrepreneurial Resources

13:03 Understanding the SBA and Its Role

16:00 The Importance of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship

19:06 Establish: Bridging the Gap in Entrepreneurial Support

28:59 Innovative Community Building at Established

35:02 Addressing Marginalization in Entrepreneurship

41:53 The Backbone of the Economy: Small Businesses

47:29 The Art of Storytelling in Business

52:51 Building Local Ecosystems: Key Strategies

Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! After a short break to rest and recharge, we’re back with a powerful episode that brings together three remarkable entrepreneurial journeys — all rooted in vision, resilience, and pragmatic optimism.

In this full-length special, we reflect on recent conversations with three outstanding Mexican entrepreneurs:

🔹 Gaby Estrada, Co-founder of Vexi, transforming financial access in Mexico

🔹 Andres Friedman, CEO of Solfium, making solar energy easier and more accessible

🔹 Fernando Lelo de Larrea, Managing Partner at Rumbo Ventures, driving climate-focused investment across Europe

These leaders are navigating real challenges with courage and purpose. They’re building world-class businesses that tackle urgent problems — not someday, but now.

What unites them isn’t just their background or success — it’s their mindset. They are entrepreneurial thinkers and pragmatic optimists who, like us, see the world clearly and still choose to lean into what’s possible.

In a time filled with doubt and distraction, this episode is an invitation to think bigger, act boldly, and stay hopeful — even when the road ahead is tough.

Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about building a better future — one choice, one business, one idea at a time.

Has the United States abdicated it’s leadership on Clean, Green energy investment? Why is the “old world” better prepared to create the next big climate breakthroughs than the new world?? In this wide ranging and compelling conversation, Rob sits down with one of the original VC leaders in Mexico and Latin America, Fernando Lelo De Larrea, to explore how venture capital is shifting toward climate solutions—and why Europe and the Spanish speaking world are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. Fernando shares powerful lessons on leadership, storytelling, and vulnerability, while offering a candid look at what it takes for Latin American founders to thrive. We learn how Rumbo Ventures is helping build a cross-border movement to fight climate change through innovation and collaboration.

Feel free to follow and engage with FERNANDO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferlelo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferlelo/
X: https://x.com/ferlelo
Website: https://rumbo.ventures/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

What if your credit card actually worked for you, not against you? Can a Mexican fintech startup take on the big bank and finance industry? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Gabriela Estrada, CEO and co-founder of Vexi—a Mexican fintech startup that's shaking up the credit and personal finance game. Gabriela reveals how Vexi is breaking through the red tape of traditional banking, built upon her and her teams’ careers inside of the biggest banks, now earning customer trust, and making credit accessible to a new generation of Mexicans. From investor mindsets to cultural shifts in money, this conversation is packed with insight on building a business that truly empowers.

Feel free to follow and engage with GABRIELA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaestradan/
X: https://x.com/genanem
Website: https://www.vexi.mx/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, we dive deep into the very human—and very powerful—theme of resilience. In a world full of uncertainty and transition, how do we keep showing up? How do we keep building, creating, and believing?

Rob shares insights from a heartfelt and energizing conversation with Andres Friedman, Co-founder and CEO of Solfium, a solar energy company working to revolutionize customer experience in Mexico’s clean energy sector. From his pivot from a global aviation executive to a first-time entrepreneur, Andres’ journey is a masterclass in embracing discomfort, persistence, and steady progress—despite the chaos around us.

But this episode goes beyond one story. Rob reflects on his own path of transformation—both personal and professional—and weaves in powerful lessons from recent guests on Entrepreneurial Thinkers, including Jocelyn Ramirez of Todo Verde, Roy Scott of Urban Disney, and Bismarck Lepe of MiSalud Health. The common thread? Consistency. Courage. Community.

If you’re navigating your own season of change—or just need a reminder that forward is the only way—this episode is for you. It’s raw, honest, and hopeful.

Let’s keep pushing. Let’s keep believing. And let’s do it together.

🎧 Hit play, get inspired, and share with someone who needs this today.

Why doesn’t every building, everywhere, have Solar Panels on them? What do airplanes and solar panels have in common? For Andres Friedman, the answer is everything. Join Rob as he sits down with the former Bombardier executive turned clean tech innovator to explore how his company, Solfium, is reshaping the solar energy landscape in Mexico and why he sees Mexico and Latin America as such opportune markets. From navigating VC funding to building a solar marketplace from scratch, Andres shares his journey, challenges, and bold entrepreneurial vision for a sustainable future. Whether you're into startups, clean energy, or just love a good reinvention story — this episode has something for you.

Feel free to follow and engage with ANDRÉS here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-friedman/?originalSubdomain=mx
Website: https://solfium.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this Stoppage Time episode, Rob opens up about a week filled with tension, reflection, and ultimately, inspiration. As he grapples with the pressures of growing his media platform and the disturbing federal immigration actions taking place in Los Angeles, Rob finds clarity through a deeply personal and moving conversation with Jocelyn Ramirez—a chef, author, New York Times contributor, social justice advocate, and founder of the plant-based food brand Todo Verde.

Jocelyn’s story is one of heritage, resilience, and purpose. Born and raised in South LA to Mexican and Ecuadorian immigrant parents, she shares how food became both her expression and her activism—bringing people together, honoring culture, and creating access in underserved communities.

What unfolds is a heartfelt and timely discussion about identity, memory, and the power of food to unite us. Rob and Jocelyn reflect on how, in a city like Los Angeles—and a country built by immigrants—our shared meals and food traditions are living proof of who we are at our best.

At a time when some are trying to erase that truth, this episode stands as a celebration and a call to action: to defend our diversity, to uplift immigrant stories, and to recognize that food is more than nourishment—it’s resistance, it’s love, it’s legacy.

Pull up a chair. You’ll want to hear this one all the way through.

Do we buy more tortillas or hamburger buns in USA? Does everyone you know have access to healthy foods in their neighborhoods? What if the food you love could transform your health and your community? 🌱 In this really specific and insightful conversation, Rob sits down with Jocelyn Ramirez—chef, Author, CPG entrepreneur, New York Times Contributor, Activist and founder of Todo Verde—to explore how plant-based eating can be both deeply cultural, and radically healing. From tackling food access to preserving flavor and tradition, to talking entrepreneurship in the cut-throat competitive Consumer Packaged Goods Industry, Jocelyn shares her journey of blending activism, heritage, and deliciousness on every plate. Discover how food can be a powerful tool for change—and how you can bring this into your own life at home.Feel free to follow and engage with JOCELYN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyncramirez77/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_yoselin/?hl=en
Business Website: https://todoverde.org/
Website: https://www.chefjocelynramirez.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, we’re diving deep into one powerful theme: transition. As the U.S. marks Independence Day, Uncle Rob reflects on a whirlwind week filled with personal, political, and cultural shifts. From the turbulent political landscape in America, to the evolving spirit of Los Angeles as it prepares for LA28, to the raw reality of climate disasters and immigration injustice—this episode tackles the times we’re living in with heart and honesty.

But it’s not all chaos and challenge. This episode also features an inspiring conversation with Roy Scott, founder and CEO of Healthy Hip Hop. Once a gangsta rapper and college basketball star, Roy completely reinvented himself—creating a groundbreaking platform that merges positive hip hop with education tech to empower the next generation. His journey is a living example of how change is not only possible, but powerful.

Uncle Rob closes with a message of hope and personal truth—urging all of us to ask the hard questions, embrace uncertainty, and step into our own transitions with courage and curiosity.

✨ If you’re navigating your own changes in life—this one’s for you.

🎧 Stay for the whole ride. It might just shift something in you.

Is Hip Hop music the key to an EdTech revolution for schools and kids? What happens when a gangster rapper turns his mic and mind toward changing lives instead of chasing fame? In this inspiring episode, Rob sits down with Roy Scott, former rap artist turned CEO of Healthy Hip Hop, a platform blending beats and education to uplift the next generation. Roy shares how he flipped his past into purpose—creating kid-friendly hip hop that entertains, educates, and empowers. You’ll hear about his personal transformation, the power of storytelling in business, and why the right kind of music can change everything. Whether you're a parent, creative, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation hits all the right notes.Feel free to follow and engage with ROY here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/royscottceo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royscott.ceo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@royscott.ceo
Website: https://www.royscott.ceo/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

03:50 Roy Scott's Journey from Rapper to Entrepreneur

05:36 The Impact of Music on Education

11:46 The Role of Intentionality in Music Creation

13:47 Entrepreneurship as a Creative Pursuit

18:50 The Evolution of Healthy Hip Hop

21:44 Future Vision for Healthy Hip Hop

29:01 Choosing Passion Over Tradition

32:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery

35:32 Crafting Stories with Musical Sensibility

38:57 Empowering Others Through Mentorship

42:41 Building a Legacy with $100 Million

47:19 Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers

49:12 The Power of Leading with Your Why

Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! After a short break to rest and recharge, we’re back with a powerful episode that brings together three remarkable entrepreneurial journeys — all rooted in vision, resilience, and pragmatic optimism.

In this full-length special, we reflect on recent conversations with three outstanding Mexican entrepreneurs:
🔹 Gaby Estrada, Co-founder of Vexi, transforming financial access in Mexico
🔹 Andres Friedman, CEO of Solfium, making solar energy easier and more accessible
🔹 Fernando Lelo de Larrea, Managing Partner at Rumbo Ventures, driving climate-focused investment across Europe

These leaders are navigating real challenges with courage and purpose. They’re building world-class businesses that tackle urgent problems — not someday, but now.

What unites them isn’t just their background or success — it’s their mindset. They are entrepreneurial thinkers and pragmatic optimists who, like us, see the world clearly and still choose to lean into what’s possible.

In a time filled with doubt and distraction, this episode is an invitation to think bigger, act boldly, and stay hopeful — even when the road ahead is tough.

Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about building a better future — one choice, one business, one idea at a time.

In this episode of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, Rob opens up about two powerful conversations that reignited his passion for purpose-driven storytelling and meaningful connection. First, he sits down with longtime mentee and now dear friend, Oligaby Leal, who made the bold decision to step down as CEO of a leading logistics company in Mexico to pursue a life aligned with her own purpose—not someone else’s expectations. Their candid and vulnerable exchange explores what it truly means to choose fulfillment over convention.

Rob also shares reflections from his birthday weekend, spent in deep conversation with his daughter and close friends. These heart-to-heart moments highlight the power of authentic dialogue across generations and reinforce Rob’s belief that real connection happens through intentional, open conversation.

And with great excitement, Rob announces the launch of the Storytellers Company Studio, a new offering designed to help businesses and organizations tell their stories through podcasting—easily, affordably, and with impact. Whether it’s “podcasting as business development” or part of your marketing strategy, the Studio is here to help brands connect and grow through the power of story.

This episode is full of insight, inspiration, and heartfelt storytelling. Tune in—you’ll walk away with something real.

🔗 Check out Bruce Hamilton’s newsletter mentioned in the episode: https://everybody.beehiiv.com/p/podcasts-as-marketing

Storytellers Company Branded Podcast Thesis Document:

Branded Podcasts SC - May 28th 2025.pdf

This is a must listen episode for any millennial or Gen-Z leader or professional. What happens when you reach the top, very early in your career—only to realize it’s not where you want to be? In this inspiring and very personal conversation between friends, Rob, the Mentor, talks with Olivia Leal, his long time mentee and two time CEO, who made the bold choice to step away from her role as CEO in the male-dominated logistics industry in Mexico, to find greater purpose in her personal life while caring for her own long term wellbeing. Together, they explore the pressures of cultural expectations, the challenges of leadership, and the importance of self-discovery. Olivia shares honest reflections on burnout, identity, and learning to prioritize purpose and herself over prestige—offering a powerful message for anyone rethinking what success really means.

Feel free to follow and engage with OLIVIA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivialeal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oligleal

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this powerful episode of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, we take a moment to reflect on what truly matters—in life, in business, and in our shared humanity.

At a time when uncertainty and division feel louder than ever, I’ve found hope and clarity through conversations with some of the most empathetic and visionary entrepreneurial thinkers in our community. This week’s episode brings together three deeply personal, thought-provoking dialogues that reaffirm core values I hold close: doing good while doing business, leading with empathy, and honoring the immigrant experience as essential to progress.

We sit down with Bismarck Lepe, founder of MiSalud Health, to discuss how his mission-driven company is tackling healthcare inequality head-on. We hear from Councilperson Nithya Raman, who reminds us that effective leadership starts by meeting people where they are, with open minds and hearts. And in a moving tribute, I revisit a past conversation with Ali Jamal, a remarkable investor and human being, whose recent passing has left a void—but also a lasting lesson about purpose, impact, and the boundless power of compassion.

These stories—past and present—are a reminder that the best kind of leadership doesn’t come from power or profit, but from love, service, and a belief in building a better world together.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community leader, or just someone searching for hope right now—this episode is for you.

🌍 The most powerful ideas are borderless.

❤️ And the best kind of success is shared.

Watch now. Be moved. Be inspired. Be reminded.

What if the key to fixing America’s broken healthcare system came from outside the system itself? Can we deliver top class care, to working class people as the inalienable right that it should be for everyone?

In this episode, Rob sits down with Bismarck Lepe, CEO of MiSalud Health, to talk about why they’re going all-in on fixing the $5 Trillion dollar healthcare industry. Bismarck, the child of immigrant farmworkers, lives a story that goes from SoCal to Stanford, to Google and a few big startup successes while never losing connection with his Jalisco, Mexico roots. He is now known as one of Mexico’s most iconic entrepreneurial success stories and leaders, and a multiple time former exited founder. We discuss how this bold startup is using technology, talent, and cultural insight to bring better healthcare to underserved communities—especially within the Hispanic population of the United States. From cross-border innovation to nearshore medical care, discover how MiSalud is challenging the status quo and reimagining the future of healthcare in North America.

Feel free to follow and engage with BISMARCK here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bismarcklepe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bismarcklepe/
X: https://x.com/bismarcklepe
Website: https://www.misaludhealth.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, we take a breath—together.

In a moment of deep personal reflection and civic unrest here in Los Angeles, I found grounding and perspective through an extraordinary conversation with Councilmember Nithya Raman—an advocate, a leader, and the first South Asian woman elected to LA’s City Council in its 245-year history.

This episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers dives into some of the most pressing issues facing our city—homelessness, housing, climate change—and the broader implications of how we govern, how we show up for our neighbors, and how we define community. What stood out to me most was the call for more patience, perspective, and humanity—especially in moments of crisis.

We recorded this conversation just before ICE raids and peaceful protests reshaped the mood of our city. Though those events weren't discussed in the episode, their shadows linger over every word. And as someone who participated in the protests, I bring that energy into this moment—with pride, concern, and a deep sense of civic responsibility.

This isn’t just a conversation about policy—it’s about who we are, and who we aspire to be.

As an Angeleno, a Californian, and a proud American, I believe we can do better. This episode is a reminder of that belief.

Watch, listen, reflect—and let’s move forward together.

StoppageTimeWithUncleRob #EntrepreneurialThinkers #NithyaRaman #LosAngeles #CivicEngagement

Can local government work for everyone? Can individual citizens like you, make a difference in your neighborhoods and Cities? Can elected officials think differently about a City’s challenges and opportunities, to build better? Rob sits down with CouncilPerson Nithya Raman — the first South Asian woman elected to L.A.'s City Council in the City’s 245 year history — for a candid, but hopeful and human conversation about the city’s biggest challenges: homelessness, housing, and a climate in crisis. Nithya shares how empathy, activism, and bold policy can work together to create real change, while offering practical ways Angelenos can step up and shape their neighborhoods for the better over the long term.

Feel free to follow and engage with NITHYA here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cd4losangeles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nithyaforthecity/
X: https://x.com/nithyavraman
Website: https://cd4.lacity.gov

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nithya Raman

04:58 Current Challenges in Los Angeles

11:36 The Role of Local Government

13:33 Balancing Aspirations and Governance

20:05 Community Engagement and Local Impact

34:12 Housing as a Central Issue

39:59 Integrating Housing and Climate Policy

46:00 Actionable Steps for Angelenos

This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, we dive into the messy, complex, and often beautiful truth behind building big things—whether it's billion-user tech platforms or transforming a city the size of a small nation.

Inspired by the eye-opening book How Big Things Get Done (recommended by former guest Thomas Logstrup Riebs), Rob reflects on the challenges, trade-offs, and deep human elements behind meaningful progress. These reflections are sparked by his recent conversations with two extraordinary women: tech leader and entrepreneur Sara Hicks, and LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman.

What do they have in common? Both have spent their careers working on ambitious, high-impact projects—one in the fast-moving world of startups, and the other in the slow, layered world of governance. And both reveal that despite the different arenas, the underlying truths about building anything worthwhile remain strikingly similar: it’s never easy, never perfect, and never just about the end result.

If you've ever wondered why important work often takes longer than expected—or how we can still lead with humanity in a world obsessed with scale and speed—this episode will leave you thinking long after the final whistle.

📚 Check out the book How Big Things Get Done:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Big-Things-Get-Done-ebook/dp/B0B3HS4C98

None

What if the secret to thriving in chaos, while building your company, isn’t hustling harder—but leading with purpose? How do you build products to serve billions of users, but not lose sight of their individual humanity?

In this deep conversation, Rob sits down with Sara Hicks, leadership coach, author and founder of The Intentional Organization. Together, they unpack the rise of LA's tech economy over the last 30 years, the power of community in entrepreneurship, and how leaders can shift from reactive to intentional. Sara shares her career journey from building a few of the biggest, most successful internet products and companies of all time, to building and selling a successful startup, to now coaching founders and writing about leadership with clarity and compassion. Tune in for practical tools, honest reflections, and a fresh perspective on what it really takes to lead well—especially when things get tough.

Feel free to follow and engage with SARA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralouhicks/?trk=public_profile_articles_see_all
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saralouhicks/
Website: https://saralouhicks.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers

04:44 The Evolution of Southern California's Tech Scene

13:54 The Importance of Community in Tech

20:52 Building Reaction Commerce: A Journey of Innovation

29:31 Transitioning from Founder to Coach

34:00 Harnessing Technology as a Tool

38:48 Building Intentional Organizations

40:35 Balancing Creativity and Analytics in Leadership

48:16 Intentional Leadership on Bad Days

54:51 The RAD Framework for Intentional Leadership

This week, we dive deep into the heart of what drives us, as we reflect on an incredible conversation with returning guest Jessica Bedoya, Founder and Managing Partner of the LARA Fund—a private equity firm focused on infrastructure across Latin America. But this episode is about so much more than just private equity…

Jessica’s story lit a fire in us. She’s a true underdog—young, Latina, and leading in an industry historically dominated by the usual suspects. Her journey sparked a larger reflection on our collective love for underdogs—whether it’s Latin America, overlooked markets, or even our beloved, heartbreak-inducing Chicago Cubs.

Together, we explore what it means to bet on the underestimated: people, regions, opportunities, and even ourselves. We swap stories from our time in Latin America, dig into what makes her fund different, and connect the dots between personal roots and professional purpose.

This isn’t just an interview—it’s a layered, honest, and thought-provoking ride through identity, leadership, impact, and why rooting for the underdog might just be a calling.

So pull up a seat, press play, and stay for the full journey. We promise, this one’s worth it.

Think Latin America is too risky to invest in? Think women can’t lead in traditional Private Equity? Think again! In this episode Rob sits down with Jessica Bedoya, Founding Managing Partner of the LARA Fund, to reveal why the region is full of such untapped potential, in many countries that most investors regularly overlook. From booming sectors to cultural insights that matter, Jessica shares the real story behind the numbers and the relationships—and what it takes to succeed as both an investor and a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated industry.

Feel free to follow and engage with JESSICA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-l-bedoya-a556941b1
X: https://x.com/jessicalbedoya
Website: https://larafund.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week’s episode is one of those rare gems that hits deep, challenges your thinking, and leaves you feeling fired up and hopeful.

We sit down with Matt Schaar from Accion Venture Labs for a powerful and thought-provoking discussion on the real purpose of capital in today’s world. From his unlikely path as a rocket scientist to becoming an impact investor, Matt shares a journey that reminds us all that life isn’t linear — it’s a winding, purpose-filled adventure.

This episode is packed with insights that go beyond business-as-usual. We dig into how venture capital can be a tool for good, not just profit. We talk about leaning into inclusivity in difficult times, the undeniable economic power of women (yes, 40% of truck drivers in Pakistan are women!), and why thinking globally — in every sense — is the future of sustainable entrepreneurship.

If you’ve been feeling the weight of this year, especially as a founder, investor, or leader, this episode might be exactly what you need. Vulnerable, energizing, and full of perspective — it’s like an MBA for the soul.

Hit play, stay for the whole ride, and let yourself be inspired.

What if venture capital wasn’t just about profit, but about people? Does everyone need to raise Venture Capital? Wouldn’t you love to invest with purpose? In this episode, Rob sits down with his friend Matt Schaar of Accion Venture Lab, to unpack how investing in underserved communities, around the world, is reshaping the future of finance and how the Accion Group has been leading the way for more than 60 years. From empowering women entrepreneurs to bringing financial tools to the world’s overlooked populations, Matt shares his unexpected journey from aerospace to impact investing—and why understanding real human stories is the key to driving real change.

Feel free to follow and engage with MATT here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattschaar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_schaar_
Website: https://www.accion.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this week’s extended Stoppage Time episode, we dive into reflections and fresh takeaways from my fascinating conversation with Scottish entrepreneur Chris Herd — the founder of Firstbase, which was recently acquired by AppDirect after raising millions in venture capital from top-tier firms like Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz.

Joining us from his hometown of Aberdeen, Chris shares powerful insights on the future of remote work, building entrepreneurial ecosystems beyond Silicon Valley, and what it really means for a founder to exit a company. We also take a surprising historical turn, uncovering Scotland’s deep and often overlooked influence on the industrial and modern economic world.

This is more than just a conversation about startups and remote work — it's a thoughtful, personal, and at times philosophical journey through leadership, legacy, and the evolution of work over the next 50 years.

If you're into entrepreneurship, remote-first thinking, or just love hearing from passionate, grounded leaders who think big — this one’s for you.

So sit back, press play, and stay with me through the full episode — you’ll be glad you did. See you every Friday, right here, for more Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob.

What if the next big startup hub isn’t in the United States — but in Scotland? Are there lessons to be learned in how to build entrepreneurial ecosystems anywhere, that can be culled from this old, small Port City in far northeastern Scotland. Rob sits down with one of the earliest leaders in “Remote Work” enablement, and arguably one of Scotland’s top Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Chris Herd, founder of Firstbase. They explore how a nation known for its deep history, and prior dominance in traditional industries like Shipping and Oil and Gas, might just be on the edge of a modern entrepreneurial breakthrough. From the future of remote work to the cultural mindset shifts needed for innovation, Chris shares bold insights on what it will take to turn Scotland into a global hotspot for startups and the lessons others can take from their story. Whether you're a founder, dreamer, ecosystem builder or just curious about what fuels great innovation — this one’s for you.

Feel free to follow and engage with CHRIS here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisherd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisherd
Website: https://www.firstbase.com/
Website: https://www.appdirect.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! This week’s episode is a powerful deep dive into the realities of career burnout, rediscovering your purpose, and reshaping your mindset—featuring the brilliant Goli Kalkhoran, founder of Lessons from a Quitter.

We unpack three big takeaways from our energizing conversation on Entrepreneurial Thinkers Episode 158, “Quitting Your Career to Save Your Life.” Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, executive, or simply feeling stuck in your current path, this is a conversation you need to hear. Goli shares deeply personal insights about breaking free from a life that no longer fits and taking bold steps toward something better.

From learning to stop tolerating the things that drain us, to recognizing that persistent inner itch that might be your next calling, to powerful tools like Thought Swapping and Intentional Thinking—this episode is packed with practical wisdom for navigating uncertainty and realigning with joy and purpose.

Goli’s story hit home for me in so many ways—especially as someone who made my own career pivot 27+ years ago. Her words are real, relatable, and needed now more than ever in today’s chaotic world.

If you’re ready for a mindset shift, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles, this is the one to watch. And while I don’t have a book rec this week, I do recommend checking out her podcast Lessons from a Quitter. Trust me—whatever your journey looks like right now, there’s something here for you.

🙏 Thank you for being part of our growing community of Entrepreneurial Thinkers. Let’s keep moving forward together. Happy Friday—and see you next week!

Do you hate your job? Do you sometimes fantasize about what you’d do with your life if not in the job you have today? What if quitting isn’t failing—but finally listening to yourself?

In this inspiring, thoughtful episode, Goli Kalkhoran joins Rob to unpack the real story behind walking away from “success.” From leaving a prestigious law career to launching her podcast, “Lessons from a Quitter”, and expanding to build a coaching, course and community business that empowers others, Goli reveals the mindset shifts, cultural struggles, and bold moves that shaped her journey. Together, they challenge the stigma around quitting and explore how embracing entrepreneurship—and your true self—can lead to a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or just curious about what else is out there, this conversation will get you thinking.

Feel free to follow and engage with GOLI here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/golikalkhoran/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromaquitter/?hl=es
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessonsfromaquitter
Website: https://lessonsfromaquitter.com/about/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

In this episode, we unpack powerful insights from Episode 157 of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, featuring Matt Petersen, CEO of LACI (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator). But this isn't just a recap—it's a passionate, real-world call to action about why cities are the true drivers of climate progress, how the transition to a clean green economy is not just idealistic—but economically inevitable, and why taking responsibility in your own community truly matters.

From the grassroots to city halls, from personal anecdotes to political realities, this conversation goes beyond headlines. Uncle Rob ties together the threads of innovation, civic action, and climate urgency—with a dose of hope and a nudge to step up.

📚 Book Recommendation: Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design

👉 Check it out on Amazon

Whether you're a seasoned change-maker or just tuning in, this episode will leave you thinking—and hopefully, doing. 💡

🎧 Grab a coffee, settle in, and spend some Stoppage Time with us. You won’t regret it.

StoppageTime #ClimateAction #GreenEconomy #CitizenEntrepreneur #UncleRob #EntrepreneurialThinkers #LACI #CleanEnergy #UrbanInnovation

Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design

What if saving the planet could also save the economy? Is our move to a greener and cleaner planet inevitable, regardless of the politics of any one era? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Matt Petersen, CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), and long time leader of Climate policy across the United States, and arguably the world, to talk about how the clean green economy is no longer a choice—it’s an inevitable necessity. From rebuilding after our LA wildfires to backing underrepresented founders, Petersen shares how LA is becoming a global hub for clean innovation and investment. Tune in to hear how bold policy, local leadership, and inclusive tech are powering a climate revolution—with real jobs and real impact.

Feel free to follow and engage with MATT here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-petersen-0771691/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattspete?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Website: https://laincubator.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Hey hey! You might’ve just noticed us pop up in your audio feed—and we’re so glad you did. After releasing 35+ episodes exclusively on YouTube in 2024, Stoppage Time is now available every Friday right here too!

Each week, Uncle Rob shares his raw, real-time reflections on the world around us—connecting stories from the Entrepreneurial Thinkers series, unpacking current events, and diving deep into what it means to think more entrepreneurially in life and work.

This episode kicks off a fresh chapter—with new sponsors, new opportunities, and a whole lot of heart. We’re excited to welcome our Community Champion Sponsors and give you the chance to get to know them, just like you’ve gotten to know our amazing guests.

Listen in, stay inspired, and let’s build something meaningful together.

🎙 Thursdays – Entrepreneurial Thinkers

🎙 Fridays – Stoppage Time

Thanks for tuning in. Let’s get into it.

Do you know where Spotify was created? Do you know how much innovative technology comes from Northern Europe? What happens when Nordic innovation meets the fast-paced world of U.S. entrepreneurship? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Thomas Logstrup Riebs, the Los Angeles based partner at Traksjon, the expansion agency of record, helping Nordic and European companies and innovators expand to the largest markets in the United States.

They unpack the mindset that fuels success across borders. From navigating cultural and political shocks to seizing opportunities in Southern California’s booming economy, Thomas shares his own personal journey from Denmark to Los Angeles — and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you're an entrepreneur or executive eyeing international growth or just love a good story about risk, resilience, and reinvention, this conversation is packed with sharp insights, real-world examples, and a refreshing take on what it really takes to thrive in the U.S. market.

Feel free to follow and engage with THOMAS here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasriebs/
Website: https://traksjon.aveltsagency.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

After a much-needed 6-week hiatus, Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob returns—and not just with a show, but with purpose, perspective, and a renewed sense of direction. In this powerful comeback episode, Uncle Rob opens up with real talk about what’s been going on behind the scenes: from the harsh realities of the start of 2025, wildfires in LA, the state of our democracy, to the very real grind of trying to build a stable business out of passion and podcasting.This episode isn’t just a welcome back—it’s a reflection, a reset, and a rally cry. Rob dives deep into the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the behind-the-curtain moments that led to this return. With a clearer plan, stronger team dynamics, and the support of generous sponsors, this is the beginning of a new chapter for the show, the Entrepreneurial Thinkers community, and Rob himself.If you’ve ever hit pause on your dreams to regroup, if you’ve ever tried to build the plane while flying it—this one’s for you.Thanks for riding with us. Your support truly means the world.Hit play, stay with us ‘til the end, and we’ll see you next week.

Can VR help rebuild neurons and slow dementia? Can technology be used to supplement our humanity instead of replacing it in the age of Ai? In this episode, Rob sits down with Jack Abbott, Chief Resilience Officer at ReviveXR and Chief Joy Advocate at Made For Joy from San Diego, to explore the entrepreneurial thinking of “Joy” in our industries and lives. They explore how technologies like VR and AI are revolutionizing the market for recuperative therapeutics and emotional wellness. Jack opens up about his personal journey—navigating political angst, finding solace through his Mexican rescue dog, Lola, and rediscovering the power of gratitude in transforming his outlook on life. Together, they discuss how these lessons extend beyond our personal lives, into shaping innovative approaches to Senior Care and Employee Wellness through VR at Revive XR.

From Jack's heartfelt stories about his mother’s experiences with virtual reality to practical tips for creating joy and connection in everyday life, this conversation uncovers how technology can be used to strengthen emotional bonds and foster genuine relationships. They also touch on the ripple effects of incorporating gratitude and emotional resilience in the workplace, offering a fresh perspective on how businesses can thrive while making a positive impact on society.

This episode is a reminder that even in a fast-paced, tech-driven world, joy and human connection remain at the heart of what truly matters.

Feel free to follow and engage with JACK here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinch44/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeforjoyxr
Website: https://www.madeforjoy.life/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Is it still important to be awake or “Woke” to cultural changes? Do you think you’re an entrepreneurial thinker? Hint; Rob thinks you are and tells you how to become one! Have you ever wanted to know more about Rob and his story? Well, nearly five years, hundreds of episodes, and a mission that's more relevant than ever—Rob shares what it takes to keep amplifying the voices that matter most? In this special anniversary episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, we reflect on the journey so far: celebrating the diversity of our guests, the industries we've explored, and the milestones that have shaped us. Rob dives into the "why" behind the show, the validation of its mission in today’s chaotic world, and the exciting expansion into studio production services to amplify even more stories for brands, companies or organizations striving to tell their stories in positive, human ways.

Feel free to follow and engage with ROB here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@iamrobryan

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Will the United States survive a MAGA Takeover? Are you worried about President Trump’s manufactured trade war with Mexico and Canada? Can the relationships between these three long time North American allies, survive this moment in history? Tariffs, political strategies, and a media revolution in how and where we source our information, are reshaping our world in real time, can we keep up?

This conversation with great friend of the show, Alex Gonzalez Ormerod, explore how these forces are rapidly shaping the future of North America? In this thought-provoking episode, Rob and Alex, Owner of the hugely valuable newsletter, The Mexico Political Economist, take a deep dive, from his perspective across the border, into the complex dynamics of trade, the evolving role of independent journalism, and the challenges of public accountability across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. From the ripple effects of economic policies to the strategic maneuvers of political leaders, they explore how these interconnected elements are transforming industries, public perception, and regional relationships in a rapidly changing world.

Feel free to follow and engage with ALEX here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-gonzález-ormerod-681433b2/?originalSubdomain=mx
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgonzor?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
X: https://twitter.com/alexgonzor?lang=en
Website: https://open.substack.com/pub/mxpolec?r=ytty&utm_medium=ios
Website: https://restofworld.org/author/alex-gonzalez-ormerod/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can we build growth companies in traditional industries? Can technology & the construction industry come together to build a better America? What happens when Josh flips the script to ask Rob some questions?

In this episode, Rob and Joshua Ogundu, Founder & Head of Product at Tradeway Tech have a high energy optimistic discussion of the transformative potential of treating the traditional “trades” as entrepreneurial opportunities. Josh brings his Midwestern work ethic, empathy and professional experiences, having led product at innovative big tech companies like TikTok, to founding venture backed startups like CampFire, and now leveraging technology to revolutionize the construction industry! From fostering curiosity and creativity, to discussing how legacy industries can thrive in a tech-driven world, Josh brings his boundless energy and pragmatic insights on community engagement, storytelling, and the unique entrepreneurial spirit of Los Angeles to bear on this conversation between friends.

Feel free to follow and engage with JOSHUA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-ogundu-b92b835b
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh_ogundu
X: https://x.com/JoshuaOgundu
Website: https://tradesaretheway.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

What if your favorite indulgence could also be your healthiest choice? Do you ever wonder how your favorite food products make it to your grocery shelves? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob dives into the inspiring story of Diogo Valente and Tiago Rebelo, founders of Swee Creamery—a vegan ice cream brand born in Portugal during the pandemic, selling successfully now in US grocers in your city.

From a serendipitous meeting at the gym, to navigating the globally hyper- competitive CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) market, to trusted friends now, these two young men share how they’ve built a brand that prioritizes great flavor, consumer engagement, and strategic growth of community through social media. They talk about their sharing of their life stories with their community, and their love for great products and loyal customers, as well as their open ambitions to breakthrough to great success in the US market! Tune in to discover their insights on breaking into the U.S. market, the power of partnerships, and their advice for standing out in saturated industries.

Feel free to follow and engage with DIOGO and TIAGO here:

LinkedIn Diogo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diogov/ LinkedIn Tiago: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiago-rebelo-893021156/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swee.portugal/ Website: https://sweecreamery.com/enWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Diverse fund teams are more profitable! Do you believe diversifying the venture capital investment industry actually creates better investment returns? Hint, it does! In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Megan Stevenson-Krausz, co-CEO of Diversity VC, a unique non-profit organization helping its VC Firm members worldwide, to uncover why diversity isn’t just a moral imperative but a business and profit advantage. From redefining equity in venture capital to balancing meritocracy with inclusion, they discuss practical strategies for creating more diverse investment teams. Megan shares her insights on cultural nuances, intersectional diversity in Latin America and globally, and shares specific stories on how Diversity VC is helping funds transform their approach to equity. Tune in to explore the intersection of opportunity, representation, and innovation.

Feel free to follow and engage with MEGHAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghansk/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghan_sk/
X: https://x.com/meghan_sk?lang=en
Website: https://diversity.vc

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

What happens when entrepreneurial thinking meets social justice? Can you imagine collaborating with the people you like the least? In this episode, Rob sits down with the dynamic leader, Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.org, to explore her journey from punk rock protester to social justice executive of a National organization, where she bridges divides across a wide array of social and societal issues everyday. They explore her own rich life experiences, which shaped who she is, and led her almost instinctively, though serendipitously, into these innovative ways to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities of our times; climate change, mass incarceration, and economic inequality. Discover how curiosity, empathy, equity, and collaboration can shape a brighter future for everyone.

Feel free to follow and engage with NISHA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-m-anand/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishamanand/ X: https://x.com/nishamanand Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nisha.anand.31 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRHuDs9NUk_cRgEEyehdHMKOihFJtTbZt Website: https://www.nishaanand.org Business Website: https://dream.orgWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you know what a Family Office is? What do family offices, blockchain, and Hollywood investors have in common? Robert Mowry joins Rob on this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers to discuss the dynamic intersection of venture capital, technology, and LA’s uniquely diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem. The two discuss inequities in funding for women and under-supported founders and emerging VC’s, explore new technologies like Ai, Blockchain and Crypto, and discuss how athletes and entertainers are reshaping the startup investment markets. Robert is a deeply experienced Investor, Family Officer operator, teacher, Community Leader and regular media contributor on these topics and more. He shares stories of his Southern California upbringing, his deep relationship networks that span the State of California from South to North and how his life crosses over between the startup, entertainment and professional athletic worlds. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Feel free to follow and engage with ROBERT here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/defi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laeconclub/
X: https://x.com/robertmowry
Website: https://www.robertmowry.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

As we close out 2024—a year of growth, challenges, and opportunities—we’re sharing this special holiday episode as our heartfelt gift to you.

From the wisdom of our incredible guests to personal stories and actionable insights, we explore four essential themes for all entrepreneurial thinkers no matter where you are in your business, career or life journey:

✨ Community: The people who support and inspire us.

🎯 Purpose: Finding your “why” and pursuing it intentionally.

🤝 Relationships: Building partnerships, friendships, and trust.

🧠 Curiosity & Creativity: Staying open-minded, learning, and innovating.

We’ve also curated some highlights from our other weekly show, Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob and shared Rob’s Top 5 Book recommendations from his reading list, to fuel your growth in 2025.

Thank you for being part of our community. Your support means everything. Wishing you love, peace, and inspiration this season and beyond. 🌟

Feel free to follow and engage with ROB RYAN here:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@iamrobryan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you want to be more of an entrepreneurial thinker? Do you love learning from experienced leaders? Are you someone who works in the entrepreneurial industry and want to learn how to grow your local community?

In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Andy Wilson, the (recently departed) Executive Director of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation, and one of Los Angeles’ longest tenured, most respected business and community leaders, to discuss how entrepreneurial thinking can be a game-changer for industries, communities, and economies. He shares insights from his 30+ years of experience across both the public and private sectors and looks forward toward his next professional challenge. They unpack the importance of optimism, collaboration, and diversity in building sustainable ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs. They explore the challenges of consensus-building in politics, the roles of universities and government in fostering innovation, and actionable strategies for creating meaningful professional networks. If you’re ready to learn how to be a world class entrepreneurial thinker, while driving progress in your career or community, don’t miss this insightful conversation!

Feel free to follow and engage with ANDY here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andywilsoninnovator/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
X: https://x.com/andywilsonsocal
Website: https://alliancesocal.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

What would you choose- Life saving drugs that would extend your life, but leave your family overwhelmed with debt, or death? Is anyone obsessed with enabling a world where life saving drugs and therapies are readily, affordably accessible to everyone who needs them? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with DJ White, founder and CEO of Cytodyme, a San Diego based software company, to unpack the inefficiencies in the biotech and Pharma industries, and the transformative potential of automation in the industry, to lower costs and create better patient outcomes! DJ shares his personal journey as a once aspiring “real life Indiana Jones” historian-turned- gene therapy researcher to biotech industry entrepreneur, and how his path today was fueled by a tragic personal loss. DJ shares powerful insights into innovating in an industry that touches nearly all our lives at some point. Discover how he's reshaping the path from lab to patient, the promise of virtual biotech, and lessons every entrepreneur can take to heart.

Feel free to follow and engage with DJ here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dewhite414/
Website: https://www.cytodyme.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do Mexican VC’s have to chase “unicorns” to be successful, like their US peers? What industries are ripe for reinvention in Mexico and Latin America? Are you an institutional investor seeking greater returns on better valued deal flow? This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Rob and Alejandro Gonzalez, Managing Partner at Redwood Ventures and Santatera Capital talk about playing the Venture Capital game, their way! Ale, a long time friend and former client of Rob’s prior company, sit down to discuss their newly announced, ground-breaking strategic partnership with SeedStars, as well as their firms growth, their vision for the coming Latino opportunity in North America, and the evolution of Mexico’s startup ecosystem through it’s pandemic hyper-acceleration and great reset. They discuss the impact of cultural heritage on emerging markets, and the bold strategies shaping the future of VC in their view. Across their multiple Funds affiliated with Redwood, Alejandro explores investments in everything from food innovation, CPG, Sports, technology and services investments in the US and Latin America. This episode explores untapped opportunities, investor insights, and a few great success stories you can’t miss!

Feel free to follow and engage with ALEJANDRO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-redwood/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alejandro_gonal?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Website: https://www.redwood.ventures

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you want to know how the most progressive modern investors think? Do you worry about the cultural barriers preventing more diverse entrepreneurs from success? Do you want to know how to pursue your own highest potential?

Rob sits down with his friend Qiana Patterson; Venture Investor, Advisor, Educator, Yoga Practitioner, Mentor and Problem Solver, to discuss her life philosophies shaped by her considerable life experiences. It’s an inspiring journey from teacher to technology to investment and to whatever comes next in her pursuit of her best potential. Together, they explore the power of creative capital, the role of women in finance, and how amplifying underrepresented voices can reshape communities. From Los Angeles' vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem to actionable strategies for inclusivity, this conversation is packed with insights on turning challenges into opportunities for lasting impact.

Feel free to follow and engage with QIANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qianapatterson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qianaqiana/
Website: https://nayahstudio.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Have you ever stopped to observe “how you feel” when you’re outside? Do you consider yourself a City Person or an Outdoorsy type? Have you ever met an entrepreneur who is turning the outdoors into an experiential education business? If you listen to this- you will meet one of the best!

In this episode, Rob enjoys a really thought-provoking conversation with Yvonne Leow, Founder and CEO of Bewilder, an Outdoor Education company, built by this former journalist turned Outdoors innovator. She poetically leads us to a better understanding of the evolving relationship between city living and nature as well as the importance of designing intentionally diverse and more accessible programming. From breaking down misconceptions about outdoor activities to addressing the cultural shifts impacting our connection to nature, they explore how to engage families, students, foster inclusivity, and embrace personal responsibility in the outdoor space. Yvonne’s 0-100mph journey from self defined city girl from Seattle, to outdoor advocate, offers personal inspiration and practical steps for reconnecting with the world beyond our screens. Treat yourself to this conversation- maybe while outside on a walk or hike.

Feel free to follow and engage with YVONNE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnetleow/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yvonneleow/
X: https://x.com/yvonneleow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Yvonne-Leow/
Website: https://www.yvonneleow.com
Business Website: https://www.bewilder.club
Medium: https://medium.com/@yvonneleow

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Are local independent pharmacies better than Big Corporate pharmacies? Have you ever thought about the amount of medications that go to waste every night at your pharmacy? Do you know how your prescription drugs make it to you? Or how your pharmacists make money? Or how your pharmacist is an entrepreneur! In the United States’ terribly fragmented, complicated healthcare system, pharmacies are often “the place” where we consumers meet our healthcare, so Rob and Amantha Bagdon, founder of RXPost, try to help you understand how it works and why they matter in your life and local economy.

She is on a mission to revolutionize pharmacy management through RxPost, and thus create better healthcare outcomes for patients, and better businesses for the entrepreneurial pharmacist owners. She shares the challenges pharmacies face, the crucial role of technology in healthcare’s future via companies like RxPost, and her own amazing journey from pharmacy technician to CEO/Founder of a startup. From inventory innovations to calls for transparency, this conversation uncovers the urgent need for reform and the irreplaceable role of community pharmacies as community health hubs and our personalized healthcare.

Feel free to follow and engage with Amantha here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthabagdon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthaduh/
X: https://x.com/Amanthaduh
Website: https://rx-post.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can you be a successful entrepreneur alone? Do you want to learn how the greatest founders in the world leverage their communities? In this episode, Rob is joined by his LA neighbor, Justin Gordon, Founder at Village Lane and Just Go Grind. The two talk about the importance of entrepreneurial experimentation, of his own creativity and about “Community”, the buzzy tech industry word, that everyone loves to talk about. He highlights the rapidly shifting landscape of entrepreneurship and how community and storytelling are reshaping the way founders and investors build and grow their businesses and their brands. In this conversation Justin shows himself to be a true entrepreneurial thinker, in how he makes decisions about his own career path, as well as his journey through Venture Capital and now Media. Discover practical strategies for creating supportive networks and navigating today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that you can apply to your work right after listening.

Feel free to follow and engage with JUSTIN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincharlesgordon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justingordon8/
X: https://x.com/justingordon212
Website: https://villagelane.io

Join Just Go Grind Podcast:

Website: https://www.justgogrind.com
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-go-grind/id1397036566
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2brgfQPQQiBiFlAI8sJblD
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@justingordon212?si=NFVLNNTy2FPEfpFc
X: https://x.com/justgogrind?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justgogrind/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/justgogrind/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you believe one person can make a difference? Do you understand what the “New Majority” economy or “Care Economy” are? Do you think we need more equitable economies and communities? Rob gets really fired up by this conversation with the unstoppable force that is Erika Lucas, a long time Economic Development leader, Investor and founder of Stitch Crew, Vest and Vest/Her from her great state of Oklahoma. They unpack the politics and policy of how our current economic inequities were created by systems and institutions over the last 45 years, and explore how Private Capital Investment and Venture capital done differently can drive real change for women and “new majority” entrepreneurs aross the country. From peer networks to policy reform, Erika shares her own inspiring story, and what it really takes to create lasting, inclusive economic growth and offers practical steps for entrepreneurs to leverage the power of their voice and their communities.

Feel free to follow and engage with ERIKA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7
Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/vesther_inc
Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/stitchcrew
Website: https://www.erikalucas.co
Business: https://www.vesther.co
Business: https://www.stitchcrew.com
Vest Her Podcast: https://www.erikalucas.co/podcast

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you ever think about the people who make the clothes you wear? Would you pay more, for better quality clothing that is made by better paid people? In this episode, Rob visits with a true South Central Los Angeles Hometown Hero, Guadalupe Tlatenchi, Founder and CEO of GTLA Apparel and the brand Loopé. They explore the history, opportunities and challenges of Los Angeles' garment and fashion industry. Guadalupe shares her unique insights into the realities faced by garment workers, the rise of sustainable practices, and her own amazing entrepreneurial journey as a young woman growing up here in LA—offering insights for those looking to build meaningful, ethical brands in a fast-paced, ever changing industry.

Feel free to follow and engage with GUADALUPE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guadalupe-tlatenchi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loop.de.lupe/
Business: https://www.gtlaapparel.com
Business: https://www.loopdelupe.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can non-salespeople become good salespeople? Can you succeed in growing your business without being good at selling? In this episode, Rob Ryan chats with Chris Stock, CEO of SalesMD, about how ethical sales practices are reshaping the nearly $20 billion a year medical wellness industry. They also discuss his early career at IBM, and how some historic sales best practices are just as applicable today. From big corporate sales, to traveling the world coaching big global brands and now to helping small businesses thrive in the MedSpa and Wellness industry, Chris dives into the importance of building relationships, overcoming sales challenges, and improving lead conversion rates for his clients. Tune in to share in Chris’s wisdom and his practical tips and career advice that every aspiring salesperson or entrepreneur can use.

Feel free to follow and engage with CHRIS here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisstockmba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salesmd/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBI8_smtB1_p9yHghoGiASg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesmdusa
Website: https://www.salesmd.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

How do you build non-traditional entrepreneurial communities? How do you make an impact in your community, regardless of your resources? Isn’t it a good idea for us to invest in more small businesses and less traditional entrepreneurs?

In this episode, Rob sits down with Marie Rocha, founder of Realist Ventures, from Stamford, Connecticut. Marie is a beacon for anyone trying to build an entrepreneurial economy in a secondary market, anywhere in the world. Her leadership in supporting under-supported entrepreneurs has gained her a national reputation and following. Marie helps us uncover the power of mentorship in her community-building, empathy, and the importance of leveraging real life data in supporting underrepresented founders everywhere. From the challenges in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial landscape, in the shadows of New York City, to the opportunities ahead, Marie shares her insights on applying her own entrepreneurial thinking to create more equitable opportunities through collaboration, mentorship, and customer connection.

Feel free to follow and engage with MARIE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marierocha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my.dailyposts/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyDailyPosts
Website: https://www.realistventures.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can investing in our Oceans save our Planet? Have you ever heard of the Blue Economy? Do you know how much of the carbon we create or heat we create, gets absorbed by the ocean? Have you ever seen the “Colossal Squid”?- because our guest is on a lifelong mission to find it and film it in it’s natural environment. The ocean covers 70% of the planet, but very little of our historic innovations in energy or technology comes from our Oceans. Matt Mulrennan, Director of Investments at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance and it’s sister Fund, Seabird Ventures joins Rob to go deep into the emerging field of ocean investing and how sustainable solutions are shaping the blue economy alongside our fast growing “Green Economy.”

Matt teaches a masterclass on some incredible data and history, of mammals, other ocean species, the importance of the ocean in our climate crisis, the massive value of the Ocean in our economy, and his own career arc from Expeditionary researcher to Ocean-Blue Economy investor. He tells a few stories of adventurous expeditions he’s led in marine preservation across some of the earths most remote places, such as Antarctica, while educating us on the ocean's role in climate regulation and food production. He teaches us that the ocean’s impact on our lives and our economies is massive, yet it's just beginning to be explored as an investment frontier. Discover the collaborative efforts driving this new economy and why Los Angeles, California may be its next hub.

Feel free to follow and engage with MATT here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mulrennan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mulrennan4/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.huelsenbeck/
Medium: https://medium.com/@matt.mulrennan
Website: https://www.kolossal.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you ever think about how your cup of coffee makes it into your hands? Can you imagine getting your product idea into the biggest retailers in the world? Or building a new product business in a market with 10’s of thousands of competitors? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Gefen Skolnick, founder of Couplet Coffee from here in Los Angeles, California, reveals how she’s rewriting the rules of the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) world with boldness, inclusivity, and authenticity. From navigating the challenges of scaling a brand, to staying true to its roots, Gefen shares the realities of building a coffee empire and offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs ready to blaze their own trail. Don’t miss this deep dive into diversity, creativity, reinvention, and what it takes to succeed in a really competitive industry.

Feel free to follow and engage with GEFEN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gefenskolnick/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gefensk/
Twitter: https://x.com/gefensk
Website: https://coupletcoffee.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can Venture Investment into more diverse founders, in more diverse neighborhoods yield better ROI? Can a Venture Firm become “the” community resource for entrepreneurs in a City? In this episode, Rob and Miki Reynolds sit down to explore and answer these questions! Miki is an incomparable Los Angeles entrepreneurial thinker, and now Head of Programs at Slauson & Co, which is a dynamic young and very intentionally inclusive venture firm based in LA. These two friends explore the urgent need for diversity in the startup world and how the industry continues to evolve. Miki highlights how important “the Company We Keep” is to the founder journey. From breaking barriers for underrepresented founders to reimagining venture capital, Miki shares actionable insights on building a more inclusive ecosystem. Plus, don’t miss the big, exciting announcement of Slauson & Co’s latest Fund and the return of their expanded accelerator, Family & Friends program!

Feel free to follow and engage with MIKI here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikireynolds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikster/?hl=es
X: https://x.com/mikster
Website: http://www.mikireynolds.com
Website: https://www.slauson.co

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Yes, we can… but the how, and how you fit in, will surprise you! Can conversations between people who disagree, shift the tide for our human survival on earth? In this episode, Rob sits down with Asher Jay, founder and CEO of Henoscene, to passionately explore the urgent and complex challenges of climate change and species extinction, including our human species. They discuss the realities of our lack of transparency socially, our own insecurities and our instinctive desire to only look out for our own narrow interests, even at the expense of our ability to survive. They dive into the critical role of personal responsibility, and the ethical use of technology in tackling these issues. Asher shares her belief in the power of open dialogue and simple actions to inspire collective change. Tune in for a really compelling discussion on hope, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of our world.

Feel free to follow and engage with ASHER here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asherjay/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthheiress/
X: https://x.com/earthheiress
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthHeiress/
Website: https://www.henoscene.com
Personal Website: http://www.asherjay.com/the-work

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Have you wondered if you or your company needs a “Chief of Staff?” Are you curious about what a great Chief of Staff really is? Melanie Jones, the CEO of the ArlanWasHere Company and Founder of “Elevation, Chief of Staff Training”, joins Rob to dive into her own curiosity and willingness to ask more questions, which has led her evolution as an “entrepreneurial thinker” throughout her career. She shares why she’s so motivated by aligned leadership, Diversity, Representation and different folks seeing themselves in leadership! Melanie shares stories of the amazing business she has helped Arlan Hamilton to build in the last few years, and very specifically teaches us about the evolving role of the chief of staff, emphasizing the importance of clarity and diversity of thought in business leadership. Plus, hear how her groundbreaking certification program is setting a new standard for aspiring operators.

Feel free to follow and engage with MELANIE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniejonestx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xomelaniejones/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xomelaniejones
Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/chiefofstafftraining/
Website: https://elevationchiefofstaff.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

How well would you do, if you got off a plane, in a Country you’d never been, with some cash in your pocket, no cultural context and no friends? Could you build a million dollar business in those conditions? Carol Shih, a Proud Taiwanese-Australian-American and successful founder of Qode Space, did exactly this! Carol is a literal “Amazing Woman in E-Commerce” award winner, in a field dominated by white men.

This episodic conversation with Rob reveals her deeply experienced insights on Asian entrepreneurial and family culture in the US and specifically, in Los Angeles, as well as the “moment” that Asian culture and products are having in a changing American market. They also dive into her personal immigration journey as a Taiwanese woman, moving to Los Angeles for University at age 19, then learning how to become the resilient, self sufficient woman, entrepreneur and mom that she is today!

Carol parlayed her global experiences at Alibaba, eventually leading her to build Qode Space, and become part of the Brand Agency, Major Futures, and it’s new extension, “Major Asians”, a network community empowering Asian entrepreneurs and business people. The two discuss the power of storytelling, the art of saying yes, and the crucial role of self-awareness in leadership. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how to thrive in tech and beyond.

Feel free to follow and engage with CAROL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shihcarol/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karolz/?hl=en
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@karolz
Website: https://qodespace.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

This week, we're turning the tables on Rob, for a special episode. In the Opening you’ll hear Rob mention private links & “investors only”, but be assured you are now allowed full access to this special conversation, which was originally only privately recorded. Rob is interviewed by Will Stringer, our Lead Investor, to discuss how easy it is to invest in Rob and his new media production company. You can listen here to learn more, and when curious, you can click this easy link to learn even more detail and invest from as little to $100 USD to as much as suits you:

https://wefunder.com/robryan1

Will and Rob discuss why he’s building this media production business.

Why he is making the capital raise available to everyone in his community.

Why Will wrote the first check to invest into Rob and his vision.

What our initial media products are, how the business makes money, and how you get your invested monies returned plus share in future equity growth and upside for the long term and finally, how simple it is, for you to literally invest online, via our WeFunder campaign.

You can now invest alongside Rob, Will and everyone else into this exciting new media company and you’ll get a voice in shaping the next decade plus of great human entrepreneurial storytelling, in your community and beyond!

https://wefunder.com/robryan1

If you have more questions, or want to talk directly with either Rob or Will, you can reach out to them via email:

Rob Ryan: robryan@storytellerscompany.com
Will Stringer: will@inspirr.io or will@chisos.io

SPECIAL EPISODE 128 LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

We are 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Do you struggle to share your message clearly? Do you wonder how we tackle society’s most complex communication problems? Michelle O'Grady Caballero, founder and CEO of Team Friday, joins Rob on this episode to unpack these questions and many more. She shares how innovative storytelling and diverse perspectives can revolutionize marketing and communications, while shaping public policy in the 21st century. The two explore how Team Friday crafts cross-cultural campaigns for clients ranging from corporate giants like Whole Foods to massive government agencies like the City of Los Angeles, to community-focused organizations like The California Endowment and others. Learn the secrets behind creating genuine connections with communities and the impact of inclusive storytelling on community engagement. Michelle shares invaluable insights into how brands can not only resonate with diverse communities but also drive sustainable change. Tune in to explore how curiosity and collaboration can unlock new possibilities across industries and make a real difference.

Feel free to follow and engage with MICHELLE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleogrady
Website: https://www.teamfriday.la/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

How did a casual breakfast meet-up transform into a thriving tech community? How did a junior lawyer become the King of Early Morning technology industry networking? After all wouldn’t you rather meet with great like minded people to start your day than at booze fueled happy hours?

In this episode, Rob and Morgan Barrett dive into the origins of the Tech Breakfast Club, from its humble beginnings, inspired by a summer in LA, to its expansion into major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and beyond. Morgan also shares his journey into the tech startup world, discusses common legal hurdles founders face, and explores the shifting landscape of venture capital. Plus, get insider tips on setting up your startup and why giving back is crucial for entrepreneurial success. Don’t miss this enlightening fun conversation packed with actionable insights! 🚀✨

Feel free to follow and engage with MORGAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-barrett-039b3613b/
X: https://x.com/MorganBarrettX
Website: https://techbreakfastclub.beehiiv.com
Website: https://www.optimalcounsel.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Adela encourages us all to bet on what we want the future to look like! She reminds us that exponential change is sometimes as simple as inviting one more friend along the way, and she forces us to explore the reality that thinking differently is the most obvious key to unlocking great investment returns, not groupthink.

In this really thought-provoking episode, Rob and Adela Jamal, Managing Partner at MileMark Capital, dig deep into the crucial role of diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial economy, in Los Angeles, and globally. Adela brings every bit of her own diverse life experience and cultural perspective, to the pursuit of sustained change in the Venture industry and Entrepreneurial Economy.

Together they explore the pressing need for more women and women of color in investment capital and leadership roles, highlighting how diverse teams drive innovation and yield greater returns. Adela shares tactical steps to address investment inequities, such as increasing female fund managers and creating mentorship opportunities. With insights from MileMark Capital, a venture capital firm rooted in the MIT ecosystem, this conversation sheds light on the power of capital allocation to solve real-world problems and disrupt sectors like health tech, ag tech, and biomaterials. Tune in to hear Adela's inspiring journey and her work with All Raise, an organization supporting female and non-binary funders and founders, as she provides actionable advice for breaking into venture capital.

Feel free to follow and engage with ADELA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelajamal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adela.jamal
X: https://twitter.com/adelajamal
Website: https://www.milemark.capital

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Can you learn how to be a better leader? Hint; Yes, you can! Is it time for an entirely new leadership paradigm? Are new women leaders, leading the NWSL and WNBA to a period of historic and sustained growth?

In this episode, Rob sits down with the incomparable Robyn Ward, from here in Los Angeles, for a super joyful conversation, and they deeply and widely explore the transformative power of conscious leadership frameworks. They delve into the evolution from traditional management styles to a more present and flexible approach, highlighting the importance of somatic intelligence and the eight C's framework. Robyn shares her journey from proudly growing up in Indiana, to Los Angeles, her life as a Mom, entrepreneur, venture capitalist and now leadership coach. She shares the inside story of becoming a key relationship catalyst and investor in the Angel City Football Club, and her unique insights into the rise of women's sports in the NWSL and WNBA and their impact on business and community engagement beyond the game.

This conversation uncovers the significance of representation, the need for diversity in technology and entrepreneurship, and the profound influence of parenthood on personal growth and leadership. Join us for a compelling discussion that bridges business, sports, and personal transformation.

Sign Up to Her Newsletter Here: http://founderforward.com/newsletter-signup

Feel free to follow and engage with ROBYN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmward/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynmward?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Website: https://www.robynmward.com
Website: https://founderforward.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/founderforward/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Will a Circular clothing industry save the planet? (and fuel our economies) Can we change consumer behaviors to create an easier, less expensive and more environmentally sustainable life for families and the planet? Well, Lauren Gregor, founder and CEO of Rent-a-Romper, believes so, and joins us to answer those questions. She shares her fierce competitive spirit and love for her member community. Lauren gives us insight into her broader perspectives on her career interests-education and logistics… plus her uniquely inspiring leap from teaching in the Bronx, to public policy advisor in the 2nd largest Public School district in the US, in Los Angeles, to now leading an eco-friendly circular clothing revolution. Discover the obvious genius behind renting children’s clothes, slashing waste, and saving money, all while fostering a supportive, sustainable community of families. Better understand the world of circular fashion and its ripple effects on our environment, economy, and the way we raise our kids. This episode is a fresh take on fashion that's as kind to your wallet as it is to the Earth!

Feel free to follow and engage with LAUREN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengregor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengregor/
Website: https://rentaromper.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Are you curious how to build a socially responsible, sustainable food company- and expand it globally?! Have you ever wondered how to take locally farmed, healthy, cocoa from Colombia to Spain to Iceland and beyond? Well, our Guest Juan Carlos Garavito, tells us how he’s reinventing the entire supply chain and business model of cocoa and chocolate production. Dive into this fascinating conversation with Juan Carlos, the visionary co-founder of Moxe Foods, and Rob on their late-night conversation between Madrid, Spain and Los Angeles.

In this episode, we also explore comparisons of the European and Latin American entrepreneurial economies, navigating the challenges of the food industry, harnessing the cultural significance of chocolate, and Juan’s own personal journey as an entrepreneurial thinker. Learn the importance of social responsibility, and the power of adapting to a changing world.

Feel free to follow and engage with JUAN CARLOS here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juancgaravito/
X: https://x.com/garavito_jc?lang=en
Website: https://moxefoods.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Hint- the Latino Restaurant & Hospitality economy is huge, and it touches every aspect of your daily life. Your favorite local Mexican restaurant is one part of a nearly 4 trillion dollar latino economy in the USA. Latino entrepreneur led businesses are the fastest growing segment of the American economy compared to their peers. As CEO of the Latino Restaurant Association, Lilly’s passionate, determined leadership style embodies the importance of Diversity, Representation and empowering the next generation. Dive into this captivating conversation with Lilly and Rob, as they explore not only the challenges and opportunities in the Restaurant and Hospitality industry, but also what drives Lilly’s own journey as she moves through life’s chapters.In this episode, Lilly shares her own entrepreneurial and successful corporate journey as well as her insights on the economic significance of Latino-owned restaurants and the crucial role of the Latino labor force in the hospitality industry. Explore the unique challenges faced by Latino entrepreneurs, the transformative impact of technology and robotics on the food industry, and the exciting evolution of the Food Industry. From personal anecdotes to community involvement and the importance of diversity and inclusivity, this conversation offers a comprehensive look at sustainable growth and the future of experiential dining in the culinary world.Feel free to follow and engage with LILLY here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilly-rocha-cmp-cmm-53914124 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelillyrocca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thelillyrocca Website: https://latinorestaurantassociation.orgWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

Rob explores his Hometown through the eyes of the City’s leading GenZ relationship capitalist! The Nation’s original “Second City” is reasserting itself for the 21st Century. In this insightful episode, Rob and Claude dive deep into Chicago's entrepreneurial economy, it’s leaders, the transformative influence of the economic catalyst organization P33 Chicago, and the amazing origin story of Tech Chicago Week. Discover how P33 Chicago is reshaping the city's tech ecosystem, investing in diverse founders, and fostering genuine relationships. Claude shares his own inspiring personal and professional journey and unveils the insights and people behind building a thriving community and economy. We explore the power of political support, the importance of understanding the human aspect of relationship building, and the vision propelling Chicago to the forefront of tech innovation.

Feel free to follow and engage with CLAUDE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claude-cimeus-37550874/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudecimeus/
X: https://x.com/ClaudeCimeus
Website: https://p33chicago.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In 2024 Entrepreneurs & Elite Athletes are more similar than ever. Entrepreneurial Thinking, Storytelling and Community Building are transforming the world of participatory sports. Peter Abraham, president of Abraham Content Marketing Studio, joins Rob, to uncover the keys behind building powerful personal brands and communities in the sports industry. They delve into the transformational power of sports, the rise of storytelling and entrepreneurial thinking, and the challenges and opportunities athletes face in building their personal brands. The discussion explores the role and best practices of storytelling in marketing and the impact of digital platforms on content creation.

Using Peter’s adventurous backstory from Vermont to Chamonix France to his prolific life and career in Los Angeles as a foundation, the two discuss some of the great individual athletes, brands and communities emerging right now, like Justin Williams, Hoka, Tom & Steuart Walton’s Bicycling investments in Bentonville Arkansas as well as the emergence of new sports like “gravel racing.” Peter emphasizes the importance of building community and creating memorable experiences in sports and entrepreneurship for Big Corporate brands and athletes alike. He highlights the power of bringing people together in real life and the profound impact this can have on brand engagement and loyalty.

Feel free to follow and engage with PETER here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterabraham2/
X: https://twitter.com/PeterAbraham
Website: https://abrhm.com
Medium Profile: https://peterabraham.medium.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Art is like Breathing Air! From Black Wall Street to Wall Street to a Harlem Artist's studio, a creative life view explored. In this compelling, very personal episode, Rob interviews the dynamic young entrepreneurial artist, Robert L. Newman III. He is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist who shares his views on how creativity fuels both art and entrepreneurship. We dive into unique Robert's personal journey, his expressions around the periods of “Reconstruction” in the American South, and his own life inspired by his grandmother's entrepreneurial spirit. We discover how artistic creativity can transform communities, drive economic growth, and enrich lives. From the power of asking beautiful questions to the critical role of mentorship, we explore how art transcends traditional mediums to become a vital force in business and society, fostering creativity that can build resilient and vibrant communities and leaders.

Feel free to follow and engage with ROBERT here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnewmaniii/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rxbart
X: https://twitter.com/robnewmaniii
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rxbart
Website: https://www.rxbart.com

Organizations Mentioned:

Americans for the Arts: https://www.americansforthearts.org/
Broadway Foundation: https://www.broadwayfoundation.org/
Artfully Walls Gallery: https://www.artfullywalls.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Multicultural Marketing is today’s marketing- is your Brand ready? It’s a missed opportunity if you’re not understanding your whole community. Mario is an expert here to help you understand this, as his firm does for many of the world’s biggest brands and organizations. He’s a proud resident and community leader in Los Angeles (shoutout- San Fernando Valley!) and is the visionary founder of Think Now, a leading cultural insights agency.

Learn how companies like Target and the NFL succeed through authenticity, consistency, and diversity, and why your organization needs to prioritize these values. Discover why understanding and embracing the multicultural economy is not just a trend but a business imperative. Mario shares the pivotal role of leadership in driving successful multicultural initiatives and offers a glimpse into the future of this dynamic field. With clients ranging from major corporations to governments, Think Now's expertise is your key to connecting with diverse consumers. Tune in to hear Mario's story of unintended entrepreneurship, as well as insights on leveraging technology, understanding audience targeting, and the vital importance of authentic connections in the evolving landscape of multicultural marketing.

Feel free to follow and engage with MARIO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioxcarrasco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mxcarrasco/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mxcarrasco
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iSIVrpcCxZWqwG5WvnZ12?si=6677125927ff4524
Podcast Website: http://www.newmainstreampodcast.com
Website: https://thinknow.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Immigrants made America great, that’s the beauty of us. But can America succeed without welcoming and investing in it’s newest immigrants? In this really personal episode, Rob interviews a deeply proud 1st Gen Dominican-Ecuadorian American, New Yorker-turned-Bay Area transplant, Pedro Crespo, a young venture capitalist and investment manager with a chip on his shoulder. He shares his inspiring journey from aspiring lawyer to successful entrepreneur and VC. Pedro delves into the challenges of being from an immigrant family, being an underrepresented founder and the critical need for entrepreneurial thinking around diversity in tech, and the power of finding supportive communities and bringing the next generation along with you!

He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his role at CoreNest Capital, where he champions early-stage founders with experience building and the firms investment thesis. Join us as we explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, diversity, and venture capital, and discover how relationship-building and seeking help can foster a more inclusive and thriving industry.

Feel free to follow and engage with PEDRO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcrespo1/
Twitter-X: https://x.com/PedroICrespo
Website: https://corenest.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Can you build a career on Relationships and Positive energy? What drives a person to become a champion for underrepresented voices in the startup world?

Our guest, Erika Bricky, epitomizes the life of an entrepreneurial thinker and the future of relationships first leadership at her young age. She’s an angel investor and Relationship Capitalist, who shares stories about the inspiration she finds in watching others chase their dreams. Erika, a relationship professional at Arc, the startup bank, discusses the importance of being a chief encourager, advocating for underrepresented groups, and her own investment thesis focused on making a positive impact. She highlights the need for access and equity for women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and founders of color, and shares her insights on the transformative role of AI and the future of capital deployment. Don't miss this positively energized and insightful conversation with a true champion of inclusivity and innovation.

Feel free to follow and engage with ERIKA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikabricky/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brickywhat/
X: https://twitter.com/brickywhat
Website: https://www.joinarc.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Can a VC create as much investor talent as it does returns? Can you make as much money as you do create generational impact?

Greg shares his unique insights from his experience building AVP Ventures, in Peru, highlighting the importance of local solutions and diverse founding teams in driving success. Discover the keys to thriving in Peru's startup ecosystem and gain valuable advice for aspiring venture capitalists everywhere. Dive into the heart of Latin American innovation with this captivating discussion with one of its established leaders!

Please follow and engage with GREG here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpmitchell/
Website: https://avpventures.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Rob and Isabelle, settle the ages old debate about the value of Universities in fostering entrepreneurship! They ask can Universities adapt and evolve to serve their customers? Isabelle is a long time entrepreneurial thinker, ecosystem builder across Southern California, University teacher, while also being a sought after coach/mentor and advisor to tech startups and traditional businesses across the private sector. Through her own compelling personal story of resilience, personal and professional growth over the last twenty years, Isabelle unveils the transformative power of personal adversity in fostering innovation. From breaking away from societal expectations to reshaping the landscape of university education, Isabelle advocates for a holistic approach that blends curiosity, proactivity, and problem-solving skills. Join us as we explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, social impact, and personal growth, guided by Isabelle's invaluable insights and unwavering passion for creating positive change.

Feel free to follow and engage with ISABELLE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabellebart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactinnovator/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabelle.bart.908/
Website: https://impactinnovator.co/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind the entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Did swiping right or left cause our epidemic of loneliness? Can dating companies get us out of it? Rob explores authentic human connections with Sam Karshenboym, COO at the Lox Club. They discuss Lox Club's mission to combat loneliness by fostering genuine relationships through better online dating, niche communities and curated IRL events.

Sam highlights the importance of empathy and inclusivity in building a thriving community or company, emphasizing the value of authenticity in a digital age. They also explore the future of dating apps, focusing on the potential of IRL programming and personalized matchmaking to enhance the dating experience. Through Sam's insights, viewers gain a new perspective on the power of personal individuality, valuing others unique identities and the power of human connection in an increasingly virtual world.

Feel free to follow and engage with SAM here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-karshenboym-b4b4324a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skarsh/?hl=en
X: https://twitter.com/karshenboym
Website: https://theorg.com/org/the-lox-club/org-chart/sam-karshenboym

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Tune in to the Entrepreneurial Thinkers podcast for inspiring stories, valuable insights, and empowering knowledge from entrepreneurial thinkers around the world. Join Rob Ryan as he dives into exploring the need for more entrepreneurial minds in every sector of society. With each episode, discover stories that inspire, knowledge that educates, and resources that empower, all aimed at leaving the world a little better than we found it.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Can the Venture industry thrive without it’s Platform business side? Is the Platform side of Venture Capital what really generates ROI for Investors? Join Rob and Cuco Vega, Head of Platform at LEAP Global Partners, as we delve into the depths of entrepreneurial thinking in the venture capital industry’s new world of “Platform” and support services. In this episode, we uncover the transformative power of platforms in the VC landscape and explain what it is, and where and when it emerged. From disrupting the status quo to leveraging AI for smarter investments, Cuco unravels the intricacies of the platform side of venture capital through his personal anecdotes and experiences on both sides of the table. Step into the future of investment, where creativity meets strategy, and relationships build ecosystems.

Feel free to follow and engage with CUCO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cucovega/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cucovega/
X: https://twitter.com/cucovega
Website: http://www.leapglobalpartners.com

Links mentioned in the episode:

https://soyouwanttoworkinplatform.beehiiv.com/
https://confluencevc-jobs.pallet.com/talent/
https://www.vcplatform.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Is Mexico leaping ahead of history by electing it’s first Female President this summer? Is History repeating itself, or are we making real political progress in Mexico? If you are curious about our North American neighbors, the 12th largest economy in the world, or cross-border economic and cultural realities, please step into the heart of Mexican politics via this deep dive conversation with Publisher of The Mexican Political Economist newsletter, Alex Gonzalez Ormerod, as we unravel the unprecedented emergence of women in key political roles. Alex brings his long and specific experiences as an editorial journalist, political writer and researcher, living in Mexico City, to Rob and his analysis of the historic election that is paving the way for Mexico's first woman president. They examine the role innovative or entrepreneurial thinking plays within the intricate power dynamics of Mexico’s political parties. From activism to challenging the status quo, we examine the journey towards gender equality amidst the backdrop of social issues like femicide, corruption and economic inequality. Join us as we navigate the landscape of Mexican politics, exploring the strides made, the hurdles faced, and the potential for transformative change in one of the Americas regions biggest and most important nations. If you loved Alex’s insights, we encourage you to follow and engage with ALEX here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-gonzález-ormerod-681433b2/?originalSubdomain=mx TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgonzor?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc X: https://twitter.com/alexgonzor?lang=en Website: https://open.substack.com/pub/mxpolec?r=ytty&utm_medium=ios Website: https://restofworld.org/author/alex-gonzalez-ormerod/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, citizens and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, we answer this question! Rob is joined, from Madrid, Spain, by the Deputy Editor of Opinion at El Pais, Pablo Ximenez de Sandoval. El Pais is the largest Spanish language news media company in the world, also known as the “paper of record” for the Spanish speaking world, much the same way that the New York Times company is to the USA. Together they explore and dissect the media industry's evolution over the last 30 years, particularly delving into the fate of print and traditional media, the effect of “internet business models” and what the next 30 years holds.

Pablo brings his years of covering politics, industry and culture in California, for El Pais, as well as his decades as an on the ground reporter and journalist, to this conversation among friends, which highlights the necessity for media organizations to adapt and refocus on customer needs and their value propositions amidst changing consumption patterns. They explore the rise of independent journalists alongside traditional media entities, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial spirit.

The episode concludes with practical advice for journalists and media owners on thriving in the dynamic landscape, underscoring the enduring value of impactful journalism in today's society.

Feel free to follow and engage with PABLO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-ximénez-de-sandoval-0a180325/?originalSubdomain=es
X: https://twitter.com/pximenez?lang=es
Website: https://elpais.com/autor/pablo-ximenez-de-sandoval/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

The one and only "NetWorthNurse," Savannah Arroyo, Founder of Willow Investment Group and emerging fintech, InvestHealth, and accomplished Speaker and Author of "Passive Profits" on the topics of Real Estate Investing to create time-freedom, financial flexibility and wealth, joins our show.

In this episode, Savannah explores the forefront of empowering healthcare professionals to seize their own financial independence through Real Estate Investing. Together they delve into Savannah's captivating narrative as she shares invaluable lessons gleaned from her journey, offering a beacon of hope and inspiration for healthcare professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

This episode quickly becomes a fast paced mini-masterclass on the "How To" and the "Whys" of Real Estate Investing for everyone and anyone, with practical steps, lessons and opportunities. She is a master teacher on the ins and outs of how any of us can invest in real estate, and we're inspired through the transformational success that she and her husband have created in their own lives in just the last three years.

For any industrious and aspirational mom, or parent, she also explores her profound insights into overcoming obstacles, mastering life's delicate balance, and igniting empowerment among fellow healthcare professionals.

Join us for a transformative exploration into the realm of financial freedom! Feel free to follow and engage with SAVANNAH here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannah-arroyo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenetworthnurse
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Networth-Nurse/100063703982493/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSMGXN4R
Website: https://networthnurse.co
https://a.co/d/fSfNBiV (The Mom Test Book)

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe and share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

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Join us as we dive into AI policy, governance and regulatory considerations for founders, investors and policymakers! We talk all things AI governance, plus highlight some tips and best practices for Founder, Investors and PolicyMakers, plus we explore unique cross-border legal intricacies from Juan's experience fostering growth between the US and Mexico. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with a leader at the forefront of law and technology!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Juan Conde, Founding Partner, at Mexican firm, Novus Concilium. He’s a legal powerhouse, technologist and proud graduate of UC Berkeley Law School. Juan brings 13+ years of experience, specializing in corporate law, Intellectual Property and data protection for technology and high growth companies.

Book Code by By Lawrence Lessig : https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lawrence-lessig/code/9780786721962/?lens=basic-books

Barry Diller Interview with Kara Swisher: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1E5LIxpbr0QO4sc7oVMpbC?si=f8CDbJIZTlu-XVzTOp1rlQ

Feel free to follow and engage with JUAN CONDE here:

Web Page: https://www.lawyercount.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyercount/
X: https://twitter.com/LawyerCount
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyer_count/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.

As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

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Welcome to "Entrepreneurial Thinkers" with Rob Ryan! 🎙️ Join us as we unveil our rebranded show, sharing the journey behind the transformation and our mission to spotlight innovative minds shaping diverse sectors worldwide. Subscribe and stay tuned for inspiring conversations and enriching insights every week!

EntrepreneurialThinkers

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While we gear up for the exciting relaunch of our show next week, we're treating you to unique episodes created by some of our incredible alumni guests. This time, we're shining the spotlight on Sabrina Castelli, our talented Argentine friend featured in Episode 40 on July 1, 2022, titled "The Spotify of Women’s Finance, Born in South America."

Sabrina, a powerhouse entrepreneur from Latin America and co-founder of Mujer Financiera, one of the region's fastest-growing personal finance brands, is here to share her insights. Through her podcast and community work, she empowers women across Latin America to take control of their finances and lives.

Your ongoing support in our entrepreneurial community means the world to us. Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe, and share our show. Stay tuned for exciting updates right here or follow us on social media. Cheers to all you Entrepreneurial Thinkers!

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This month, we're spicing up our podcast with a special treat! 🌟 Our Hollywood friend, Natasha Chandel, is taking over with her top-ranked podcast "Kinda Dating." Tune in for her episode on "Managing your Emotions" – it's informative, funny, and a wild ride you don't want to miss! 🎉

Natasha, the comedy powerhouse and Dating Coach, spills the beans on her journey from Mumbai to LA. Your support means everything to us, so hit like, follow, subscribe, and share the entrepreneurial love. Stay tuned for more upgrades – cheers to all you Entrepreneurial Thinkers! 🥂🚀

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As we remodel and rebrand our podcast this month, we're bringing some fun outside shows, created by our guest alumni, into your feed. In this special episode, Rob is interviewed by Jeffrey Potvin from the Open People's Network in Toronto, Canada. Jeffrey, a past guest on episode 71 of Mentors Today, turns the tables by hosting Rob on his show, "Impact Investing by the Supporters Fund."

Jeffrey interviewed Rob back in November, offering listeners a chance to hear Rob's story and insights on entrepreneurship, relationships, and life. As we build our new media company to showcase more of both guest stories and Rob's life experiences, we invite you to enjoy this rare chance to get to know Rob better.

Your continued support means everything to us, so please remember to like, follow, subscribe, and share the show. Stay tuned for our upcoming improvements right here where you’re already subscribed or follow us. Cheers to all you Entrepreneurial Thinkers!

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In this episode, Rob and Courtney explore the similarities between traditional “entrepreneurs” and the entrepreneurial life of a successful Singer/Songwriter. Courtney’s musical journey began as a child in her Church and musical theater in school, in New Orleans area where she grew up, then exploded during her years in Nashville, America’s heart of Country music. She put in the work, studying Music at Belmont University, and rose within the industry via an internship with a startup record label, learning the entirety of the business, writing her own songs and building key relationships. Her star shone brightly as she toured the United States, with icons like Miranda Lambert and Kane Brown and her audience grew through her live appearances and streaming on Spotify.

But it was while playing the Main Stage at Stagecoach Festival in Southern California, broke and struggling emotionally, that she realized she wasn’t living the life she aspired to and needed to make some big changes- She did just that, moving to Los Angeles, teaching herself to Paddle Board and overcoming a personal fear, reconnecting with her love for Yoga, building new relationships and creating a more authentic life. Her transformation eventually led to her successful EP, “Earthquake” in 2020, which tells her own story of transition and growth. She encourages listeners to follow what brings them joy rather than societal expectations and to listen to our hearts in order to “Get out of our Way.”

Feel free to follow and engage with COURTNEY here:

Official Web Page: https://www.courtneycolemusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecourtneycole
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16K3uNOhyu14NcyCx63D4L?si=wEXfiwZzT3WGRKBnKU1l_Q&nd=1&dlsi=7654ffb53ff743ee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/courtneycolemusic
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/earthquake-ep/1524775339

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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Join Rob in this special Year End Review episode in which he highlights the milestone of our 100th Episode and looks eagerly forward into 2024, an exciting year to come which will see a rebranding and strengthening of the show that you’ve come to love. Rob shares our gratitude for you, our Audience, for the incredible community of Guests who’ve humbly shared their inspiring stories and business and life lessons with us over the last 3.5 years and for the team that take such great care to create this show for you every week.

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“One young woman of color can affect change in 5 generations of her family by deciding to go through our program.” In this energizing episode, Rob is joined by Loretta Williams Gurnell—an educator, former professional basketball player and Founder behind the SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation, a Houston, Texas based STEM mentorship program for young women of color. You’ll want to hear about her vision for transforming young woman, and corporate workforces by mentoring young women to pursue education and careers in STEM. With her background as a Research Scientist in the Biological Sciences and a Master’s in Education, she is not just a leader in her field but she’s a leader by example, within her community.

Rob explores Loretta’s own inspired story from Ohio to Texas, her family and her keys to unlocking any girl's full potential. From diversity and equity in STEM to powerful leadership strategies, business development, and impactful mentorship, this episode covers it all. Tune in and be part of a transformative journey that goes beyond STEM and business—it's about building a future where every girl feels like a superhero.

Feel free to follow and engage with LORETTA and the SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-williams-gurnell-a6811535/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorettawilliamsgurnell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorettaWilliamsGurnell1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gapmngtgroup?lang=en
Website: https://supergirlsshine.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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Rob is joined by the remarkably energetic Mica Le John, an entrepreneurial thinker at the intersection of identity, culture and technology. The conversation dives immediately into how we gain and share knowledge around Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality and Ability lenses with young people. Mica proudly continues a global multicultural legacy of incredibly strong women in their family, and brings a level of thoughtfulness and insight borne of their own life experiences plus their progressive liberal arts education at NYC’s New School.

Mica's story paints a vivid picture of their multifaceted creative identity in the Arts, Acting, a family of musicians and now as a millennial entrepreneurial bridge builder. As an executive leader with the Irregular Hours company now, and formerly a Co-Founder of Idoru, a creative tech company that merged identity and culture, Chair of the Board of Directors at viBe Theater Experience, co-creator of the "Collective Media" community, and a delegate to the C100 Canadian entrepreneurship mission, Mica's energy resonates across a range of communities.

Rob and Mica’s natural rapport creates a fascinating exploration between new friends about some really important sociocultural ideas in today’s world. Don't miss out!

Feel free to follow and engage with MICA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micalejohn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micalejohn/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/micalejohn_?lang=en
Notion Website: https://micalejohn.notion.site/Hi-I-m-Mica-6e145d9670f241fd88859de53eb6504d

IRREGULAR HOURS QUIZ: https://www.irregularhours.com/archetypes

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by Jean Michel Habineza, Founder/CEO of iDebate Rwanda, who is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and peace-building through meaningful dialogue. His motivation and life experience was shaped by the infamous Rwandan Genocide which unfolded during his childhood. Jean Michel's impactful journey proves that not all entrepreneurs have to build billion dollar “unicorns” to succeed or make an impact. We explore his work as an “entrepreneurial thinker” and “social entrepreneur” as CEO/Founder of this fast growing, scaled up Non-Profit organization. From co-founding 'Peace and Love Proclaimers: Youth for a Change' as a High School teen to spearhead initiatives for unity in Rwanda's Post-Genocide Generation and later founding iDebate Rwanda, his journey has always challenged conventional wisdom.

He is an accomplished debater, public speaker, and advocate for a more creative, entrepreneurial use of “Education” as a Catalyst for Change and the development of future leaders, which has been a thematic foundation of his life’s work. The interview's key takeaways revolved around Jean Michel's leadership philosophies, the importance of mentorship and the role of conversations to build the better world we desperately need. Join Rob and Jean Michel in this thought-provoking episode.

Feel free to follow and engage with JEAN MICHEL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-michel-habineza-653b2632/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabuba2604/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmichel.habineza/
Website: https://www.debaterwanda.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by Cristian Lara, an unintentional entrepreneur, with no resources and now a dynamic young leader in the field of sustainability and recycling in Chile, now Mexico and across Latin America. His “aha” moment hit while playing a match of futbol with friends at university one night, and began his rise to prominence. His inspiring story emerges from his unconventional origins from a working class family, and later dropping out of University to pursue his dreams! As the CEO and Founder of Reciclapp, Cristian has played a pivotal role in building the largest recycling community in the region, dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Cristian shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and that of Reciclapp, innovations in sustainability, the environmental impact of recycling, sustainable entrepreneurship, and future vision and sustainability goals.

One of the key takeaways from the interview was Cristian's emphasis on trust as the cornerstone of the recycling industry. Cristian believes that building trust is essential for people to genuinely engage individually, as well as strategic corporate partners. He also highlighted the importance of valuing the "green" movement today, as what may seem like a voluntary act now could soon become a mandatory obligation in the future. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on sustainability, recycling, and the future of environmental responsibility across Latin America from one of the region’s young leaders.

Feel free to follow and engage with CRISTIAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristianlara23/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristianaarturo?igshid=MXExdzRtMzlxamRmZg%3D%3D
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CristianLara23
Website: https://somosreciclapp.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

Every once in a while we believe we need to slow down, sit with friends, and have long, wide ranging conversations. This episode with Rob and Jessica O'Leary, is that cross generational conversation; we discuss politics, parents, science, immigration, the last 100 years and the next 50 years of innovation as a species. Rob shares advice and perspective shaped by Jessica’s own heartfelt stories and she shares inspiring simple wisdom and advice for young peers of hers. She is a former athlete, coach, and writer with a diverse career background in Community, Strategy, and Corporate Development. Professionally, as the VP of Corporate Development at Issuance in Los Angeles, she played an important role in guiding the company through a successful Series A funding round. Jessica's expertise extends to branding and strategy, gained through her experiences at Midas Brands, Inc in Austin, Texas.

During the interview, we delve into Jessica's fascinating journey from Ireland to the USA, exploring the intersections of her career and personal life and her millennial perspective, shaped by her extensive travels since childhood. This episode promises a blend of inspiration and practical wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone who loves great human conversations.

Feel free to follow and engage with JESSICA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-jessicaoleary/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaaoleary/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmafia?lang=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@schmafia
Website: https://schmafia.beehiiv.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob is joined by Sofia Haq, an aspiring millennial Investor, and a true Southern Californian whose life is a unique tapestry of multicultural experiences. Born to a Pakistani father, from Lahore, and Mexican mother, from Leon, who met in Downtown LA, Sofia is a proud 1st Gen advocate for those whose voices need to be heard. She is the Founder and CEO of Muslim Women Professionals (MWP), a community centered resource for Muslim women globally, and presently a Fellow at Included VC and a Venture Partner at Republic. She's a passionate advocate for diversity, for under-represented communities and for broader inclusion in the venture capital industry.

Throughout the interview, Sofia and Rob delve into essential topics of the day such as Venture Capital and Diversity, the impactful initiatives of MWP’s work for young Muslim women across the world, the intersectionality of advocacy, community building, and leadership. This episode is a compelling exploration of how diversity drives success and how Los Angeles serves as an inspiring market for diverse innovators!

Feel free to follow and engage with SOFIA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiahaq/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofia__haq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sofia__haq?lang=en
Website: https://www.muslimwomenprofessionals.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob is joined by Ali Jamal, one of the most plugged-in young seed stage investors in Latin America’s entrepreneurial economy! He is a seasoned corporate guy turned investor, built upon his upbringing in small-town Minnesota, to his studies at Stanford and then working at some of the world’s fastest growing companies around the world. His story is a classic one of self discovery, from small town Minnesota to his life today in Latin America at First Check Ventures. He tells entrepreneurs- “Raise less, build more.”

Ali's professional path criss-crossed Mergers and Acquisitions, Data Science and Product Management, where he honed his skills and perspective. Over the last decade, he has held various roles at big growth companies such as Zynga, RockYou, Agoda, Rappi, and Clip, one of Latin America's fastest-growing FinTech companies. His extensive experience in consumer-facing companies has allowed him to become a thought leader in the evolving landscape of the industry. As the founding partner of First Check Ventures, Ali plays a crucial role in nurturing and supporting early-stage startups and budding entrepreneurs.

This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in the dynamic world of Latin America, technology and startups. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Ali Jamal, a true bridge builder.

Feel free to follow and engage with ALI JAMAL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralijamal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrAliJamal

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mralijamal?lang=ms-MY

Website: https://www.firstcheckventures.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by Kennith Burks, CEO/Founder at CarKenny, an aspiring builder in the world of mobility and ai based telematics software. Kennith’s entrepreneurial story takes us from hustling at the Corner Store in Newark, New Jersey as a kid, where he watched too many friends go to jail for stealing cars, to Corporate roles at Bridgestone, Hyundai, then his MBA at Pepperdine University and eventually life here in Southern California. He’s a bright, big hearted founder who wants to build for others beyond himself and he is a great personality to follow on social media and, as you'll hear in this episode.

His startup company, CarKenny, was born out of the hassle of disputing a speeding ticket due to a lack of proof of his actual speed, so Kennith harnessed the power of AI to aggregate automative data so none of us have to suffer such inefficiencies of our own true data history. Today, CarKenny supports data from 33 automotive brands, spanning over 153 million vehicles, ensuring that countless drivers have the security and peace of mind they deserve.

The conversation touches on transit in LA and NYC, mobility, personal resilience and self belief. You won’t want to miss it.

Feel free to follow and engage with KENNITH here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennithburks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burkskk01/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/burkskk01?lang=en
Website: https://carkenny.com
Website Linktree: https://linktr.ee/carkennyinc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=6ff3ac7a-1469-43cd-b6ad-87d74a5fb167

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by the force of nature that is Trish Halamandaris, a name synonymous with innovation, strategy, and success here in Los Angeles. She’s true Angeleno and Proud Californian! The two talk about her passion for Los Angeles, for UCLA and for life and curiosity! As the Director of the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Trish has been instrumental in shaping the startup landscape in Los Angeles and beyond in the last decade. Her remarkable career efforts helped generate over $1 billion in sales at dominating consumer companies like Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, Electronic Arts, Procter & Gamble, and XPRIZE and her impact extends far beyond her impressive career, making this a must-listen interview.

One of the highlights of the interview is understanding Trish's unwavering passion for change and her relentless curiosity to explore new ways of doing and improving things. Rob and Trish delve into a variety of topics, including her success at UCLA, and her views of our Venture Acceleration and Startup Ecosystems.

Trish's dedication to Supporting Underserved Founders is admirable, and her insights into advising early-stage startups on pitching and funding strategies are invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs. She holds an MBA from UCLA and a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Accounting from UC Berkeley, and her journey is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, strategic thinking, and passionate self belief. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from a true trailblazer.

Feel free to follow and engage with TRISH here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishhal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishhalamandaris/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/THalamandaris

Website: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by Christian Narvaez, Managing Partner at Rayo Capital, a dynamic investor and community leader in the web3 world. We delve into a wide range of topics, including the profound impact of mentorship on his life, and how he’s now mentoring others in the growing Latino Web3 community and how that representation will shape the future. We explore Rayo Capital's mission and discover it’s relationship with Web3 Familia, the global community he co-founded during the Pandemic and its pivotal role in building a supportive global community for Latino innovators across the Americas. Christian shares each chapter of his incredible life story, highlighting his place as a First Gen son of Ecuadorian immigrant parents as he narrates how he paved his own unique path to success, one step at a time, from hustling selling sneakers in High School, to Community College, Baruch College in NYC and a career on Wall Street.

Christian's Venture firm, Rayo Capital, and his community Web3 Familia are shaping the web3 landscape so that the future of the web is built for the widest possible audience, by the widest possible array of builders. But it’s Christian's personal journey that is the inspiring foundation upon which it’s all built. He fiercely advocates for inclusion and equality of opportunity and access, not only for his Latin community, in the USA and beyond, but for others as well. Don't miss out on this episode, as he promises to be a game-changer you’ll want to keep track of!

Feel free to follow and engage with CHRISTIAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narvaezchristian/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narvaezchris_/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NarvaezChris_ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/narvaezchris_ Website: https://www.rayo.capital

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by a remarkable woman, Elianne Rodriguez. Elianne is a serial entrepreneur dedicated to a life’s work of empowering and educating entrepreneurs from under-served communities! She makes a fascinating connection between her deep passion for Los Angeles’ two professional soccer clubs, Angel City FC of the NWSL and LAFC, one of the City’s two MLS franchises. She predicts what Los Angeles will look like 50 years from now, and she shares some amazingly inspired stories about why ACFC has become such an anchor for her (and so many in LA) life. Elianne is a literal DREAMER (DACA recipient) and she shares the resilient stories of that immigrant journey to the USA as a child.

She's a dedicated advocate for equity, exemplified through her work at (LEEAF) at Cal-State Los Angeles. In addition to this pivotal role, she serves as a Managing Partner at the research agency, LIST Ventures, and acts as a Strategic Advisor for the LA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and member at PledgeLA.

Elianne's story is one of resilience, advocacy for herself, and others, and entrepreneurship. Her dedication to equity and access to education and resources, plus her tireless efforts to empower communities of color, make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in building a more inclusive and diverse future. Tune in to gain valuable insights and inspiration from a true change-maker and genuinely kind, smart, funny person.

Feel free to follow and engage with ELIANNE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliannerodriguez0315/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eliannevenice

Website: https://www.calstatela.edu

LEEAF at CSULA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeaf_calstatela/?hl=es

LEEAF at CSULA LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/getleeaf

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this unique episode, Rob is joined by multi-talented, multi-hyphenate, Natasha Chandel. In this captivating interview, the two delve into a wide range of topics including exploring the surprising similarities between the entrepreneurial industry and Hollywood/entertainment industry, shedding light on how lessons from one world can apply to the other. Natasha shares her captivating career journey and the intriguing transitions she's made along the way. In one thought-provoking segment, Natasha and Rob discuss the recent (WGA) writer's strike in the United States and how the resolution of the strike has significant implications for industry workers. This insightful discussion underscores the importance of advocacy and collective action in the entertainment world.

Her CV includes stints at iconic media giants like MTV, FOX, and Disney, and she continues to excel in her various roles as a writer, actress, stand-up comedian, voice-over actor, and podcaster, creating her wildly popular show, “Kinda Dating”. Podcasting and content creation take center stage as Natasha discusses her experiences in these ever-evolving mediums. The conversation also touches upon the vital issue of representation in the entertainment industry, a cause close to Natasha's heart.

One of the highlights of this episode is when Natasha lends her vocal talents to the podcast, providing a glimpse into the world of voice acting and how it differs from traditional on-screen acting. It's not only informative but also incredibly fun.

Throughout the interview, Natasha's infectious energy shines through, and her advice is both inspiring and practical. Listeners will gain valuable insights into commitment, purpose, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Tune in now!

Feel free to follow and engage with NATASHA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashachandel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashachandel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Natasha_Chandel

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/natashachandel

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/natashachandel

Website: https://www.natashachandel.com

PODCAST "KINDA DATING":

Show link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TQ9bcUHVeJvJ17eQfDK4N?si=e9dbc4d36f234b59

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindadating/?hl=es

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by Andrea Orrego, Founder of Atelier. She’s a third-generation architect turned tech entrepreneur hailing from Lima, Peru, now living with her family in Colorado, whose journey in architecture and entrepreneurship has not only crafted inspiring spaces but also redefined the notion of an entrepreneurial life and personal resilience. She’s an advocate and strong voice for fellow underdog founders.

In this engaging conversation, Andrea and Rob delve into a variety of compelling topics. They explore the genesis of Atelier App, Andrea's brainchild, and how it is reshaping the world of architecture, interior design and the Home Goods industry in Peru. Sustainability in design is another key focus, as Andrea shares her vision for a greener and more environmentally conscious approach to architecture, emphasizing the importance of using sustainable materials and partnering with green focused vendors.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are themes close to Andrea's heart, as she’s a self described “underdog” and non-traditional founder and she discusses their vital role in the future of entrepreneurship.

Feel free to follow and engage with ANDREA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaorrego/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreaOrrego

Personal Website: https://www.andreaorrego.com

Business Website: https://www.atelier-app.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by his friend, the remarkably talented Juliana Garaizar, a true trailblazer in the world of venture capital and sustainable innovation. The two enjoy a wide ranging, personal conversation which dives into the topics which Juliana feels most compelled by everyday - Climate innovation, the fundamental value of multi-culturalism and more broadly the importance of Diversity and equality of access in capital and entrepreneurship. She brings an economists lens to the big problems we face and she challenges some standard norms and beliefs of how we should take personal responsibility for solving them.

Juliana's impressive professional and academic background is a testament to her dedication to making a difference in the world at large, and to the value she places on serving under-represented communities. As an active Angel Investor and Kauffman Fellows, she has consistently played a pivotal role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the Venture and Private Capital markets. Currently serving as the Founding GP at Malaika Ventures, the Lead Investor of Rising America Fund within the Portfolia Funds and the Chief Development and Investment Officer and Head of the Cleantech Incubator at Greentown Labs in Houston, Texas, after having received MBA’s at the London School of Business and HaaS School of Business at UC Berkeley, (GOBears) Juliana's influence is truly unparalleled!

But it's not just about business for Juliana; she's a deep thinker, voracious reader, incredible mom and a supportive partner to her two kids, husband, and friends. She leaves a trail of people who love and respect her wherever she goes, including Rob. Her multifaceted journey, inspiring career, and dedication to making a positive impact make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of investment, innovation, and leadership. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and be inspired by Juliana Garaizar's extraordinary story.

Feel free to follow and engage with JULIANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-garaizar-8443b7/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianagaraizar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulianaGaraizar
Website: https://greentownlabs.com

Superpower Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/1508294666?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by a dynamic new venture investor, Michael Shor, hailing from Miami, Florida. Michael is SHOR Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund with a unique penchant for backing "ruthlessly iterative founders."

In this captivating conversation, Michael delves into his unique investing philosophy, shedding light on his preference for disruptive ideas over conventional ones. You'll gain valuable insights into his portfolio, as he shares stories of his investments, juxtaposed against also really opening up about his own journey with ADHD and how he nows views this as his superpower!

What truly sets Michael apart is his unwavering commitment to family values, and “people,” which serves as the bedrock of his venture capital decisions. It's a thread that runs through every aspect of his life, from his growing family to his leadership in the local Jewish community in South Florida.

Michael specializes in nurturing pre-seed and seed stage startups, offering vital support through investments typically ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. But Michael's entrepreneurial spirit knows no bounds. His knack for creating value for partners extends far beyond venture capital. He's dabbled in real estate ventures and consumer electronics.

Feel free to follow and engage with MICHAEL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamivc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miamishor
Notion Website: @SHORVC
Website: https://shorcapital.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entrepreneurialthinkers/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by the dynamic and high energy Shirin Salmenia, CEO of PlayWerks. Shirin is an indefatigable example of knowing what your dreams are and then being relentlessly single minded in pursuit of them. Her early career found her working on some of the most iconic toy brands in American history. Shirin is more than just a successful entrepreneur, she’s an anchor of the Los Angeles entrepreneurial economy. She epitomizes a #LongLA having moved to the city when she was 2yrs old and having turned down early career opportunities to move away from LA. She’s building at the Uber creative intersection of interactive media, gaming, technology, childhood development and public policy. Shirin is a fierce advocate for women, women of color, women entrepreneurs and young people.

Before founding PlayWerks, Shirin spent several years as the Research Manager and Bratz Brand Manager at MGA Entertainment, where she seamlessly blended her expertise in child and youth marketing with her deep understanding of the toy industry. She also played a pivotal role in the development of MGA's Play Lab. Shirin's journey into the toy industry began at Mattel, Inc., where she worked in Worldwide Consumer Research for the Barbie/Girls Division. Shirin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child/Family and Consumer Sciences from California State University, Northridge and is deeply involved in various organizations and initiatives locally, including Women in Gaming, the LA FILM School Video Game Department, Girls in Tech, Women in Film, Next Gen Femmes, and the Entertainment Division of the Jewish Federation.

Feel free to follow and engage with SHIRIN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirin-laor-raz-salemnia-a95381

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shirinsalemnia?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShirinSalemnia

Website: http://shirinlaorrazsalemnia.com

Consulting booking: https://findyournorth.co/advisors/shirin-laor-raz-salemnia

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this really special behind the scenes episode, Rob is joined for two incredible conversations by the powerful Mexican women who have shaped this show for you over the last 3+ years.

Rob says goodbye to his friend, and our (now former) co-host, Ileana Jaime Felix, as we announce her departure from the show, after helping give birth to it in the midst of the Pandemic Summer of 2020. She’s on to big exciting professional opportunities and some new personal projects in her life and we collectively decided, now was the time to wish her well while we move ahead to create the best podcast possible telling the human stories we love discovering for you!

To that end and with the help of our super talented Show Producer, Diana Bernal, from Mexico City, we dive into a really cool look “inside” how we make this show. We talk technology, processes, guest experience, funny stories and Diana’s love for storytelling, audio, film and tv.

We finish up this whirlwind tour of our last 3 years and 83 episodes, by sharing a tiny sneak preview announcement of some really exciting news for Rob and our business coming soon.

We're so grateful to you, our loyal and growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy. We're here to inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this special episode, Rob is joined for an impromptu conversation, by a guest who needs no introduction: the one and only Sergio Borromei aka Maxolydian aka the Cowboy Coder. We get together in this informal conversation between Los Angeles, a City globally renowned for it’s creativity, and Maxolydian’s recording studio on his Ranch outside Santiago, Chile. We celebrate a big announcemnt in his music career.

This special moment took us all the way back to his first episode #7, from nearly 3 years ago today, August 18, 2020, where we explored the captivating crossroads of "Creativity and Entrepreneurship." So we’re resharing his story, which unfolded like a symphony, starting as an 11-year-old classically trained musician and evolving into a university graduate/junior software engineer in an Argentine Bank. The crescendo? The awe-inspiring 2020 sale of his and his partners company, Lagash, to the LatAm giant, Mercado Libre. Music and software converged seamlessly in Sergio's world, igniting a blaze of inspiration for our audience to discover their latent creative talents while empowering young entrepreneurs to harness their passion to fuel success.

Tune in to this episode whether you're a die-hard fan of his music, of his previous appearance with us or as a new listener about to embark on an unforgettable auditory adventure, this episode promises to reignite your passion for creativity, entrepreneurship, and the boundless possibilities that emerge at their intersection. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and captivated all over again.

Feel free to follow and engage with SERGIO here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxolydian/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6MuIsCqqh1Btq8etQ0Nx3t?si=qb1nvdu8RPavZoSkzQoFdw

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! ¡Salud y gracias!, Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this special end of our Summer Break Series episode, Rob updates us on some of his own summer fun, shares a sneek peak into the future of MentorsToday in 2023-24, and recaps and adds his own takes on the three Summer Break series episodes we just reshared on the critical topics of: Storytelling, Venture Capital, and Mental Health.

Rob explores the power of storytelling and why it’s essential for entrepreneurs and he breaks down 3 practical tips that highlight the importance of authenticity and connecting on a deeper level with your clients, investors, and partners through your story.

He then recaps the always hot topic of venture capital, providing a concise overview of funding options for startups. Rob shares his ‘4 circles” of capital raising thesis he’s used to help thousands of entrepreneurs plan their next moves and he encourages folks to keep in mind that not all businesses are meant for venture capital investment.

Lastly, but most crucially, he summarizes and adds personal context to the ever present worries over entrepreneur’s mental health. He shares practical strategies and tools to cope with stress and pressure, adds a few personal anecdotes from the episode with the one and only Andrea Campos and encourages listeners to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed.

Rob also shares some exciting new developments for MentorsToday in the coming months, all centered around various different ways to connect more deeply and live, with you, our audience, everywhere you are.

Feel free to follow and engage with Rob here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmRobRyan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

It’s summertime 2023, and just like you and your family are taking some holiday time off to travel, lay by the pool or hangout at the beach, we’ve decided to give our team a short Summer Break too. But since we know you’re still listening, we thought we’d re-share three terrific episodes in July, on the 3 hottest topics which Rob gets asked about most often in our work at GrowthHax. Storytelling, Venture Capital and Mental Health & Wellness.

Today, we drop in to explore the always important business and life topic of our “Mental Health.” Coming out of this pandemic, adjusting to new lifestyles, reacting to the FOMO of making up for lost time and as always, the pressures to grow businesses to investor expectations, today we revisit Andrea Campos, CEO at Yana, one of the fastest growth Mental Health and wellness platform companies in Latin America, which originally aired in Episode 60, on February 21, 2023. So sit back, open a cold drink, put on that sunscreen and enjoy a masterclass refresher in Venture Capital.

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Andrea Campos, CEO/Founder of Yana (You are not Alone) the Spanish language, AI driven mental health and wellness platform in Mexico y LatAm. Andrea shares her unique story of an exceptionally strong, resilient, accidental Mexican entrepreneur, who struggled with depression and anxiety, dropped out of University and obsessively sought solutions to her own mental health needs. Ultimately she discovered that she was far from alone in the need for better mental health support. That journey led to Yana, which took six + years of trial and error as a solo founder, before exploding in popularity to 12 million + downloads during the last three years! Her company is one of the fastest growing in LatAm, has raised Venture Capital from some of the regions most reputable investors, but it's her incredibly humble and authentic personal story that will be inspiring to any listener.

Feel free to follow and engage with ANDREA and YANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-campos-guerra/?originalSubdomain=mx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acamposguerra/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreacamposg

Website: https://yana.com.mx/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

It’s summertime 2023, and just like you and your family are taking some holiday time off to travel, lay by the pool or hangout at the beach, we’ve decided to give our team a short Summer Break for the next few weeks too. But since we know you’re still listening, we thought we’d re-share three terrific episodes in July, on the 3 hottest topics which Rob gets asked about most often in our work at GrowthHax. Storytelling, Venture Capital and Mental Health & Wellness.

Today, we drop in with “Venture Capital”, a topic that every entrepreneur, investor obsess over no matter what time of year it is, taught to us by Federico Antoni, one of the Old Guard original Venture Capital Investors in Mexico and Latin America, which originally aired in Episode 34, on May 2, 2022. So sit back, open a cold drink, put on that sunscreen and enjoy a masterclass refresher in Venture Capital.

In this episode, recorded in the Fall of 2021, Rob and Ileana are joined by one of the OG Latino American and Mexican Venture Investors, Federico Antoni, founding partner at ALLVP. He has been a leading catalyst and passionate advocate for the entrepreneurial economies of the region for the last 10+ years and joined our show to share his unique perspectives gained over those years when there were very few peers alongside him. If there were a theme of this episode with Fede though, it was not about Fede at all, it was all about "the people, the people, the people." He joins Ileana and Rob to discuss some of the best and brightest young founders in the region. He shares his unique perspective on how the region has arrived at this moment, and what will be required to thrive, as both founders and investors, in the coming years.

In 2012, Federico founded (ALLVP), the first institutional early-stage venture capital fund in the Mexico. Federico has successfully raised two Funds focused on Seed, Series A, and Series B investments. His team has overseen 25 investments to-date, with some of the most reputable and leading companies in the region, across four sectors: FinTech, Digital Consumer, Healthcare, and Smart Cities. Federico, who is a husband and proud father, is a frequent TechCrunch contributor, is also an Entrepreneurship and Management Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received his MBA in 2004. He also holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Applied Economics from Paris Dauphine.

Feel free to follow and engage with FEDERICO here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/federicoantoni

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mantoni

Website: https://www.allvp.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

It’s summertime 2023, and just like you and your family are taking some holiday time off to travel, lay by the pool or hangout at the beach, we’ve decided to give our team a short Summer Break for the next few weeks too. But since we know you’re still listening, we thought we’d re-share three terrific episodes in July, on the 3 hottest topics which Rob gets asked about most often in our work at GrowthHax. Storytelling, Venture Capital and Mental Health & Wellness.

Today, we start with the “Storytelling,” critical topic for anyone in today’s modern world, as taught to us by Yogi Roth, an Award winning Film Maker, Author and Sports Television commentator in USA, which originally aired in Episode 26, on January 24, 2022. So sit back, open a cold drink, put on that sunscreen and enjoy a masterclass refresher in storytelling.

In this episode, Rob and Ileana welcome a great, long time friend of Rob's, Yogi Roth, from right here in Los Angeles. Yogi is an accomplished professional storyteller, across multiple mediums including his primary work as the Analyst, for American college football, at the Pac 12 networks.

Ileana, Rob and Yogi talk about how critically important effective storytelling is to every entrepreneur and their company and their customers/audience. Yogi highlights that no matter how overused the word "storytelling" may seem in popular culture, it is a required skill in today's content heavy world. He drops some incredible wisdom through his specific coaching on "how to" and "why" as well as his 3 pieces of mentor advice, but he also wows us with some of his own life stories. Just listening to how he communicates on this episode will be an enduring masterclass for anyone who is trying to craft "their story".

Yogi was an American college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, then championship coach at University of Southern California, before embarking on his film/television/writing and media careers. He is an award winning Independent Film Maker (Life in a Walk/link below), NY Times best selling author, and regular television creator/producer, with a new Film releasing in 2022. He's an avid surfer, Yoga practitioner and is a loving husband and dad to his wife Amy and their two boys, here in Los Angeles.

Feel free to follow and engage with YOGI here:

Website: ⁠http://yogiroth.com⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/YogiRoth⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/yogiroth⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yogiroth⁠

Other links: ⁠http://www.lifeinawalk.com/⁠ & ⁠https://kindtail.com/⁠

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob hosts the show while Ileana enjoys her Summer break. He is joined by a remarkable, inspiring self made Colombian American, Liz Bazurto, from the fast growing fintech company, Coinbase. She shares her incredible story growing up in and making it out of Medellin, Colombia, a city made infamous to most of us, by Pablo Escobar. She is a strong, self made, confident Latina who lives to inspire and empower other Latinas! She has resiliently made herself into a highly accomplished professional with a uniquely diverse background spanning business development, sales, consulting, Civil engineering and the entertainment industry. Currently holding a leading position in Strategy and Market Development team at Coinbase, Liz brings her wealth of experience from previous roles at Tesla, Merrill Lynch and as an actor to her skill for building strong human relationships and appreciating what clients want and need.

During the interview they explore Liz's life story where she shares personal anecdotes that highlight the importance of resilience and self belief. Her experiences have taught her that there is nothing she cannot achieve, and she is grateful for every day of life.

Inspired by her father's teachings, and family values of discipline, education, and hard work, Liz carries a passion for reinvention and empowering other women into her work and passion for women’s leadership, sustainability, climate change , ESG and financial inclusion principles.

Feel free to follow and engage with LIZ here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbazurto/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizbazurtolb/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.bazurto

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizabazurto

Website: https://www.coinbase.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this special pilot episode of our new “Mentors Today Live” format, Rob and Ileana are joined by former Mentors Today guest, Tadashi Takaoka, (Episode #35, May 9, 2022) General Manager of Socialab Chile and former Entrepreneurship Manager at CORFO, an agency of the Chilean Government.

In this enlightening live conversation on Twitter Spaces, Tadashi updates Rob and Ileana on what he’s working on now and how his thoughts have evolved on issues discussed in his original episode #35/May 9, 2022. Notably, he reveals his new role as Director, Metro de Santiago, and Director, Arrigoni Ambiental, and how he has grown his presence on social media, further solidifying his influence and reach in the digital realm.

Very importantly, Tadashi shares his thoughts on what “entrepreneurship” means now in a post pandemic world, what purpose is entrepreneurial economic development supposed to serve in Chile and any country in today’s world and he also deeply discusses the dramatic changes and challenges to democratic life in Chile, the public pursuit of a new Chilean Constitution, and the inevitable frictions between public discourse and political and economic developments.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation with one of MentorsToday's most inspiring guests.

Feel free to follow and engage with TADASHI here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tadashitakaoka?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadashitakaoka/?originalSubdomain=cl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadashi.takaoka/?hl=en

Website: https://www.socialab.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by the dynamically talented Ariana Gómez, a visionary leader dedicated to transforming individuals and organizations into global agents of peace, prosperity, and positive impact. As the Founder and CEO of Technology for Impact and Alterleap, Ariana spearheads a next-generation boutique consulting firm that empowers boards, companies, institutional entities, private equity and venture capital funds, and international organizations to transition to a stakeholder and sustainable mindset and business model.

During the interview, Ariana shares her profound insights on several crucial topics. She delves into climate action and biodiversity conservation, offering her perspective on climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, and the preservation of biodiversity. She explores the roles of businesses, governments, and individuals in driving positive environmental change.

Another significant aspect discussed in the interview is female empowerment, leadership and diversity. Ariana passionately talks about her work in promoting gender equality and diversity across various sectors. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices, representation, and the empowerment of women for achieving sustainable development goals. Ariana underscores the significance of building a strong, resourceful community that offers support and resources "freely" to enable individuals to contribute to the environmental cause while also nurturing personal growth. According to her, we cannot effectively help Mother Earth if we are not well ourselves.

Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your understanding and be inspired to make a positive impact on the world around you.

Feel free to follow and engage with ARIANA here:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisarianagomez⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/arianagomezig/⁠

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/arianagomezf⁠

Alterleap Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alterleap/⁠

Alterleap LatAm: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alterleap_latam/⁠

Website: ⁠https://technologyforimpact.com⁠

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by our guest Mónica Campos. Mónica is an accomplished professional currently serving as the Innovation Ecosystem Head at Nestle Mexico, located in Mexico City, she leads the "All-In" ecosystem, connecting top startups with Nestle to co-create innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for their customers.

During the interview, Mónica shares her inspiring journey and early exposure to entrepreneurship, highlighting her passion for working in the industry in Mexico, having found opportunities from her hometown in Morelia, all the way to Mexico City. The conversation delves into her role where she discusses her responsibilities, challenges, and notable achievements in leading the innovation ecosystem at Nestle Mexico and with other leading companies such as Coppel S.A., and Bluebox Ventures, throughout her career.

Mónica's expertise in managing corporate acceleration programs and fostering entrepreneurship is highlighted. The conversation explores the vital role of these programs in nurturing startups, driving innovation, and creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The "All-In" program at Nestle takes center stage as Rob, Ileana, and Mónica discuss its purpose, objectives, and its role in fostering innovation. They share success stories and notable examples of startups that have collaborated with Nestle, co-creating innovative solutions that have made a significant impact.

Looking towards the future, the discussion shifts to emerging trends in the innovation ecosystem. Mónica provides valuable insights on the impact of new technologies, the significance of sustainability, and the evolving dynamics of startup-corporate collaborations. Listeners gain an understanding of how Nestle stays ahead of the curve and anticipates future industry trends.

Feel free to follow and engage with MÓNICA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moonicampos/?locale=en_US

All In Website: https://www.all-in.com.mx

B2B xponencial Website: https://www.all-in.com.mx/b2b-xponencial

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by a distinguished guest, Diego Serebrisky. Diego is a deeply experienced investor and is one of the first old guard of venture investors in Latin America. Currently overseeing Dalus Capital, a venture and early growth stage fund based in Mexico. His investment focus lies in high-growth Latin American companies with innovative technology and now more recently, climate technology innovators. Diego shares his understanding of and vision for the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas. With his extensive experience in the field, he provides valuable insights into the evolution of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Mexico, shedding light on the country's progress and potential.

Diego has played a crucial role in supporting and investing in some of the region's most well-known brands and important companies, such as Clip, Kubo Financiero, Cultura Colectiva, Technisys, Xertica, and Sirena. Beyond his investment endeavors, Diego shares his wisdom on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and climate issues through his blog at http://serebrisky.com/ and various social media platforms.

Rob and Ileana delve into several engaging topics including exploration of his own origin story, his journey, career, education, and upbringing, and how he first became exposed to entrepreneurship and later ventured into the investment world. Diego's passion for the climate emerges as a focal point, as he discusses the importance of taking action to mitigate climate change.

A notable highlight of the episode is Diego's discussion of the Dalus Capital story. He reveals intriguing details about his early investments, including his involvement with Clip, a company dedicated to providing digital payment solutions for businesses. Tune in to this captivating episode as Rob and Ileana engage in an enlightening conversation with Diego Serebrisky.

Feel free to follow and engage with DIEGO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoserebrisky/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serebrisky

Website: Dalus: https://daluscapital.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by René Lomelí, the Director of Operations at 500 Startups LATAM, a renowned venture capital firm in Mexico City. With over 10 years of experience at the company, René has played a crucial role in creating and leading the 16-week program for investments in Spanish-speaking Latin America, known as Somos Lucha, and has been involved in over 240 investments in the region.

During the interview, René shares his inspiring origin story, growing up on the east coast of Mexico in Merida, and not being a "big city kid, and not being a Stanford or Harvard guy." He discusses his move to Mexico City and how it marked a significant serendipitous turning point in his life.

The conversation delves into René's "entrepreneurial origin story" and experience organizing and facilitating Startup Weekends across Mexico, showcasing his dedication to fostering entrepreneurship in his City and now Mexico. He also shares valuable insights about his journey with 500 Startups, explaining how he met his partner at 500 Startups, Santiago Zavala, and how he became involved with the company. René sheds light on the inner workings of 500 LatAm and its mission to assist early-stage startups in various aspects such as business strategy, marketing, fundraising, and team building.

One of the highlights of the conversation is René's reflection on the most memorable startups he has worked with and why they stood out to him. He offers a unique perspective on the role of technology, innovation, and capital in driving economic growth in emerging markets, emphasizing the potential for transformative change.

Throughout the interview, René's genuine enthusiasm for the industry and positive energy shines through. His journey from witnessing the nascent stages of the Mexican entrepreneurial landscape to actively contributing to its consolidation, showcases his determination and commitment. Additionally, his passion for marathon running, having completed 10 marathons, offers a unique lens through which he has learned to endure pain and experience greater satisfaction upon reaching the finish line.

Don't miss this captivating episode with René.

Feel free to follow and engage with RENÉ here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlomeli88/?originalSubdomain=mx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlomeli88/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rlomeli88?lang=en

Website: https://500.co

Website for LATAM: https://latam.500.co/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by a special guest, James Cummings, the Vice President of Business Development at London & Partners. James is a passionate advocate for promoting London's culture, creativity, and energy, and he has played a crucial role in establishing connections between the United States and the UK through his work at London & Partners.

During the interview, James shares his inspiring story, discussing his upbringing and professional experiences that have shaped his career. He highlights the importance of fostering international business relationships and emphasizes the significance of collaboration between different regions, countries, and industries, particularly focusing on the connections between London and Los Angeles.

James sheds light on the role of government agencies in driving economic growth and explains how private sector leaders can collaborate with these agencies to maximize opportunities. He delves into the key industries that drive London's economy and emphasizes their impact on the city's overall prosperity.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of James' role in promoting London and why entrepreneurs and business leaders should consider London as a prime destination. Simultaneously, they discover James' dedication to promoting Los Angeles, as it holds a special place in his heart. His enthusiasm for both cities and his deep knowledge of their economic potential make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in international business growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the strategies behind city promotion, this episode offers invaluable insights from an industry expert.

Feel free to follow and engage with JAMES here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cummings-90b04514/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/westwoodla?lang=en

Website: https://www.business.london

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by successful entrepreneur and angel investor, Jeffery Potvin. With investments in over 70 companies and a member of multiple angel groups and screening committees, including York, Spark, and GTAN, Jeffery brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

During the interview, Jeffery shares his background in software engineering and e-commerce management and discusses his passion for discovering early-stage companies with innovative solutions to solve real problems. He also discusses his love for travel and how it informs and connects to his investment funds.

One of the key topics covered in the interview is the Canadian entrepreneurial economy, their national entrepreneurial mission and StartUp Visa programs discussed through Jeffery's lens of experience as both a founder and investor. Additionally, He shares insights into his role as the driving force behind Open People Network (OPN), a group of angel investors that helps accelerate the growth of early-stage startups through The Supporters Fund and Pitch-it Series.

Perhaps most notably, Jeffery emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs and founders supporting one another to create a strong community and drive economic growth. Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested the entrepreneurial and investor life anywhere, but especially in Canada!

Feel free to follow and engage with JEFFERY here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferypotvin/?originalSubdomain=ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefferypotvin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JefferyPotvin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.potvin/

Website: https://www.openpeoplenetwork.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by their great friend, Cuco Vega, LEAP Global Partners, Head of Platform, in a very personal conversation, including his unique perspective on innovation, entrepreneurship and his own founder journey, which is a health/wellness journey many entrepreneurs will deeply identify with. Cuco has a well-rounded experience in International Operations, having founded and represented Mexico's Jalisco Government's business and tech promotion office in San Francisco and collaborating with similar programs in Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.

During the interview, Cuco shares his own entrepreneurial journey, which ended exactly one year prior to the day we recorded this conversation together, including his experience founding Bexi and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing one's health over work and the need to connect with one's co-founder to avoid potential pitfalls. He reflects on the entrepreneurial economies in Mexico, Latin America, and the USA, highlighting both the good and the bad.

The conversation tours Cuco's personal life journey, especially his sabbatical the past 12 months, and his professional transition to venture capital and LEAP Partners, where he is committed to helping portfolio companies thrive. He shares the story of LEAP Partners' history and future and offers insights into what it's like to be a bi-national/multi-cultural (Mexican American) with deep roots in both countries.

Overall, Cuco's experience, skill set, and ambition make him an incredibly valuable asset for startups and venture capitalists alike.

Feel free to follow and engage with CUCO here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cucovega/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cucovega/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cucovega

Website: http://www.leapglobalpartners.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Heather Carter, co-CEO at The Riveter.

Heather is an experienced startup operator and natural relationship developer who has spent the past decade taking nascent concepts from vision to fruition. Heather shares her circuitous, serendipitous personal journey from the UK to Arizona and ultimately Los Angeles, where she lives today with her partner and their daughter, and how her career has allowed her to manage work stress and pressure in stride.

During the interview, Heather discusses her time as the former VP of Operations for The Riveter, and how she used her knowledge gained in co-working to launch The Coterie Club, a smart and more efficient business for the new work from home/hybrid work landscape that emerged alongside our pandemic. She then shares how that vision came full circle with Riveter founder and Co-CEO Amy Nelson, to rebirth a thriving new “The Riveter” post pandemic.

The conversation explores the importance of places like The Riveter, both virtual and physical, for women professionals and entrepreneurs, and the biggest obstacles to greater inclusion and representation of women in executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and investment support. Heather also shares her beliefs about the "future of work" in a post-pandemic/new normal world.

Throughout the episode, Heather emphasizes the importance of empowering women to generate their own income and creating spaces to empower women. She encourages listeners to always be open to opportunities and to ask themselves "what's the worst that can happen?" when considering new paths. Heather also advocates for the role of Co-CEO, noting that being a CEO can be a lonely path. Don't miss this insightful conversation with Heather Carter!

Feel free to follow and engage with HEATHER here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-carter-03706557/

Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/HeathrCartr⁠

Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/theriveterco/

Website: https://theriveter.co

TikTok Business: https://www.tiktok.com/@theriveterco

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Oscar Eduardo Santiago Sevilla, a successful industrial engineer and entrepreneur from La Piedad Mexico. Oscar is the Founder and CEO of the Centro de Innovación y Competitividad A.C., where he helps entrepreneurs enhance their skills and fosters a culture of innovation. He is also a consultant, instructor, and external advisor on strategic planning, innovation, and new businesses.

During the interview, Oscar shares his life journey and how he became passionate about entrepreneurship, particularly in the La Piedad entrepreneurial economy. He talks about his various companies and initiatives, including CINCOM, which offers several programs and opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn and get support.

One of the key takeaways from the interview is Oscar's perspective on failure. He believes that it's inevitable and that we shouldn't avoid it. Instead, we should embrace it and learn from it. He also stresses the importance of entrepreneurship in creating economic opportunities for rural towns and cities in Mexico, and how it can break generational cycles.

Feel free to follow and engage with OSCAR here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscar-sevilla/?originalSubdomain=mx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osantiagosevilla/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oscar.e.sevilla.9

Website: https://www.cincom.com.mx/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Stéphanie Bermúdez, Founder and Principal at Startup Unidos, a dynamic entrepreneurial support organization serving the very unique region along the southern border of Arizona, USA/Northern border of Sonora, Mexico. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating binational business opportunities, then you won't want to miss this episode. If you want to hear the stories of entrepreneurship beyond the biggest brand name cities in either the USA or Mexico, you'll want to hear this story.

Stephanie brings a wealth of professional and leadership experience and knowledge to the discussion, including expertise in lean startup methodology, scaling, pitching, and developing business plans. She is passionate about developing and implementing entrepreneurial and workforce education programs for youth, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Don't miss the chance to learn from Stephanie's years of experience and hear about her unique journey as a LatinX innovator and entrepreneur. Stéphanie previously worked at America's SBDC as a Business Development Analyst in Southern Arizona and began building her experiences while attending the University of Arizona in Tucson. She is a proud Nogales native, of both Sonora Mexico and Arizona, who displays unwavering passion and commitment to make an impact in her communities lives.

We encourage you to follow and engage with Stéphanie here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebermudez/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephberm

Website: http://www.startupunidos.com

Guest mentions: https://www.facebook.com/bluebcafe/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by one of our most diversely experienced and intellectually intense guests ever, Asher Jay, the Founder/CEO of Henoscene. She's been called by the NY Times, "a modern day Lara Croft." She's takes our audience on her adventure through her stories and cultural analysis of our place on our planet. She's talks about her entrepreneurial pursuits at the intersection of being a dedicated animal rights and climate advocate, professional storyteller and advisor to her Fortune 500 brand clients on their ESG strategies and brand communications. She's led an eclectic upbringing which, she tells us, has informed so much of her life and life's work today. She challenges our audience (and her clients) to live more holistically and authentically to preserve our life and the life of the species we share our planet with.

Henoscene, is the real time blockchain campaign platform for Corporate Brands, to connect with their consumers to drive measurable, better outcomes across an array of climate, animal welfare and public good efforts. Asher is a (literal) National Geographic Explorer turned entrepreneur. She is an international adventurer and public figure whose career arc has taken her from fashion designing in NYC to campaigning against blood ivory on the cities Billboards. Jay’s work has contributed to raising consumer awareness and empowering citizen action for well known brands like Prada, Adidas, Citizen Watches, Loreal and others. She advises corporations and multinational companies on their sense of purpose which informs their ESG program commitments. Asher is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design, The New School, who in addition to her work leading Henoscene, she sits on the Boards of ESG DAO, Wildlife Direct, OneGreen Thing and the Plastic Polution Coalition.

Feel free to follow and engage with ASHER here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asherjay/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthheiress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarthHeiress?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthHeiress/

Website: https://www.henoscene.com

Personal Website: http://www.asherjay.com/the-work

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by the Founder of SKNMUSE, Ezinne Iroanya and her Chief Creative Officer, and partner in life, Ambrose Price to hear the story of the building of one of the hottest, fastest growing Black beauty brand companies in the market today. They hit on the difficulties of raising capital as under represented founders and their early success. Ezinne shares her incredible life journey from Nigeria, graduating high school at age 15, entering college to study engineering at age 16, while testing her entrepreneurial chops working numerous side hustles on campus while a student.... She talks about life in the the midwestern USA and now eventually, Los Angeles, as well as Ambrose's creative career and entrepreneurial roots which led him to leave New York City to LA and eventually find Ezinne. The couple brings so much authentic energy, love and wisdom that'll be inspirational and helpful for any founder.

Ezinne comes with over a decade of experience working for brands like Lancome, and Dior, and is the current President of The Black Beauty Club. Her brand, SKNMUSE, has been featured by Beyonce, Issa Rae, Essence, and Vogue, rated top 10 by ELLE USA. She is a recent Glossier and Cantu Grant winner. Ambrose is an experienced brand design and marketing consultant, with a variety of company experiences in both New York City and Los Angeles, and he’s a graduate, with honors, of the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he is of course, the other side of this dynamic duo.

Feel free to follow and engage with EZINNE & AMBROSE here:

LinkedIn Ezinne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezinne-iroanya-567a6515b/

LinkedIn Ambrose: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priceiii/

Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/sknmuse/

Website: https://sknmuse.com/

Instagram Ezinne: https://www.instagram.com/Avenue_z/

Instagram Ambrose: https://www.instagram.com/bythreenails/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Cristian Raygoza, Founder and Managing Partner at Illuminar Ventures. Great founders in Latin America will want to meet him, and Limited Partner investors interested in diversifying their holdings will want to as well! He sees a massive talent diversity development and company building opportunity in Latin America. He is a dynamic young Venture Capitalist, and leader in the LGBTQ+ community across the US. He's a self described finance nerd turned great company finder and investor and shares his specific theses on "developing talent and teams" to build better companies, from his own life experience and having worked inside the one of the world's biggest angel investment community, Gaingels.

Borne and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, he built his early professional experience in Big Finance in New York City working in portfolio management at AIG Asset Management. He returned to the West Coast as an early team member at one of the world's largest Angel Investment groups, Gaingels, and has now spun that off into his firm, Illuminar Ventures with it's unique focus on diverse, inclusive investing in Latin America and the US markets. He has also been involved extensively in organizations at the intersection of the LGBTQ identity and business, including serving as a director for Out For Undergrad, the leading LGBTQ undergraduate business conference. Cristian graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Economics. He plays violin, loves attending the SF Symphony, cycling, Latin American contemporary art, and generally wandering his way into random niches that pique his interest. Iluminar Ventures is a San Francisco and Mexico City based venture firm investing in Spanish-speaking Latin America and is a spinout from Gaingels, one of the most active venture firms in the world today. Iluminar has already invested in over 30 startups in the region, with a strong focus on Seed and Series A.

Feel free to follow and engage with CRISTIAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristianraygoza/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/crisraygoza_
Website: https://www.iluminar.ventures/

Links related to the organizations discussed on the episode:

https://gaingels.com/
https://www.outforundergrad.org/
https://www.questbridge.org/
https://startout.org/
Link to join LGBTQ LatAm WA group

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Rachael Kim, Founder/CEO of MyCommaLife & the Femtech Salon. Rachael shares her own personal journey of adversity, accomplishment and cultural upbringing, while she highlights the immense importance of creating more female centered products and services for women consumers and their health and well being! She considers herself an ecosystem builder, and shares the stories of her global work within the Fortune 500 space in her earlier career and now within the entrepreneurial economies across the USA. She also sees a huge opportunity in LatAm, and encourages our Latin American femtech builders, founders and investors to build more and amplify more loudly.

Rachael is a Forbes Trailblazer, a Northwestern University and London School of Economics alumnus who spent 10 years working on Strategy, Risk, and Analytics at global consulting firm, Accenture. As an ex-corporate intrapreneur turned social impact entrepreneur, she now uses her superpowers for gender equity, particularly period equity, while supporting overlooked businesses. MyComma is an organic period care subscription platform amplifying women and BIPOC led brands to menstruators powering new routines. Her work in this space gave rise to the nationwide Femtech Salon series to support and amplify diverse femtech founders by creating more connected ecosystems in their respective local cities which has led to partners like Techstars, It All Media, Wefunder, LA Times, Crunchbase, BioscienceLA, Hawke Media and the Atlanta Tech Village to get involved.

Feel free to follow and engage with RACHAEL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-m-kim/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmhkim/

Website: https://mycomma.life

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by, co-founder of misFans, Hiram Altamirano. Hiram shares a harrowing and tragic childhood story of being kidnapped at 5 years old, from his family's home in Mexico City! He recounts how this traumatic period of nearly a year, in his young life, shaped his and his mom's life well into his 30's today! Ileana and Rob engage Hiram in an exploration of the duality of his place in this world as a proud Californian and Mexicano, with deep roots in both Los Angeles and Mexico City, before learning from him about the many entrepreneurial lessons embedded in him from his teen years that fuel him in his technology startup life today-- hustle, determination, his faith and an almost unshakable belief in himself. He's a gifted storyteller, and natural hustler and salesman. He's humble, engaging, street smart and sweet all in one. It's easy to root for him as we suspect you will too.

He’s worked most of his life since age 15, either creating or supporting other creative artists and business builders. Currently he is Co-founder of MisFans, a venture backed, LatAm focused platform for creators, alongside his partner, Alex Ramirez, but in years prior has grown businesses in a variety of industries, with creativity at their core; He was co-owner of a popular restaurant in Tulum, Mexico (Hash Tag Poke), founder of an LA based Creative Agency, Black Canvas, co-owner of Cool Human Studios, and a teen childhood prodigy songwriter and video producer.

Feel free to follow and engage with HIRAM here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiram-altamirano-9bb42b184

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_iamhiram/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_iamhiram

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Ana Cecy Mata Rodriguez, Sub directora de Fomento Económico del Municipio de Saltillo. Ana Cecy is a passionate community leader and one of the key voices of entrepreneurship and economic development in the Saltillo region of Mexico. She shares some inspiring thoughts regarding modern day feminism, as well as her strong beliefs that Mexican culture needs to stop normalizing all types of "violence" against women as a mechanism to create more prosperity. Ana had a business career thrust upon her at a young age, following the passing of her father from cancer, and went on to build multiple successful companies, as a woman executive, in male dominated industries.

She is currently helping developing the regions’ entrepreneurial economy from her position within the government, but has previously held leadership positions at the Universidad Carolina, as Coordinadora General de Universidad del Trabajador, an advisor to the Zona SHERO program via Tecnológico de Monterrey, and as co- founder /CEO of Innobakü Consultores, where she helps social entrepreneurs to professionalize their social startup.

Feel free to follow and engage with ANA CECY here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-cecilia-mata-rodriguez-56209364/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anacecymata

Website: https://www.facebook.com/innobaku.mx/

Book mentioned during show: https://a.co/d/4JX6uh1

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Andrea Campos, CEO/Founder of Yana (You are not Alone) the Spanish language, AI driven mental health and wellness platform in Mexico y LatAm. Andrea shares her unique story of an exceptionally strong, resilient, accidental Mexican entrepreneur, who struggled with depression and anxiety, dropped out of University and obsessively sought solutions to her own mental health needs. Ultimately she discovered that she was far from alone in the need for better mental health support. That journey led to Yana, which took six + years of trial and error as a solo founder, before exploding in popularity to 12 million + downloads during the last three years! Her company is one of the fastest growing in LatAm, has raised Venture Capital from some of the regions most reputable investors, but it's her incredibly humble and authentic personal story that will be inspiring to any listener.

Feel free to follow and engage with Andrea and Yana here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-campos-guerra/?originalSubdomain=mx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acamposguerra/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreacamposg

Website: https://yana.com.mx/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Maria Morfin De La Parra, a Principal at Bimbo Ventures. She helps us understand Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) overall and in Latin America. We explore it's place in the entrepreneurial economy worldwide, and we learn the fascinating story how a 75yr+ global industrial giant like Bimbo Group, has innovated, gotten themselves invested into new and upcoming technologies and companies as well as built an unmatched corporate culture. Maria shares her human story of the journey of her very "renaissance woman" life in Mexico City, to now investor and innovator inside the world's largest Baked Goods company.

She’s a rising star in the entrepreneurial economy of Mexico. After graduating from Universidad Anáhuac, Maria has built an extremely diverse CV which has exposed her to key trends at the right moments. She is a consummate relationship and community builder and has exercised these skills in roles in the fintech area in Mexico, such as “Discovering Mexico”, the Real estate crowdfunding platform, as well as AFICO, the early crowdfunding Industry association. She’s also experienced life in the ecosystem from the side of an entrepreneur, building HyperBlock MX, and is now building on all of her experiences in the Food Industry investment space, within the corporate Venture investment arm of Bimbo Group. Bimbo which of course, is the world’s largest bakery, whose mission statement is “ NOURISHING A BETTER WORLD” through their more than 134,000 associates in 33 countries.

Feel free to follow and engage with MARI here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-morfin-delaparra/?originalSubdomain=mx

Website: https://grupobimbo.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this 2022 in Review episode, Rob and Ileana live-streamed their conversation looking back across a year of growth, new stories and wonderful guests on Mentors Today. The two reminisce over the deeply human stories and terrifically smart people they got to visit with and learn from, but they also proudly discuss the very intentional diversity of the show across gender, race, identity and geographies as the show continues to grow week over week and year over year. 2022 was a year in which Mentors Today published more episodes than ever, from more different countries, amplifying the stories of more women, more people of color, across more different industries than ever before, and it's just getting started! The show wouldn't exist with you our loyal and growing audience and the incredible guests who come on and share so vulnerably, honestly and authentically. Muchas Gracias and Thank you!

Feel free to follow and engage with the HOSTS here:

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as @iAmRobRyan

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as @iLeanaJaf

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Blaine Doyle, Co-Founder/CEO at ChektAhoraand ImmunoCheck. Blaine has an incredibly unique life story to share. He is an Irishman in Mexico, building to solve the healthcare delivery problems and disease eradication problems across Latin America! He is a deeply experienced scientist and researcher, multiple time entrepreneur, capital raiser and true believer in the need/opportunities to innovate solutions to the Latin American markets. He shares his absolutely fascinating personal story of how a University research trip to Honduras, and himself getting the Dengue virus, led him to where he is today.

He is a young health technology and wellness innovator, surrounded by a wide range of super talented life sciences leaders across the industries worldwide, who has been working on solutions in this space for more than 7 years. He believes we are in the age of genomics, and that the technologies at our disposal today are things from science fiction novels, yet they are here and ready for use by us. The last page of Blaine’s high-school biology book had a section on biotechnology. Years later he says he is excited and humbled to be a part of the innovation this generation is creating. He doesn’t only want to build a business in health tech and wellness, he aspires to eradicate more diseases, reduce mortality rates and impact poverty like no other generation before us.

Please free to follow and engage with BLAINE here and find links mentioned in the show:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blainedoyle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaine_doyle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaine_doyle?lang=en

Website: https://www.chektahora.com/es/

https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Darwin-Genetic-Engineering-Humanity/dp/1728214130/ref=asc_df_1728214130/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459526655425&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5707906483402423822&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030987&hvtargid=pla-907069371538&psc=1

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are honored to be joined by a truly unique innovator and builder, Adriana Tortajada, CEO and Managing Partner at 1200.vc. She is a deeply experienced pioneer in the design and launch of public and private programs promoting the entrepreneurial and venture capital ecosystem across the US and Latin American region. Recognized as one of the first female leaders, since the early 2000's, across Latin America, getting her start in Mexico from the earliest days of the regions entrepreneurial economy.

Adriana provides our audience with an in-depth, real time history lesson on the entrepreneurial and venture capital industries in Mexico and the region. Very few people who sat at the tables of "innovation" in 2003, remain as actively involved as she does today. Imagine a world in which Mexico was building some of the first commercialized drones, first electric cars, artificial hearts, first hydro electric power innovations... well, Adriana lived in that world 20 years ago and is still here making things happen in 2022. She uses her uniquely high energy intelligence and storytelling gifts to chronicle the regions growth, which ran parallel to her own career growth from local/regional innovation researcher, to Head of the Federal Government's INADEM (institute for entrepreneurship) , to the Private sector in Spain/LatAm, at Santander X and now in the emerging VC space where next generation family offices meets venture capital. Come on this ride through LatAm history with us.

Feel free to find out more about her CV, and to follow and engage with ADRIANA here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-tortajada-2784869b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atortajada?lang=en

Website: https://www.twelvehundred.vc

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana, are joined by Bruce Hamilton, General Partner at Mech Ventures. Bruce and his partner, Mario Mitchell, are building the "Roc Nation" of Venture capital, following in the footsteps of music and entertainment/sports industry icon, Jay-Z. In their vision they'll not only reinvent and expand the venture capital industry, but they'll revolutionize how venture firms serve and support their portfolio companies and founders, in much the same way Roc Nation has reinvented the talent agency business! Bruce discusses his upbringing and inspirations, their relationship and he ties together how all of his life experiences have led to this moment in his business. We dive into their origin story as partners, Mario being a US Air Force veteran, and Bruce's background in both Music A&R talent management and the tech/software development business. These guys are young, smart, fresh, humble but wildly confident in themselves, their vision and the market they're investing in. Ileana explores Bruce's definition of "Pop culture" and he helps our audience understand why he believes there is no greater city on the world, better suited, or more relevant than Los Angeles, which is his home now!

Feel free to follow and engage with BRUCE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrucehamilton/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibrucehamilton

Website: https://www.mech.ventures/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by an incredible Argentine entrepreneur in the retail/healthy living products industry, Melanie Wolman. She's the co-founder of The Food Market: an online and physical store retailer for organic and sustainable products in Argentina, promoting fair trade. She shares incredibly simple, yet important advice as our "Mentor For the Day", while also sharing her stories of her passionate motivation for building the Food Market to the point its at today. In typical Argentine fashion, Mel is swinging for the fences, going big or going home- changing the world, helping others and living and working to make an impact on this world we live in, no matter what politics or economic tornadoes swarm around her in Argentina. She's an inspiration and a fiercely determined founder who is committed to her vision while being flexible in how to get there.

Feel free to follow and engage with MELANIE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-wolman-29b4a8a0/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meluwolman/?hl=en

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/meluwolman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolmanmelu

Website: https://www.thefoodmarket.com.ar/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by an inspiring entrepreneur from the northern border region of Mexico y United States, José Ochoa. He is an award-winning Mexican-American entrepreneur, engineer and business innovation evangelist who started successful companies in the US and Mexico, among them Global Containers & Custom Packaging Inc., a logistics and packaging company to the Fortune 500, and Reikoku LLC a business consulting company. He joins the show to share his incredible working class mexican immigrant to successful Mexican American entrepreneur story, and how he's parlayed that into a life as an inspiring author and business coach globally! He shares his own triumphs over adversity early in his life and career and hopes to inspire others to believe in themselves and their dreams. Jose is everyman in many ways-- didn't come from privilege, or access or wealth and yet in spite of the lack of obvious opportunity his story is deeply rooted in resilience, a fighters mentality and a relentless desire to improve his life and more importantly, the lives of others!

We encourage you to go order a copy of his book here; https://www.amazon.com/GET-RING-ENTREPRENEUR%C2%B4S-GUIDE-WORLD/dp/B0BBJ7K9Y1

and to feel free to follow and engage with JOSÉ here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/relentlessjoseochoa/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/joseoch99261764

Website: https://globalcontainers.net/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

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In this fascinating episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Alex González, the once banned from Instagram, Latin America Editor at Rest of World. Rest of World is an international nonprofit journalism organization. They document what happens when technology, culture and the human experience collide, in places that are typically overlooked and underestimated. Alex shares his really unique perspective on the entrepreneurial economy, broader cultural realities and human stories of Mexico and Latin America with us, from his view as a journalist and storyteller. He's a a deep thinker, a long form writer, a bit of a historian, storyteller, publisher, researcher and Cheese monger- some might say, a modern day renaissance man. He shares his interests in the "seismic difference" that technology makes in the world and it's in that where he's found his curiosity satiated, not in the products or technology themselves. He's brutally honest in his assessment of the hype fueled, unicorn chasing fomo culture of "startups" while still being fascinated by the people behind them and the people who consume their services or products. Feel free to follow and engage with ALEX here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-gonzález-ormerod-681433b2/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexgonzor?lang=en Website: https://restofworld.org We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! ¡Salud y gracias!, Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by David Alvo, Founding & Managing Partner at Impacta VC, based in Santiago, Chile. David is as purpose driven and intentional a venture investor, and maybe, a person, as you'll ever meet. The letters "DA", the first two in his name, mean "gives", in Spanish and his life is testament that David is the ultimate "giver" and helper of others. In this conversation he shares his strongly held beliefs that locals in Latin American countries will soon begin to see themselves first at "Latin Americans" and secondarily so, as natives of their home countries (Chile, in David's case). He also shares his deep seated belief in investing and nurturing companies that truly create sustained impact and good for the world. He outlines the investment thesis of Impacta VC, and proves, by the 700+ founder companies his team has reviewed, that finding great companies, that also "do good" is not as hard to find as some think. He shares inspiring personal stories about a few catalytic moments in his life, which shaped his path forward, and invites us as listeners to examine our own priorities.

David is a multiple time founder/operator, Endeavor Entrepreneur and Impact Investor.

Feel free to learn more about and engage with DAVID here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidalvo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidalvo/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidalvo

Website: https://www.impacta.vc/

Website: https://www.endeavor.cl/emprendedores/david-alvo-verdugo/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by the one and only Josué Delgado, the longtimeCEO of INCmty, which is an annual Tec de Monterrey platform event, that connects and encourages entrepreneurs by activating the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He and Ileana discuss stories of witnessing the growth of entrepreneurship across Latin America from the beginning days of the ecosystem in Mexico and companies that have grown up through INCMty. He shares his wonderful personal journey from Aguascalientes, across such diverse industries as Cheese, Furniture, CRM software and now nearly 20 years working within the University.

He invites our guests to learn much more about (and buy tickets) INCMty, the annual event (Nov 15-17 2022, Monterrey, Mexico) and opportunities for Global Investors, Corporate leaders, Family Offices and young entrepreneurs to gather, learn and build relationships. We learn the SXSW inspired birth of the INCMty event in 2013, which has included such notable world leading speakers such as Guy Kawasaki, Richard Branson, Gary Vaynerchuk (including our own Rob Ryan) over 10 years, serving more than 100,000 attendees and 2,500 entrepreneurs from across Latin America and the world.

Feel free to follow, learn more about and engage with JOSUÉ and INCMty here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josueomardelgado/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/delgadojosue

Website: https://www.incmty.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana welcome the unstoppable whirlwind talent from South Florida, Jeanine Suah, Founding Partner at Rezilyent Capital and XIR at Brex. The group discusses the community, capital, racism, opportunity and the future of work. Jeanine brings her entirely unique energy to the conversation, sharing her inspired Jamaican family story, her early entrepreneurial successes and her present and future work in Venture Capital and Startup Finance.

Jeanine is a go-giving entrepreneur, and sociolinguist turned techie. Born to Jamaican parents, she prides herself on being a global citizen who speaks three languages, dances salsa and samba, and has shared meals with strangers in nearly 20 countries.

Known as a super-connector, Jeanine lives by the credo, “Always give more in value than you receive in payment,” and trusts that genuine relationship-building and resilience are the keys to success.

On a personal mission to increase access to capital for underestimated founders by demystifying VC, Jeanine has impacted over 4,000 entrepreneurs in the last two years, and has been featured in Nasdaq, Business Insider, Cheddar TV, NBC, the Miami Herald, and on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine.

Jeanine is an avid ecosystem-builder and Miami tech advocate and has assumed that role through her work as an XIR at Brex, one of the world’s top fintech start-ups, a VC Scout at Florida Funders, and a Venture Partner at Wefunder.

Feel free to follow and engage with JEANINE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaninesuah

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanineSuah

Website: https://www.rezilyent.capital

Website: https://www.brex.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Jeff Wallace, Founder of Global Kinetics and Co-Founder of, "Silicon Valley in Your Pocket." He is a well known, very experienced entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, an active Angel investor and LP Investor into new fund managers. He is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship as an economic engine. He talks to us about his simple, but ambitious belief that the knowledge, relationships and experience of "Silicon Valley" should be accessible to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world, at any time. His passion for the world's founders is contagious. If you're a global founder, or investor who wants access global deal flow, you'll really enjoy this episode.

Jeff's work at Global Kinetics is focused in his market development accelerator to early-to-mid stage clients seeking to establish/expand operations in the US market & a long-standing enterprise mobility industry veteran. He is a Co-Founder of Silicon Valley in Your Pocket (SVIYP), a mobile & online platform that allows global entrepreneurs to access Silicon Valley content, coaching & connections as they build viable businesses. In addition, he is an Executive Board Member to the Rutgers Business School Road to Silicon V/Alley Program (RSVP). He is a Founding Investor of Batchery, a global incubator for tech startups. Jeff is an EIR for SKTA Innopartners. He is an Advisor and Fund Investor for UC Berkeley's incubator, SkyDeck.

He was previously with Cognizant & Brillio where he was founder & Global Practice Head for the Mobility practices & focused on Internet of Things (IoT) & user experience (UX). Prior to this, he was a serial entrepreneur founding several businesses from the mid-1990s. He was awarded the prestigious BridgeGate 20 Award, recognizing him as one of the top 20 business leaders & “difference makers” in S. California’s IT & new media community. He is a mentor and advisor to several Silicon Valley technology accelerators where he advises early to mid stage companies. He is an active angel investor and a member of Berkeley Angel Network. Jeff is a Board member for Innovate Marquette SmartZone in Michigan where he helps support the entrepreneurial eco-system in which new tech-based business ideas can start, grow and succeed. He frequently speaks at international conferences & corporate events & has published extensively about enterprise mobility, UX, IoT & startup / entrepreneurial related topics.

He holds a BA degree in Economics/Finance from Rutgers College & an MBA in Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Technology from UC Berkeley. He is based in San Francisco enjoys the Silicon Valley lifestyle.”

Feel free to follow and engage with JEFF here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwallace913

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwallace913/

Website: https://siliconvalleyinyourpocket.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Will Stringer, CEO/Partner at Chisos Capital. Will educates our audience on the truly innovative business model of their Venture Fund. He shares his story of inventing this solution, when solving his own problem, in classic entrepreneurial fashion. He posits the hypothesis that we could transform entrepreneurial economies, and create more sustainable returns for Investors, by more directly investing into the entrepreneurs themselves- not just companies, or products or FOMO trends. In a world of unending hype and empty promises around "innovation" and "investing in founders", what Will is building at Chisos is actually both.

Chisos is a unique early stage alternative investment company utilizing a Convertible Income Share Agreement to invest at the earliest stages of business ideation and formation.

Will is responsible for creation of the Convertible Income Share Agreement, development of the underwriting and diligence criteria, fundraising, financial planning and general operations of the company. Will is an angel investor and advisor to multiple early stage companies. From October 2018 to January 2020, Will was an advisor to a global payments company working to digitize gold and bring transparency to the gold supply chain. From 2015-2019, Will worked on the investment team at Cockrell Interests, a single family office based in Texas where he managed all phases of illiquid investment execution including sourcing, diligence and ongoing portfolio management.

Prior to Cockrell, Will was an Analyst in the Energy Investment Banking Group of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Will graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in Finance and Business Honors.

Feel free to follow and engage with WILL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wdstringer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wdstringer

Website: https://www.chisos.io/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by, Martin Haiek, the dynamic young CEO/CO-founder of Around, Latin America's largest network of subscription based dedicated workspaces. He talks to us from the kitchen space of the company's Mexico City Headquarters where he shares insights into their journey from ideation, through multiple relaunches, a global pandemic, rapid client growth and venture capital raising. He helps our audience understand the rapidly changing "Future of Work" and how his customers are telling him they expect office spaces to serve their needs today and in the future, and he describes a market in which ultimate flexibility with an array of options is the key. Ileana explores Martin's really unique founder journey... from his world travels, studies and recording in a Berlin music studio made famous by David Bowie, to launching a Craft Brewery in Buenos Aires and moving to Mexico. This episode is a very human, relatable conversation that'll be interesting to you no matter your role in the entrepreneurial economy.

Martin was Born and raised in Argentina, He studied Economics in Buenos Aires and Berlin and completed a Mobile Design and Development program at Hyper Island in Sweden.

Martin had the opportunity of traveling and getting to see firsthand so many countries and diverse cultures in such a short period of time — he says his most valued experiences include recording at the same Berlin-based studio where David Bowie recorded, and launching one of the first craft beer brands in Buenos Aires. Prior to Around, he worked with and advised more than 150+ startups and throughout his early career, he consistently saw "office space" as a main problem when growing their teams.

Feel free to follow and engage with MARTÍN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinhaiek/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martin.haiek/

Website: https://around.to

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Alex Mitchell, the SVP Unlocking Innovation, where he oversees all founder-facing efforts, including recruitment, all incubation programs, as well as investments of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Impact Fund and LACI Cleantech Debt Fund. Alex and our hosts share their enthusiasm for the urgency and opportunity of Clean/Green technology and mobility solutions in today's entrepreneurial economies. Alex emphasizes many of the Innovations in transit and green policymaking across many of Latin America's biggest cities and shares his hopes to bring those here to the United States. He dives deeply into LACI and it's programs, Investment Funds and deep focus on an "Inclusive Green Economy." He highlights LACI's 3 pillars; Unlocking Innovation (startup facing), Market Transformation (Intentional Partnerships with Corporate & Governments) and Enhancing Community (intentional acknowledgement of Cleantech creating "Green Collar Jobs" to far more diverse communities.)

He joined LACI from Groupe PSA in Paris where he was VP of Corporate Strategy, co-leading the company’s acquisition of Opel from General Motors and leading the company’s work on autonomous mobility. Alex previously headed an automotive industry vertical at the World Economic Forum, with a focus on autonomous mobility. Alex has also served as the VP of retail sales at an LA-based EV startup Coda Automotive and worked at Toyota Europe and McKinsey.

Alex is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained an MBA from the Wharton School and an MA from the School of Arts and Sciences as a Fellow of the Lauder Institute Global MBA program. He holds a BA from Stanford University. His rescue dog makes frequent guest appearances on his Zoom calls.

Feel free to follow and engage with ALEX MITCHELL here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmitchell98/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamalexmitchell

Website: https://laincubator.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Eric Eide, Managing Director at the Alliance for Southern California Innovation. Eric is one of the brightest thought leaders and policy catalysts in the Los Angeles and Southern California entrepreneurial economy. He's part policy wonk, part innovation driver, and is a people centered relationship builder. International travel throughout his early life, studies and career really shaped his global view and belief in the massive economic potential of Southern California. He talks about the growth of Venture Capital, Industries and the demographic growth of the region and connecting it to the world.

Eric is an economic development leader with experience in the private sector, and municipal government, and academia. As the Managing Director at the Alliance for Southern California Innovation he leads VC/investment engagement, thought leadership, and innovation community, building efforts with startup communities, local government, and community partners.

Before joining the Alliance, Eric grew the Government Relations team at Bird, an electric scooter company where he expanded operations internationally. Previously, he served as Director of International Trade for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. In this role, Eric worked to increase international business activity, facilitate the import and export of goods, and attract investment to Los Angeles. Eric also served in the U.S. federal government as an Advisor for Strategic Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, where he collaborated with U.S.-based entrepreneurs, firms, and universities with interests in South and Central Asia. In a prior role, Eric represented the U.S. Small Business Administration with the startup community and improved the overall performance of a $2.6 billion federal SBIR program that funds early stage technology companies.

Eric holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan, where his research focused on innovation ecosystems, industrial policy, and globalization

Feel free to follow and engage with ERIC here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eeide/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricEide

Website: https://alliancesocal.org

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas at large!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Alex Santana, VC and Startup Business Development Manager at AWS (Amazon Web Services) in Mexico. Alex shares his really unique "early" perspective having been a witness to the growth of "entrepreneurial economies" across Latin America over the last 10+ years. He tells stories of having helped grow some of the best known global entrepreneurial support organizations, StartUp Weekend, Techstars, SeedStars and NXTP Labs into Latin America and Mexico. Alex's father and grandfather were businessmen who exposed him to life of entrepreneurship. He is a Civil and Industrial Engineer by his studies, whose first technology efforts were in construction, and has now become a well known "community builder" across LatAm. He forecasts his vision of the next chapter of what he calls a "maturing of the entrepreneurial economy" across Latin America and Mexico, which he says was accelerated by the Pandemic.

Prior to his current tenure at AWS, Alex previously served as Regional Manager LATAM at Seedstars, Regional Manager at Techstars, Country Manager at NXTP LABS Mexico and he was a three time startup founder himself in Colombia and Mexico. He and his fiancé Rebecca live together with their beloved cats in Mexico City.

Feel free to follow and engage with ALEX here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsantanag/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexSantanaG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexsantanag/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are thrilled to be joined by one of the original founders in the first generation of the modern day Mexican entrepreneurial economy, Jennifer Reyna, CEO/Co-founder of OkBoy! OkBoy is building a new platform transforming the category of "Home Services" both for consumers and the tens of thousands of small business (PYME) local providers in the "home services" market across Mexico. This episode is about much more than this company though, as we learn Jenny's story as a founder, as a proud Mexicana and as a mother. Jenny's story spans the last 10 years of entrepreneurship in Mexico, as she has built multiple companies from $0 to plus revenue, raised venture capital, and been a well known founder across media and the industry in LatAms. Jenny shares her stories of resilience, "failures" and triumphs building companies Gaszen, DadBox and now OKBoy. She shares inspiration and practical advice for women founders but also for founders of any type. She's a big dreamer, with the talent and skill of an experienced operator.

Prior to her leadership of OKBoy, Jenny created companies focused on impact in the agriculture, energy, and health industries. She has planted cactuses; brought to life a 100% IoT product made in Mexico that sold in 4 different countries; raised capital from angels, national and international venture funds and she’s taken teams from 0 to sales in two different companies. Jenny was previously CSO at DadBox, CO-founder of Gaszen, one of Mexico’s earliest success stories. She lives in Leon, Guanajuato, is a graduate of Tec De Monterrey, a Latitud Fellow and most importantly a loving mother to her son.

Feel free to follow and engage with JENNIFER here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferreynap/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennreynap

Website: https://www.okboy.app/home/

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okboy.app/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this rare episode without an external guest, two great friends, our co-creators, Rob and Ileana, share a very personal conversation about life, adversity, confidence and community. We are so excited to welcome back our fearless co-creator Ileana to the show, following her few month hiatus. In this episode you will hear Ileana share the story behind what kept her away these last few months, and in that journey you'll be inspired and encouraged to never lose faith in life's potential for good, even in your darkest moments of fear and uncertainty.

Feel free to follow and engage with ROB and ILEANA here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmRobRyan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ileanajaf/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanajaf/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers, and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English, and a fun dose of Spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob was so grateful to be joined by one of the most dynamic young founders in Latin America, Sabrina Castelli, Founder and CEO of Mujer FInanciera, Latin America's fastest growing financial education and community platform for Women. Mujer Financiera was one of the 7 projects selected by the Ministry of Production of Argentina to access the 2019 Impact Seed Fund. Its app was chosen as the most innovative solution in Latin America in the Financial Inclusion category at FinnoSummit Mexico 2019 and was awarded at Galicia Innovation in Argentina in November 2019. She shares her tremendously personal story of her upbringing and her mother's experiences, which serve as the "Why" behind her vision for her company. She shares her hugely ambitious vision for her company and she hopes, for the region's potential for greater female empowerment, over the next decade.

Prior to her leadership of Mujer Financiera, Sabrina had a successful career asan Accountant, and later sales executive after having graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors from the University of Buenos Aires. She worked in auditing, finance and financial planning for different multinational companies and Investment Banks, before transitioning to the business side of her career where she grew to become a Regional Sales Manager of more than 60 commercial advisors who sold online products from Argentina across LatAm in (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Argentina and Mexico). Most recently she worked as Commercial and New Business Development Director at a Digital Marketing Boutique Agency for clients such as American Express, Delta Asset Management , Sullair, Banco Mariva, Danone, Toyota, La Nación among others.

Feel free to follow and engage with Sabrina here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinacastelli/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabricastelli/?hl=es

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabricastelli?lang=es

And to know more about Mujer Financiera here:

Website: https://www.mujer-financiera.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mujer-financiera/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mujer_financiera/?hl=es

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MujerFinanciera

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by the dynamic Leslie Feinzaig, Founder and Managing Director of Graham & Walker, a $10m Venture Capital fund and community. Leslie's mission, which began in her Seattle basement, is to reshape the Nasdaq by investing in tech companies founded and led by women or women led/mixed gender teams. She proudly states that her measure of future success, will be " whether there are more women led companies at the future College Job Recruiting fairs of her now young daughters." In 2017 she started a Facebook group for women CEOs of tech companies, which quickly grew to become the most prominent network for women-founded startups and aligned investors in America. In the years since, her company has connected thousands of women founders with hundreds of VC firms across the US and she has launched this new VC fund!

Born and raised in Costa Rica, of Polish and Jewish descent, Leslie's life story is a testament to the value of multi-culturalism. Leslie moved to the US to attend Harvard Business School, after completing her undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics. She has since been named one of Forbes Most Powerful Women from Central America, the Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40, and Seattle Magazine's Most Influential People. Leslie serves on the Boards of the Harvard Business School Equity and Entrepreneurship Initiative, the Washington Technology Industry Association and the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. She is also a contributing writer for Fast Company, TechCrunch and Entrepreneur and Fortune Magazine.

Feel free to follow and engage with Leslie here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeslieFeinzaig?s=20&t=-DyFpHjfhJy9PAnLRA8T_g

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lesliefeinzaig

Website: https://grahamwalker.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by the talented and thoughtful Miki Reynolds, CEO/Co-Founder of Grid110, a Los Angeles based early stage startup accelerator and community development non-profit organization. Miki shares her decade + experiences in building the entrepreneurial economy of LA, intentionally serving under-served founder communities and the rules of the game of venture capital. She tells an incredible story of the evolution and pivots within the Grid110 program, from the initial idea in DTLA to a dynamic nationally scaling program today. Miki tells her own growth story professionally evolving from thinking of herself as a classic organizational Number 2, or a “VP of Getting-Shit-Done” to the dynamic CEO, respected leader and more than capable Number One that she is now.

Since 2014, Miki has focused on activating the startup ecosystem in Los Angeles by fostering community, and connecting the dots for entrepreneurs through access to mentoring and critical resources. Prior to founding Grid110, Miki launched the Downtown LA location for tech education company General Assembly.

Miki is a critical part of the LA startup ecosystem and has accepted commendations from Mayor Eric Garcetti on behalf of General Assembly and Grid110. She has been recognized by LA Biz Journal as a Woman of Influence, was named to Techweek’s #Techweek100, and sits on advisory councils for two of the Mayor's diversity inclusion initiatives: PledgeLA and WiSTEM LA.

Feel free to follow and engage with Miki Reynolds here:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikireynolds/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikster/?hl=es

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikster?s=20&t=lD7Wrq7hPyl54ai2cbMwLg

Program website: https://www.grid110.org

Personal website: http://www.mikireynolds.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob is joined by his friend, Isaac McCoy, who shares his unique perspective on the critical work of inclusiveness and creating economic access to entrepreneurial activity in under-served communities of color, from his hometown of Chicago, to the Southern United States and the world. Isaac is a natural leader, and has leveraged that skill to build a number of consulting companies, a Private Equity investment firm and serve a stint in President Obama’s administration.

Isaac is the co-founder of the Jamii Group, a social impact and business development firm working with up and coming businesses as well as Fortune 500 brands. Dedicated to educating the next generation of business leaders and influencers, Isaac currently serves as the Dean of the School of Business at historic Stillman College, an HBCU (Historically Black College & University) in Alabama. His vision and strategy focuses on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Technology, Accreditation, Fundraising, Globalization, Civic Engagement and Responsibility.

A former White House Appointee in the Obama Administration, he led economic policies and initiatives to support the growth and sustainability of minority-owned businesses.

Isaac served as a Global Innovation Fellow, within the US State Department, a select group of emerging entrepreneurs and innovators who are committed to international dialogue that promotes shared economic prosperity and inclusive innovation in and between American and Chinese markets.

Feel free to follow and engage with Isaac McCoy here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacmccoy/

Website: https://thejamiigroup.com/

Email: imccoy@stillman.edu

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by super connector/visionary, Dave Whelan, CEO of BioscienceLA, an innovative catalyst for Life Science and Health Innovation in Los Angeles. If you are an entrepreneur or investor in Life/Bio/Health Sciences, you'll want to hear what Dave has to say. He talks about Los Angeles's unique opportunity to grow its Life/Health sciences entrepreneurial economy. He proudly articulates his belief that LA is positioned to leverage its diversity, economic size, creativity, innovative universities, private capital and leading global companies to become a global leader in the future of the bio/life/health sciences-tech economy over the next 50-100 years. He is a hobby photographer, retired university DJ and overall, maybe the most kind person in LA!

As a consultant, advisor, entrepreneur, and operating executive, Dave has devoted his career to building successful businesses, from strategic, operational, financial, and human capital standpoints. He served as Chief Strategy Officer of the New York Genome Center and collaborated on development of the business plan, fundraising of $115 million, and operational launch. He launched one of the first fitness tracking wearable device companies, alongside 24 Hour Fitness. He is a Mentor at the Cedars Sinai Accelerator, Founding Member of the UCLA CEO Forum, Principal Advisor to the LARTA Institute, co-founder of the Stanford Ideas and Connections Network and a loving husband, dad and master relationship builder. He holds an MBA with Honors from the UCLA Anderson School of Business and an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.

Feel free to follow and engage with Dave here:

Twitter: @djwhelan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djwhelan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djwhelan

Instagram: @djwhelan

Website: https://www.biosciencela.org

TikTok: @djwhelan

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by Tadashi Takaoka, Gerente General, Socialab Chile. He challenges us to begin a conversation about this pivotal moment for entrepreneurship in Latin America and the world at large. He brings a unique sense of history, borne of his experiences as one of the original leaders of entrepreneurial innovation in Chile and Latin America through his long career in the private sector and government. In this episode Tadashi dives deeply into the questions around "what is social innovation?" "Can entrepreneurship involve real social impact?" and "is our current model of entrepreneurial economic development working or not?"

Tadashi Takaoka is an Industrial Civil Engineer by education and has a Master's in Operations Management from the University of Chile. His areas of specialization are innovation and entrepreneurship, being one of the few existing executives in Chile that has studied and executed this subject from five different fronts: Consultant, General Manager, Entrepreneur, University Professor and Manager of a business accelerator. His professional strengths lie in business strategy, rapid testing of innovative business models and total autonomy to obtain high-impact results with low resource use. He was in charge of innovation entrepreneurship in Chile as Entrepreneurship Manager of Corfo and today he works as General Manager at Socialab Chile.

Feel free to follow and engage with TADASHI here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tadashitakaoka?lang=es

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadashitakaoka/?originalSubdomain=cl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadashi.takaoka/?hl=es

Website: https://socialab.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, recorded in the Fall of 2021, Rob and Ileana are joined by one of the OG Latino American and Mexican Venture Investors, Federico Antoni, founding partner at ALLVP. He has been a leading catalyst and passionate advocate for the entrepreneurial economies of the region for the last 10+ years and joined our show to share his unique perspectives gained over those years when there were very few peers alongside him. If there were a theme of this episode with Fede though, it was not about Fede at all, it was all about "the people, the people, the people." He joins Ileana and Rob to discuss some of the best and brightest young founders in the region. He shares his unique perspective on how the region has arrived at this moment, and what will be required to thrive, as both founders and investors, in the coming years.

In 2012, Federico founded (ALLVP), the first institutional early-stage venture capital fund in the Mexico. Federico has successfully raised two Funds focused on Seed, Series A, and Series B investments. His team has overseen 25 investments to-date, with some of the most reputable and leading companies in the region, across four sectors: FinTech, Digital Consumer, Healthcare, and Smart Cities. Federico, who is a husband and proud father, is a frequent TechCrunch contributor, is also an Entrepreneurship and Management Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received his MBA in 2004. He also holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Applied Economics from Paris Dauphine.

Feel free to follow and engage with Federico here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/federicoantoni

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mantoni

Website: https://www.allvp.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Daniel Verdugo Bosnic, an accomplished ultra-marathoner, competitive athlete, software engineer, world traveler and dedicated father and husband. Daniel challenges our audience to lean into their curiosity and fail often while taking big swings in life because the joy is in the journey! He joined our hosts from his new home in Miami Florida, United States, where he has ambitiously relocated his family in order to pursue his curiosity for expanding his Chilean company. After an early career within IBM Chile, and 16+ years of tremendous success creating and growing his multi-million dollar per year revenue company in Chile, Daniel, now in his late 40's, decided to bet on his vision to break beyond the comfort of his life in Chile to build something bigger.

Daniel is the Founder and CEO of Aligare, which now compromises two companies, Aligare Chile and Aligare International. Both companies are technology development companies, that provide software development services and products to the leading company brands in the Chilean market, and are now aggressively expanding to service similar clients across the USA and Latin America in the telecommunications, media, retail, financial services and adjacent industries, via their offices in Miami.

Daniel is a graduate of the University de Chile, with a degree in Civil Engineering, and he also holds a Masters in Business Management from Adolfo Ibáñez University, in Santiago Chile and is currently enrolled in courses at MIT for the development of innovative processes, toward his Advanced Certificate for Executives in Management, Innovation and Technology.

Feel free to follow and engage with Daniel here:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-verdugo-bosnic-9643187

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibosnic

Website: https://www.aligare.cl

Email: contacto@aligare.cl

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana are joined by Mariano Gonzalez Vasconcelos from San Antonio, Texas. Mariano, is a devout gamer, who shares his inspiring life journey from a small town in Mexico, to the United States, Northwestern University, a top tier career in Strategy Consulting and the launching of his life long dream to become a Venture Capitalist investing in others. He discusses his unique experiences in both cultures, his realizations about our increasingly "online/remote" world while also highlighting a few of the stories of incredible founders and their companies which he has backed recently.

Mariano is the Founder and General Partner of MGV Capital Group, a venture capital firm enabling massive growth for early-stage digital ventures across the U.S. and Mexico.

He partners with exceptional founders who apply computer science to solve complex, large-scale problems. He helps entrepreneurs develop profitable and self-sustaining businesses to attract strategic buyers or growth financing. Mariano's areas of focus are Fintech, Consumer Technology, and Enterprise Software.

As a Founder, he has launched several startups in professional services, retail, technology, and gaming. His global perspective includes engagements in the U.S., U.K., Mexico, Germany, Peru, Colombia, and South Korea.

Mariano holds an MBA (with Distinction) from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

He has authored multiple articles on M&A, technology strategy, and gaming, and is the recipient of the Booz & Company Professional Excellence Award, the EKI Leadership Award, and others.

Feel free to follow and engage with Mariano here:

Twitter: @mgv_cv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianogonvas/
Correo: mariano@mgvcapitalgroup.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team.

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana welcome Miguel (Mike) Medina, Co-founder of Plerk, a (YC) Y Combinator funded company from Mexico. Mike shares his incredible personal story, a conventional path turned unconventional path when forced to make hard life choices, at an early age. His journey takes us through a lifetime of sales/selling, from his earliest childhood, hustling to sell candies at school, to a university aged sales intern with big global companies such as Apple, Danone and eventually Rappi, one of Latin America's earliest fast growth companies. Mike shares his humble advice and perspectives learned during his young, but full entrepreneurial life.

Mike is one of Mexico’s up and coming new entrepreneurs at just 30 years old. A 4th-year drop-out while studying for his Bachelor in Industrial Engineering at Tec de Monterrey. With more than 15 years of experience in sales, growth, expansion, marketing and more. He has been part of some of the biggest brand companies in the world, as a Campus Representative and Commercial Assistant at Apple and Danone. Also, an early employee of the LatAm leader, Rappi where he was regional General Manager, launching many new country and city markets throughout Latin America.

Feel free to follow and engage with Mike here:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikemedina20
Twitter: @MikeDePlerk
Website: https://www.plerk.io

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Ileana and Rob welcome the founder of KindTail, Amy Kim, from Los Angeles. Amy is an artist turned top product designer in the automotive and consumer space, turned pet products entrepreneur as the inventor and visionary behind the fast growing company, KindTail. She launched their flagship product, PAWD, the plastic collapsable dog crate and has built the company from there. Her bootstrapped company has had wild early success with direct sales online, and distribution through big brand retail partners such as Chewy, Bloomingdales, Walmart and Amazon. Amy shares her inspired story as a first time founder, and drops some incredible insights and encouraging words for female founders everywhere about self-belief, taking chances, understanding your customers, asking for help and just "going for it!" Amy is a Multi-faceted designer experienced in product development for large corporations, start-ups and consultancies. Over the course of her career prior to launching KindTail, she worked as a Vice President of Prosper Technologies and Industrial Designer for Valve Corporation, in Los Angeles, a Senior Product Design Consultant for Kaleidoscope in New York City, where she worked on accounts with such global brands as Microsoft Xbox, Proctor & Gamble and Ford Motors, and she began her career working at BMW, Nissan and the Ford Motor Company. She is an active mother of 2 boys, a dog mom and wife. Amy and her family live in Los Angeles. Feel free to follow and engage with Amy here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-kim-8a0666a/ Instagram: @amy_craycray Instagram: @kindtailco Instagram: @kindtail_puppies Website: https://kindtail.com We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! ¡Salud y gracias!, Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob (flying solo without our absent but amazing co-host Ileana) welcomes the founder of Lalo, Juan Medina, from Seattle, WA. Juan is the definition of nomad, having been born in Brazil, to Colombian and Bolivian parents who then grew up in Kentucky, USA and attended university and built his early career all across the United States. He and his family are now happily settled in Seattle Washington. He shares the unique story, of standing at his Father's grave, and being inspired to build Lalo, his company, which deals with two of life's universal truth; Death and our Memories. He also talks about the struggle to "fit" the patterns of modern day VC as an under-represented founder of color.

Juan is an experienced executive leader and first time entrepreneur, with a passion for developing people and building new ventures. His 20+ years experience came across Healthcare, Retail, Private Brand and Cloud computing with a few major global brand companies. He served as Director Marketing, Ambulatory Care at Cardinal Health, Sr. Manager Vendor Management at Amazon, Sr Manager Strategic Initiatives at AWS and Senior Manager across multiple product areas, again at Amazon.

Feel free to follow and engage with Juan here:

Twitter: @AtJuanMedina

LinkedIn: @juanemedina

Correo: juan@lalo.app

Lalo App: https://www.lalo.app

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ile, welcome Ileana Gonzalez, from San Antonio, Texas. Ileana is an up-and-coming millennial venture capital leader in the San Antonio and Texas entrepreneurial economy who shares her story of immigrating to the United States from Mexico. She discusses her experiences in the Texas entrepreneurial economies while discussing the Techstars Anywhere program and the challenges of being a Mexicana in a macho/male dominated entrepreneurial world on both sides of the border. Ileana has been a leader in her community since her days as Student Body President, and Miss UTSA, at University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA), where she fell in love with the creativity and possibilities of entrepreneurship. She learned VC while working for Texas’ leading venture/acceleration community, the Capital Factory, where she was a Senior Venture Associate. Currently she is a Venture Associate at Techstars, the global entrepreneurial support community. She is the leader of their new “Techstars Anywhere” program, which was one of the first entrepreneurship programs in the world to “go virtual and global” in response to the pandemic. Ileana’s job finds and screens pre-seed startups in preparation for admission into the Techstars Anywhere accelerator cohort. Feel free to follow and engage with Ileana here: Twitter: @ileanagonzxlez LinkedIn: @ileanagonzxlez Correo/Email: ileana.gonzalez@techstars.com We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers, and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Plug in, relax, and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of Spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate, and empower you, so that you can build the future! ¡Salud y gracias! Mentors Today's Team.

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana welcome a uniquely qualified and talented 1st time political candidate here in the City of Los Angeles, California, USA. Dulce Vasquez.

What is remarkable about Dulce is the story behind the journey she and her family made to the United States, as a one-time undocumented immigrant (Tampiqueña, from Tampico, Mexico) and how she has maximized her opportunities over the course of her millennial life while striving to do even more now in a political campaign where all the odds are stacked against her. Like so many of the entrepreneurs we have on our show, Dulce represents “the future,” progress and representation. She’ll share some context on Los Angeles, her policy vision, the story of her family’s support and finally the story of how a pandemic shone a light on her neighbors needs and inspired her to run for office.

Dulce is an active community volunteer, wife, dog mom and very experienced public policy professional who graduated from two of the best Universities in the USA, with an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate degree from UCLA, (University of California at Los Angeles) before going to work for one of the most innovative Universities in the country, Arizona State University at their LA campus.

Feel free to follow and engage with Dulce here:

Facebook: Dulce Vasquez for Los Angeles

Twitter: @vasquezdulce

Instagram: @vasquezdulce

Tiktok: @vasquezdulce

DONATE HERE: https://www.dulcevasquez.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers, and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax, and enjoy some Spanish, English, and a fun dose of Spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate, and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Rob and Ileana welcome a great, long time friend of Rob's, Yogi Roth, from right here in Los Angeles. Yogi is an accomplished professional storyteller, across multiple mediums including his primary work as the Analyst, for American college football, at the Pac 12 networks.

Ileana, Rob and Yogi talk about how critically important effective storytelling is to every entrepreneur and their company and their customers/audience. Yogi highlights that no matter how overused the word "storytelling" may seem in popular culture, it is a required skill in today's content heavy world. He drops some incredible wisdom through his specific coaching on "how to" and "why" as well as his 3 pieces of mentor advice, but he also wows us with some of his own life stories. Just listening to how he communicates on this episode will be an enduring masterclass for anyone who is trying to craft "their story".

Yogi was an American college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, then championship coach at University of Southern California, before embarking on his film/television/writing and media careers. He is an award winning Independent Film Maker (Life in a Walk/link below), NY Times best selling author, and regular television creator/producer, with a new Film releasing in 2022. He's an avid surfer, Yoga practitioner and is a loving husband and dad to his wife Amy and their two boys, here in Los Angeles.

Feel free to follow and engage with Yogi, his film, and even his wife Amy's startup, KindTail Co, at these links here:

http://yogiroth.com

https://twitter.com/YogiRoth

https://www.instagram.com/yogiroth

https://www.facebook.com/yogiroth

http://www.lifeinawalk.com/

https://kindtail.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by Ian Paul Otero, one of the Founding Partners at Redwood Ventures, one of Mexico's earliest seed funds. Ian shares some extraordinarily detailed insights into the history and performance of Redwood's Fund 1, as well as his teams motivations and aspirations for their Fund 2, their expansion into USA via their new Austin Texas office and their profile for the sorts of founders and businesses they love to invest in. Ian and his partners Marco and Alejandro were some of the earliest supporters of Mexico's most vibrant local entrepreneurial economy, Guadalajara, and they continue to be huge advocates of founders, and of greater collaboration and transparency in the entrepreneurial economy as a whole.

As you'll hear Ian brings a unique range of legal, public policy, economics and investment experience to the building of Redwood. As he says, he's not your typical Venture Capitalist. He is experienced in the design and execution of projects related to innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, venture capital and merger & acquisitions. He worked for several private companies and government agencies leading teams related to these topics like PEMEX, City of Zapopan, Red Bean Strategies and the Mexican National Secretary of Economy among others. Ian has a Bachelor degree in Law and a MBA from IPADE. He also has professional certificates in entrepreneurship, innovation, and private capital at UC Berkeley and Harvard.

Feel free to follow and engage with Ian here:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/iotero

https://twitter.com/redwood_mx

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-paul-otero-31168427/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob are grateful to be joined by our first guest from Nicaragua/Central America. This unique multi-cultural, multi-generational team that’s come together across borders to empower and enable female health care, specifically sexual health and wellness of young women in Central and Latin America. The Lily Project team has successfully helped tens of thousands of young women from its origins in rural Nicaragua, but today’s conversation explores the team's ambition to do more, and their coming launch of the “Chava” app/platform. Their growth of a for-profit technology based startup will take their localized impact in women’s healthcare and scale it regionally and globally. They joined us from their investor tour of the USA in late November.

The project, in all its forms, is the “Why” for Anielka, a young, university educated mother of one, and her operational and strategic partners, Jonathan Butcher and Susan Cotton. Jonathan and Susan met one another while studying for their Masters Degrees at the Pepperdine University, School of Social Entrepreneurship in Los Angeles, California, USA. Jonathan is an experienced operator in the hospitality industry with companies such as Marriott, Oakwood, and local experience with the Nicaraguan Initiative for Community Advancement who has a passion for life in Central America. Susan provides her decades of executive marketing and growth expertise with big brand companies such as WellPoint, Cal Fed and Bank America in the USA to help scale this new project to it's full potential!

Feel free to follow and engage with Anielka, Susan and Jonathan here:

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anielkamedina/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanscotton/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanzanebutcher/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lily-project/

Website:

https://www.thelilyproject.org/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA!

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

¡Salud y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Fran Oliva, Founding Partner at Plaintext Capital, shares his belief in the emerging crytpo-economy! He educates us on the central role that decentralized finance and crypto technologies will play in not just our "fintech" structures of the future, but our social, cultural and even governmental institutions. He shares the story behind he and his partners launching of Plaintext Capital, as well as their investment thesis and profile of the sorts of investments and teams they'll invest in as they move forward.

Underlying Fran's educational and professional experience with JP Morgan, HSBC and a startup of his own creation, is a fascinating personal journey that has him sprinkled with the cultural roots of Argentine parents, a Spanish upbringing, European education and professional start in the Wall Street USA world of big finance. He's one of this powerful generation of Millennial and Gen Z leaders who are building the future for us whom we can all learn from.

Feel free to follow and engage with Fran here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/frenplaintext

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/folivavelez/

Websites: https://www.plaintextcapital.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Ideally, Season 3 will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this season ending episode, Ileana and Rob reflect on the incredible guests, stories and personal experiences we've endured during this Season 2 and our ongoing global pandemic during the first half of 2021. As always, there's laughter, honesty, thoughts on how we got here and excitement for where we're going together. The team shares some cool announcements about our new teammates joining us, as well as our plans to bring another 10-12 episodes to you, in a new Season 3, during the remainder of 2021.

Season 2 brought us incredible conversations with these talented leaders, investors and builders throughout the entrepreneurial economies of The Americas;

Juan Conde, Episode 13: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyercount/

Jolynn Vallejo, Episode 14: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnvallejo/

Pablo Ximenez de Sandoval, Episode 15: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-xim%C3%A9nez-de-sandoval-0a180325/

Taj Ahmad Eldridge, Episode 17: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajahmadeldridge/

Anna Raptis, Episode 18: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-raptis-cfa-1433b2/

Meghan Stevenson-Krausz, Episode 19: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghansk/

Santiago San Martin, Episode 20: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-san-martin-a825a322/

Jessica Bedoya, Episode 21: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bedoya-a556941b1/

Feel free to follow and engage with us here:

Instagram: @mentorstoday

OR

Ileana: @ileanajaf (twitter) (IG)

Rob: @iamrobryan (twitter) (IG)

GrowthHax: @growthhax (twitter) (IG)

We're so grateful for you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the marginalized/under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Plug in, relax and enjoy our English, Spanish and fun doses of spanglish conversations from Mexico and Los Angeles connecting with the best and brightest people from points unknown throughout the Americas.

Please subscribe, follow and review on your podcast platforms as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future!

Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Jessica Bedoya, states her powerful case for the future of female led entrepreneurial economies of Latin America! This dynamic and determined, first woman Chief of Staff and Executive Advisor to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, joins Ileana and Rob to share her story and help our audience understand the role and relevance of IDB ( https://www.iadb.org/en/fin ) and their IDB LAB venture arm (https://bidlab.org/en ) in building the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, in particular, Latin America and the Caribbean. Jessica is a trailblazing leader, breaking barriers not only through her work, but through her presence inside of the IDB. She is an experienced public policy maker, skilled political officer and diplomat! She has built her career as a Policy Analyst, and Political Officer in the US State Department, served as the Deputy Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere Affairs to the US White House and as Managing Director & Senior Advisor to the CEO of Western Hemisphere at the US International Development Finance Corporation.

In addition to the work she and her team do to finance and empower entrepreneurs throughout Latin America, Jessica's personal story is an inspiration to any Latina, whether American Latina, or localized Latinas throughout the region. She is a 1st generation American, daughter of a Colombian father and Ecuadorian mother, borne and raised in Rob's hometown, Chicago! A great love story and and many great lessons from her mom on grit, determination and self pride as a Latina.

Jessica passionately makes her case that right now, is "the moment" to invest in the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, as well as the long overdue moment to amplify, invest in and support women leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere!

Feel free to follow and engage with Jessica here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaLBedoya

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bedoya-a556941b1/

Websites: https://www.iadb.org/en/about-us/overview and https://bidlab.org/en

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the marginalized/under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by one of the most dynamic young advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and opportunity in Latin America. Santiago San Martin, the Country Manager, Mexico, for the global technology services giant, Globant! Santi joins the show from Mexico City, where at a mere age of 33 years old, he oversees Globant's sprawling businesses in Mexico, and it's more than 2,500 employees! For long time followers of the Latin American entrepreneurial economy, Globant is one of Argentina's original global companies, and the original "Unicorn" in the region.

Santiago shares his POV, through the lens of his unique life experience; coming out, being supported by the Globant culture and working inside the male dominated, too often machismo tech industry. He helps our audience understand that in the end, diversity/equality/inclusiveness, is really about talent and representation! He shares some great examples that show whether building companies or products, that the best of both result when being built by a diverse group of people that look like the markets they serve. He's a humble, but confident advocate and communicator and we're sure you'll find inspiration and empowerment in this conversation.

Please also follow and engage with Santiago here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SanSanMartin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-san-martin-a825a322/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/junio-santiago-san-martin-he-him-/?trackingId=Ryyr%2B5qaQnyDp%2FaBOaWt%2Bg%3D%3D

Websites: https://www.globant.com/

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the marginalized/under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob explore the fascinating, bridge building, personal story of Meghan Stevenson-Krausz, one of Latin America's leading Venture Capital Investors, and leading advocates for female inclusion in the Latin American entrepreneurial economy. Meghan's vulnerability is incredibly authentic and inspiring. In sharing some not often publicly discussed parts of her journey, she shows us how some people's conditions may literally predestine their later paths. Meghan's work and impact today, traces back to her childhood in a multicultural, multi-religious family growing up in West Philadelphia, a historically diverse neighborhood. Our conversation takes us from her youth to present day, while highlighting a few of Peru's hottest up & coming founders alongside Meghan challenging the systems of "white privilege". Meghan seems much more like a "one woman movement" than a typical VC and she inspired us to do more and be better as we all strive to build sustainable vibrant entrepreneurial economies in the Americas! Enjoy this conversation with one of the young leaders in Latin American venture capital and entrepreneurial economy building! Please follow and connect with Meghan via these links: Twitter: @meghan_sk Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/meghansk Websites: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inca-ventures/about/ https://www.inclusivx.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinvest-latam/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the marginalized/under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob are talking breakthrough progress in the Latin American entrepreneurial economy, with Anna Raptis, founding General Partner at Amplifica Capital. Anna is fearlessly building the first Woman Led/operated Venture Capital firm in LatAm. But beyond that, she's building this fund with a gender focused lens, to not only fund opportunities for female founders, but by leveraging female investors for a majority of Amplifica's invested capital! She's doing something which simply hasn't yet been done in Latin America. She's purposefully committed to activating women in the economies of Latin America!

Enjoy this conversation with one of the ground breakers in Latin American venture capital and entrepreneurial economy building!

Please follow and connect with Anna via these links:

Twitter:@AnnaRaptis01

Linkedin:linkedin.com/in/anna-raptis-cfa-1433b2

Website:https://www.amplifica.capital/

https://donadora.org/campanas/mujeres-invirtiendo

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the marginalized/under-represented entrepreneurial communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds.

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by a self described Economic Artist and Rapper Poet, Taj Ahmad Eldridge, General Partner at Include Venture Partners. Taj shares his inspiring story of growth, empathy and musical creativity, which has led him to this exact moment in time, in 2021, when he has decided to focus his immense energies into the twin pillar issues that he believes define our new era we've permanently entered during this pandemic;

"Diversity of economic power via increased Venture investment into marginalized, under-represented communities"
"Climate and Clean-tech problems and opportunities."

Enjoy this conversation with one of the young Builders who will shape the next 50 years of our entrepreneurial economies in the America's and listen all the way to the end, to hear him sneak peek his firm's future LatAm office location!

Please follow and find Taj via these links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajahmadeldridge/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Econoahmad

https://www.vcinclude.com/

https://dot.la/taj-eldridge-2650981297.html

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds.

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob decided to "hit record" and turned an unexpectedly open date on their recording schedule into a fun/funny conversation between two friends about the social audio phenomenon of @joinclubhouse (Clubhouse audio app), some cool recent events at GrowthHax, Rob's lack of drinking alcohol during the pandemic and the importance of Women's History Month! It's a fun opportunity to get to know Ileana and Rob a bit more personally.... and enjoy some fun Spring Break content. The regular show returns the week after Spring Break and then again every 2 weeks as usual, with amazing upcoming guests; incredibly talented VC investors from all over the America's talking Climate, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Economic Opportunity, Taj Eldridge (Los Angeles), Anna Raptis (Mexico City) and Meghan Stevenson-Krausz (Peru) We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

On this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by Pablo Ximénez de Sandoval, Editorial Columnist at El Pais, the world's largest Spanish language newspaper. As we'd say in the USA, El Pais is the "paper of record" for the Spanish speaking world much the same as the New York Times is for the USA. Pablo is a gifted journalist who brings his unique insights on "California" to our show. His perspective was honed over 6+ years (2014-2021) covering California, interviewing the most powerful elected officials, titans of industry as well as Hollywood stars, while also exploring this "Nation-state's" relationship with Mexico y Latinoamerica, while living in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles, with his loving wife, and two daughters! Pablo joined us from Madrid, Spain, where his family has recently returned. The show dives into politics, history, immigration, economic and cultural soft power, the unique ingredients that create the entrepreneurial spirit of California, as well as its uniquely shared history with both Mexico and Spain. As we learn, you cannot discuss the Latin American experience of the last 300 years, or the Global experience of the next 100 years, without beginning and ending in California!

Please follow and enjoy Pablo's work via these links:

https://elpais.com/autor/pablo-ximenez-de-sandoval/

Twitter: @pximenez

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds.

Plug in, relax and enjoy some Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, follow and review as it helps others find the show. Share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow and discover new opportunities. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

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On this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by Jolynn Vallejo, (recently) former Director of LatinSF, an innovative collaboration between GlobalSF & the City of San Francisco. She is an accomplished Economic Development leader, with an expertise in building bridges between Silicon Valley/Bay Area and Latin America. Jolynn is a powerhouse. A musician, relationship builder and single Girl Mom with an incredible story as an Ecuadorian American. She has deep roots and love for her home city of San Francisco, as well as the country of some of her most formative years, Ecuador! An accomplished student of both the Berklee School of Music as well as UC Berkeley, she makes it 2 for 2 on GOBears guests on this season's episodes! She shares her deep thoughts about the current state of entrepreneurialism in Silicon Valley, the pandemic effect, the challenges and opportunities of building in LatAm and for LatAm founders building in the Bay Area and so much more. We could have talked for hours with Jolynn and we can’t wait to have her back on the show, as well as to watch her next big career steps building on her passion for entrepreneurial economies in LatAm and USA. We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds. Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe and review as it helps others find the show, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

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On this episode, Ileana and Rob are joined by Juan Conde, the Founding Partner at Novus Concilium, one of Mexico's leading tech/startup/IP law firms. Conde is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Law, as well as Universidad Anáhuac. He joins the show from his home in San Francisco. He gives our audience (and both our under-informed hosts) a brief masterclass on Smart Contracts, how they fit into the larger blockchain and crypto conversation and how they'll be useful in the future. He dives deep with some great examples, as well as 3 pieces of terrific mentor advice for our audience.

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds.

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe and review as it helps others find the show, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire, educate and empower you, so that you can build the future! Salud y Gracias!

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

We're so excited about Season Two's potential to shape the sorts of meaningful and fun conversations which will encourage and mentor our listeners to go out into their communities and build the better new world we all need. As Ileana says in this episode, "Season One, we guessed what was going to happen as a result of the pandemic, but it was all rooted in the past ways of 2019, whereas in Season Two, now we can talk about the future with some sense of what things are really going to be like." We're so grateful to our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and now, the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, Season Two will bridge you between these two deeply interdependent worlds.

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe and review as it helps others find the show, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire and empower you! Salud y Gracias!

Sponsorships: off for this episode

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Ileana and Rob are so excited to be back for a bigger, longer and more global Season 2 of the pod! We're so grateful to our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, builders, influencers and those interested in the entrepreneurial economies of Latin America and now, the LatinX communities in the USA! Ideally, our show serves as a bridge for you to navigate this world so you can help us build a better future, while we and our mentor guests help you build your own futures.

Episode 1 is a Welcome Back, look back over the intensity of a pandemic dominated 2020, and a peek forward into pandemic realities of 2021 and beyond. Ileana perfectly encapsulates the pressing challenges and opportunities of our time, while Rob encourages entrepreneurs to rise to this unique moment in history.

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe and review as it helps others find the show, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions or comments about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire and empower you! Salud y Gracias!

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Ileana and Rob are joined for this incredibly important conversation, by a leading voice in the future of the Education industry in Latin America, Señor Rafael Lorenzo Piñon, Director Innovative Entrepreneurship Ecosystems, at Tecnológico De Monterrey, Mexico. Rafa is a great friend of the show, and very naturally engages with Ileana and Rob in a continuing conversation that is on everyone's mind during this pandemic, "How will we all educate our young people, and how/where will we work when the pandemic is controlled?" They discuss questions such as " Is this change permanent or just an exception in history?" "has the pandemic been an accelerant to advancing trends?" This episode will be important for young founders building in the EdTech space, as much as it will be important for University administrators and corporate chiefs to consider as we go forward.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlorenzop/

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire and empower you! Salud y Gracias!

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Ileana and Rob get together from Guadalajara and Los Angeles, for an important, very personal conversation around the timely topic of “Imposter Syndrome” in entrepreneurship today. They share some private stories from their lives, as both a millennial Latina, and as a Gen X American Dad, and they provide a list of useful tips for you on how to identify and deal with your own struggles. There’s also a link below, to a useful self-test, shared with us by one of our great fans, Andy Ramcke in Guadalajara, through which you can get a sense of your own insecurities. The team also fields a terrific question from a young Founder/CEO from Monterrey, Mexico, Irelda Ceballos in the second half of the show. We hope that our conversations help you realize that none of you are alone, that we all go through this at different times, and that there are practical tactical ways to address it in your life!

https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions about anything you’re thinking about or need help with, to be featured on future episodes. We're here to help inspire and empower you! Salud y Gracias!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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This week, Ileana and Rob continue to experiment with the format exploring the most impactful way to help entrepreneurs learn and grow. They invite (2) amazing Latin American/global entrepreneurs into the studio to record a roundtable of founder questions.

Andreana Castellanos, Founder/CEO of Afinidata, an AI- data driven educational platform company, from Guatemala & Fort Collins, Colorado USA, joins us alongside Mario Gil, Founder/CEO of Bederr, the payments & rewards platform, from Lima, Peru.

The pair bring their own questions to the conversation, and Ileana, Rob and the founders dive deeply into those questions. Andreana raises some incredible points regarding the challenges of being an entrepreneur, no matter where you’re from, or who you are, and Mario pulls the conversation into the deeply1 personal choices founders make around “co-founders”, finding them, dealing with them and more. A fun conversation between four friends meant to help you entrepreneurs throughout Latin America to remember you’re never alone out there. The group talks capital raising, team building and global growth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariogil/

linkedin.com/in/andreana-castellanos-587185106

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to Please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions to be featured on future episodes. Salud and Gracias

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This week, Ileana and Rob welcome their first VIP Guest mentor, Sergio Borromei, joins in from Santiago, Chile, for a fun conversation around the "the Intersection of Creativity and Entrepreneurship." Sergio, otherwise known as the "Cowboy Coder" or "Maxolydian" to his music fans on Spotify, takes us on his journey from 11 year old classically trained musician, to university graduate/junior coder in an Argentine Bank, to the 2020 sale of he and his partners' company, Lagash, to the LatAm giant, Mercado Libre. He uses his simultaneous love for music and software, to inspire our audience to find their own hidden creative talents and inspires young entrepreneurs to tap into one, to serve the other. Sergio sticks around to help answer (2) terrific questions from LatAm entrepreneurs, firstly Michelle, who asks about "Validating a No-code concept in today's world", followed by Daniela, from Colombia, who asks "is the pandemic the right time to raise capital?"

https://www.instagram.com/maxolydian/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6MuIsCqqh1Btq8etQ0Nx3t?si=qb1nvdu8RPavZoSkzQoFdw

Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to Please click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions to be featured on future episodes. Salud and Gracias!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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During this pandemic era life when our daily news cycle is so sour and serious, Ileana and Rob bring some fresh fun energy to this week's conversation, by revealing their Top 10 List of the opportunities and challenges for LatinX entrepreneurs these next few years. And as with each episode, our entrepreneurs from around the Americas drop-in with timely questions on the challenges they face. We've got a super talented data focused entrepreneur from Guatemala sharing her questions, alongside a music industry disruptor from Mexico City wondering about how to choose his investors. Plug in, relax and enjoy in Spanish, English and a fun dose of spanglish as always. Please subscribe, share with friends and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs grow. Also don't forget, to click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own personal questions to be featured on future episodes. Salud and Gracias!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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In this borderless world we live in now, Ileana and Rob get really "real" this week, and don't hold back, on the truths of their own stories. They recount what took them from Los Angeles and Guadalajara to Santiago Chile in 2017, but also talk about "Entrepreneurial tourists", Startup programs and the decision process that every founder should consider when "going global, or not". And as with each episode, they tackle two really important questions from founders in Mexico about "how to communicate with and keep your teams motivated." It's fun, opinionated, high energy commentary from our hosts and we hope you enjoy! Plug in and relax. Please subscribe, share and repost to your social media so we can help more entrepreneurs. Also don't forget, to click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own questions to be featured on a future episode. Salud and Gracias!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mentorstoday/message

In the midst of a global pandemic, and economic lockdown, Ileana and Rob dive right into the deep end, with questions that keep entrepreneurs and executives awake in 2020; What are we going to do with our offices? Are we going to work remotely or "Work From Home/Anywhere" in the future, and the classic question for all founders; "When is the right time to raise capital? As they do every week, Rob and Ileana share their own unique journeys; on working remotely and their perspective on raising capital. In this episode, while Rob joins us from Los Angeles, Ileana joins us from a weekend beach holiday with family, outside of Los Cabos. They both prove that in the 21st century, talent travels and companies can be built in many ways. This week's episode gives listeners, like our featured audience guest, Bruna, from Brasil, some very specific actionable takeaways. They dig into the human component of remote/hybrid work going forward, and they flip the script on the capital raising question by providing founders with a fresh perspective on their next raise. It's fun, opinionated, high energy commentary from our hosts and we hope you enjoy! Plug in and relax. Please subscribe, share and repost to your social media so we can grow our audience. Also don't forget, to click on the "listener voice message" link in show notes, to submit your own questions to be featured on a future episode. Salud!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Ileana and Rob continue exploring the key traits that make up any successful entrepreneur, and this week, they hit the jackpot with their deep discussion around the importance of Storytelling! They share their own stories, and perspectives, from their professional journeys, and as always they answer questions from entrepreneurs in Latin America. This week, they discuss two timely questions from Mexican entrepreneurs Elsy Sanchez of Mexico City and Arantxa Leon of Monterrey, about digitization/e-commerce growth in this pandemic era, plus the effect of this unique time on the Tourism/Events industries. Lots to dive into this week, so please plug in, enjoy, subscribe-like and pleas Share with your friends! Don't forget, you too can submit your own questions to be featured on an upcoming episode by simply clicking the Message link on the episode notes. Salud!

This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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Do you ever wonder if you are dreaming "big enough"? Do some entrepreneurs have some magical traits built into their DNA or no? This week Ileana and Rob dive deep into these big questions that every entrepreneur worries and wonders about. They also take some hard questions from real life entrepreneurs, Aly, from Mexico and Augustin from Argentina, asking about the daily battle as entrepreneurs; to believe in ourselves and find a balance in our intense lives while chasing our dreams. Please plug in, listen and enjoy every Friday. If you have questions or comments you would like to hear Ileana and Rob discuss, just hit the Record-link available on Anchor and send us your message. Gracias y Salud.

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Season 1/eps 1 “Preview Of Mentors Today”

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