The Edge Of Excellence Podcast: Recent Episodes

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What does intentional living really look like? It’s not about following someone else’s script. It’s about knowing what matters, choosing with clarity, and building a life that aligns with your values.

In this Edge of Excellence collage episode, host Matt Stewart brings together seven powerful voices—Dane Mauland, Chris Krause, Cody Voelker, Jerome Stewart, Keaton Petite, Kyle Emerick, and Chris Marsh—to explore how purposeful life planning shapes long-term happiness, fulfillment, and excellence. From defining your values and setting meaningful goals to choosing sacrifice over comfort and designing a path that reflects your true priorities, these stories show that life planning is both art and discipline.

You’ll hear about finding the intersection of passion and excellence (Dane Mauland), building a value-driven life plan (Chris Krause & Chris Marsh), aligning your goals with your deepest “why” (Cody Voelker), choosing bold paths and compounding life experiences (Jerome Stewart), rediscovering joy and authenticity through reflection (Keaton Petite), prioritizing what matters most (Kyle Emerick), and holding yourself accountable through honest self-assessment and sacrifice.

Together, they remind us that your life won’t magically become what you want, you have to design it, refine it, and commit to it every day.

Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Dane Mauland on why life is “long and short” and how to choose work that brings excellence and fulfillment.

[02:06] – Chris Krause & Chris Marsh on defining your values, honoring what matters, and building a meaningful life plan.

[03:35] – Cody Voelker on aligning goals with purpose and becoming the best version of yourself daily.

[06:00] – Dane Mauland on sacrifice, prioritization, and giving up the unimportant to build the life you want.

[08:50] – Jerome Stewart on bold life choices, adventure, and pursuing paths that shape who you become.

[12:04] – Keaton Petite on stepping back, asking hard questions, and redefining success through joy and authenticity.

[14:23] – Kyle Emerick on prioritizing the 5 F’s and journaling your way through life’s crucible moments.

About the GuestsDane Mauland – Finance professional and educator known for his philosophy that life is “long and short,” emphasizing intentional career and life decisions. | Episode 19: Dane Mauland | Discover The Meaning Of Passion and Excellence

Chris Krause – Founder of NCSA, emphasizing relationship-building, mentorship, and clarity in creating a life plan. | Episode 47: Chris Krause | The Power of Relationships and Turning Your Passion into a Life Plan

Chris Marsh – Leader and life strategist focused on defining values and creating meaningful accountability systems. | Episode 163: Chris Marsh | From Setbacks to Success: The Hidden Secrets of Resilient Leaders

Cody Voelker – Real estate entrepreneur focused on long-term thinking, goal alignment, and everyday excellence. | Episode 57: Cody Voelker | Finding Success in Real Estate Investing

Jerome Stewart – International professional and Peace Corps veteran, known for bold choices and embracing diverse life paths. | Episode 26: Jerome Stewart | There Is More Than One Path To Excellence

Keaton Petite – Higher education administrator who champions reflection, mental clarity, and redefining success. | Episode 157: Keaton Petite | From Chaos to Clarity: Mastering Productivity in a Digital World

Kyle Emerick – Former Marine and business leader known for his “5 F’s” framework and disciplined life prioritization. | Episode 11: Kyle Emerick | What Is The 5 F’s Life And How You Can Use It Today

Important Links* Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn * Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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Finding the right career isn’t about luck, but it’s about clarity, courage, and consistency.

In this Edge of Excellence collage episode, host Matt Stewart brings together career lessons from John Bruckner, Andrew Reid, Devid O’Dowd, Danielle Whitaker, Jerome Stewart, Steve Tchejeyan, and Michael Yates — seven leaders who’ve built exceptional careers by being curious, intentional, and bold.

From finding mentors and identifying the right company to owning your strengths and crafting your story, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to land and grow in a career you love. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to pivot, these voices share the strategies, mindsets, and truths that turn opportunity into impact.

Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Matt Stewart introduces the core of the career hunt: curiosity, courage, and consistency.

[00:30] – John Bruckner: Be open. Seek mentors and relationships — most successful people want to help.

[02:00] – Andrew Reid: How to pick the right company (and manager) by following venture capital indicators.

[05:00] – Devid O’Dowd: Embrace your natural superpower and stay true to your authentic strengths.

[06:30] – Danielle Whitaker: Use StrengthsFinder to know yourself and tell a confident story in interviews.

[08:00] – Jerome Stewart: Stand out through meaningful, long-term experiences — and the power of perseverance.

[10:30] – Steve Tchejeyan: Know your story. Be intentional, consistent, and proactive in every opportunity.

[13:00] – Michael Yates: How foundational business skills build long-term success and self-belief.

About the GuestsJohn Bruckner – Entrepreneur and mentor passionate about connection and lifelong curiosity. | Episode 126 - John Bruckner | Redefining Work-Life Integration

Andrew Reid – Business leader and investor, sharing insights on strategic career choices. | Episode 93 - Andrew Reid | Navigating the Tech World

Devid O’Dowd – Executive focused on leadership, authenticity, and performance. | Episode 39 - Devin O‘Dowd | Working Smarter and The Shockingly Simple Basics of Success

Danielle Whitaker – Talent leader who helps others uncover and leverage their strengths. | Episode 17 - Danielle Whitaker | Flourish Through Professional and Personal Challenges

Jerome Stewart – Business professional and Peace Corps alumnus advocating for grit and experience. | Episode 26 - Jerome Stewart | There Is More Than One Path To Excellence

Steve Tchejeyan – Executive coach guiding professionals toward clarity and consistency. | Episode 146 - Steve Tchejeyan | Unraveling the Ambition Paradox in Professional Growth

Michael Yates – Entrepreneur and business leader emphasizing the power of foundational skills. | Episode 43 - Michael Yates | Driving Growth Through Passion and Work Ethic

Important Links* Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn * Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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What does real leadership look like? It’s not about titles or applause. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, owning your impact, and leading with heart.

In this Edge of Excellence collage episode, host Matt Stewart brings together four remarkable voices — Joe John Duran, Jeff Gunhus, Sharon Taylor, and Lisa Merage — to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose. From courage and humility to discipline and vision, these stories show that excellence starts from within.

You’ll hear about building a life of ownership and self-awareness (Joe John Duran), the pursuit of excellence through relentless curiosity (Jeff Gunhus), the power of mission, vision, and values in leadership (Sharon Taylor), and leading by example to empower women and communities (Lisa Merage).

Together, they remind us that leadership isn’t granted. It’s earned every day by how you show up, grow, and serve others.

Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Joe John Duran on humility, grit, and getting “in the mud” with your team.

[00:25] – Matt Stewart introduces a masterclass on leadership and excellence.

[01:00] – Jeff Gunhus on why excellence is a choice, not a talent — and how to balance happiness with ambition.

[03:00] – Sharon Taylor on the importance of mission, vision, and values in schools and organizations.

[05:00] – Lisa Merage on humility, choice, and leading by example in life and business.

About the GuestsJoe John Duran – Visionary financial leader and founder known for his philosophy on ownership, perspective, and purpose. | Episode 94 - Joe John Duran | Life Doesn’t Happen to You, It Happens for You

Jeff Gunhus – CEO and author focused on excellence, leadership mindset, and high-performance culture. | Episode 131 - Jeff Gunhus CEO, Home Genius Exteriors | Choosing Excellence - Building Vision and Culture

Sharon Taylor – Educational leader championing purpose-driven leadership through mission, vision, and values. | Episode 152 - Sharon Taylor | From Good to Great: The Secret Sauce of Transformative Educational Leadership

Lisa Merage – Entrepreneur and advocate for women in sports, redefining leadership through stewardship and example. | Episode 122 - Lisa Merage | Leading with Purpose - Transforming Women's Sports and Business

Important Links* Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn * Watch full interviews on YouTube

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Michael Caito, CEO and controlling shareholder of Map Consulting, Nicole McMackin, CEO of Irvine Technology Corp and host of the Elevate Your Career podcast, and Shawn Baldwin, President of Baldwin and Sons.

In a wide-ranging conversation, you'll be taken behind the curtain of high-performing teams, where camaraderie and accountability create a culture of growth and achievement. The discussion flows with humor and honesty as Matt, Nicole, Shawn, and Michael reflect on the importance of discipline and intention, and how to align values with action, both personally and professionally. Through lighthearted banter and sincere insights, the group explores the habits and mindset that drive lasting success.

Each guest brings unique experiences from their industries, unpacking how consistency and feedback play pivotal roles in development. They share stories of tough love, transformative decisions, and the power of investing in others. Along the way, the discussion highlights how surrounding yourself with the right people can elevate your standards and challenge your comfort zone in the best way.

Whether you're leading a team or refining your own performance, this conversation offers both encouragement and actionable takeaways, all wrapped in authentic relationships and shared ambition.

Ready to level up your mindset and leadership habits? Tune in to hear how three top CEOs built excellence through discipline, honesty, and the right people around them. Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why 20-somethings are the future, as well as the importance of storytelling in learning.

• The unique challenges of proving oneself in a family business and the importance of creating a distinct identity.

• The importance of knowing your audience and being prepared in mentorship.

• Why self-development and being open to various opportunities are vital to achieve excellence in today's world.

• The power of human connection and the need for 20-somethings to develop skills that cannot be replaced by AI.

• And much more...

Guest Bios:

Michael Caito is the owner and CEO of Management Action Programs, Inc. (MAP), bringing decades of entrepreneurial experience and strategic leadership to the role. Beginning his journey in the early 1990s, Michael co-founded Restaurants on the Run with just $6,000 and grew it over 20 years to a $40 million business across 10 markets before its sale in 2015. A self-taught business strategist known as a “metrics guy,” he leverages data-driven management to drive results and continuous improvement. Active in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization for over 20 years and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Michael has traveled extensively to engage with business leaders worldwide. Since acquiring MAP in 2017, he has focused on developing talent and expanding the company’s global reach.

Nicole McMackin is the CEO of Irvine Technology Corporation (ITC) and host of the Elevate Your Career podcast, known for her passionate commitment to empowering others both professionally and personally. She leads ITC’s initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, with a strong focus on elevating women into leadership roles. With extensive experience in DEI and women’s leadership development, Nicole is dedicated to fostering inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive. Under her guidance, ITC has significantly increased the representation of women and people of color in technology leadership, earning recognition as a leading company for diversity and inclusion. Nicole founded and serves as Chief Administrator of the National Virtual course, ITC Women in Leadership, aimed at advancing women’s careers into executive positions.

Shawn Baldwin is the President of Baldwin & Sons, bringing extensive expertise in residential real estate development and progressively responsible leadership roles within the Baldwin Companies. He specializes in single-family and master-planned communities, expertly managing the planning, design, construction, and marketing of a wide range of housing products—from entry-level to luxury segments. Shawn’s long-term vision includes expanding the Baldwin brand into complementary development sectors such as retail, office, and high-density apartments. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), reflecting his commitment to professional growth and industry leadership. Shawn holds a degree from the University of Southern California, underscoring his strong educational foundation in real estate and business.

Resources:

Michael's LinkedIn

MAP Consulting

Nicole's LinkedIn

Irvine Technology Group

Shawn's LinkedIn

Baldwin & Sons

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, co-host Sean Phelps is joined by Jaime Rogozinski, entrepreneur and founder of WallStreetBets.

In this fascinating conversation, Jaime shares a remarkable journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, highlighting how unconventional paths can lead to profound personal and professional growth. Through stories of trial, error, and resilience, you'll hear about the complexity of navigating online communities, legal battles, and the intricate dynamics of building something truly unique in the digital age. Jaime’s reflections reveal how early ambitions evolved into a deeper understanding of influence, identity, and the impact of perseverance.

You'll also discover the power of community and the philosophy that underpins a massive, yet often misunderstood, online movement. Hear about the tension between mainstream institutions and grassroots innovation, and the cultural shifts reshaping traditional financial and social systems. Gain insight into the motivations and mindset of a demographic that defies easy categorization, driven by a blend of irreverence, intellect, and a desire to challenge the status quo.

This conversation will leave you inspired to rethink your own journey and consider how purpose and passion can redefine what it means to make a lasting impact.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why success is about learning from failures and making improvements, rather than just avoiding mistakes.

• Jamie's first business venture, which was acquired but did not result in financial gain due to his lack of understanding of financial transactions.

• The concept of influencers and the shift in generational attitudes towards influencers and financial literacy.

• The challenges and controversies faced during the process of trademarking "WallStreetBets."

• The power of social media in creating excitement and influence.

• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Jaime Rogozinski is the founder of WallStreetBets and a seasoned entrepreneur, public speaker, and author with over 18 years of experience launching successful companies in technology and finance. Known for his innovative blend of business and tech expertise, Jaime has been actively involved in the startup community, serving as a judge for prestigious awards such as the Entrepreneurs Organization Student Award and Angel Hack Mexico. His creation, WallStreetBets, has become a powerful force in finance, earning coverage from major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, Forbes, and Fox Business. In February 2020, Jaime published his book, WallStreetBets: How Boomers Made the World's Biggest Casino for Millennials, further cementing his influence in the financial world.

Resources:

Jaime's Website

Jaime's LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Chris Marsh, Founder and CEO of Cherry Tree Capital Partners and the Co-founder of BCT Development.

This episode explores the journey of building something meaningful from the ground up—full of twists, resilience, and leadership lessons learned the hard way. You'll discover the importance of vision and trust, such as how persistence and culture-building often outweigh technical skills in achieving long-term success. Along the way, you'll get a glimpse into the mindset shifts that drive breakthrough moments in both career and personal growth.

Matt and Chris also unpack the power of goal setting, emphasizing how defining clear values and missions can transform self-limiting beliefs into sources of motivation. They touch on the mental battles many face and offer insights into how reframing those internal narratives can fuel resilience and grit. By weaving personal anecdotes with practical advice, the conversation invites you to rethink what success truly means and how to pursue it with purpose.

The blend of personal reflection, strategic insight, and heartfelt stories makes this episode a compelling listen for anyone striving to make a difference in their own way.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Chris's upbringing in a working-class household in Blackburn, Lancashire, and his early struggles with education.

• His move to the United States, initially on a tourist visa, and his eventual employment at the Irvine Company.

• How the Great Recession led to a shift in the real estate market, with a focus on apartment development.

• Chris's personal experiences of overcoming self-doubt and the impact of having a clear vision and mission.

• The importance of making a positive impact while building a successful business.

• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Chris Marsh is the Founder and CEO of Cherry Tree Capital Partners and Co-founder of BCT Development. With over 30 years of experience in commercial and multi-family real estate, Chris spent 18 years at Irvine Company, rising to President of the Apartment Division, where he led the development of 22,000 new apartment units and grew the portfolio from 40,000 to 62,000 units. Cherry Tree focuses on acquiring and managing multi-family assets in the Midwest, preserving affordable housing and enriching communities through educational centers. In 2023, Chris co-founded BCT Development with Bain Capital Real Estate to create innovative rental townhome communities in Southern California. Committed to child education and community development, Chris serves on several nonprofit and advisory boards. He holds degrees in Quantity Surveying and Project Management from UK universities.

Resources:

Cherry Tree Capital Partners

Chris's LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Samantha Gold, founder of Motette, a children’s clothing brand.

During the conversation, Samantha shares her unconventional career journey marked by bold transitions and an unyielding passion for growth. Starting in tech sales, she reflects on the challenges and triumphs of shifting industries and embracing new roles, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resilience. Throughout the discussion, her positive mindset and willingness to take risks emerge as key drivers of her success.

You'll discover how curiosity and networking opened unexpected doors, leading Samantha from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. Get a glimpse into the complexities of launching a product-based business—from finding the right manufacturing partner overseas to navigating legal hurdles and industry-specific regulations. Along the way, the importance of community feedback and co-creation becomes clear, showing how involving customers early can help refine ideas and build loyalty.

Building a product-based business from scratch? Thinking of pivoting your career to match your actual life (not just your resume)? Samantha Gold breaks it down with honesty, strategy, and style. Hit play to learn how she launched a community-first brand while raising two kids and leaving the corporate world behind.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How Samantha organically built an inner mom circle to co-create her clothing brand, Motette.

• The importance of building a community for entrepreneurs to drive sales and get business insights.

• Samantha's decision to study abroad in Sydney, Australia, and switch from a zoology degree to a business degree.

• Her career progression, from sales development to account executive, and her time consulting in the fashion industry, eventually leading to CEO of a women's clothing company.

• The inspiration behind Motette, driven by Samantha's desire for elevated basics for her children.

• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Samantha Gold is the founder of Motette, a children’s clothing brand she launched in 2024, inspired by her experience as a mom to Blair and Wesley. Motivated by the lack of thoughtfully designed options for kids, she created a line of elevated, functional pieces featuring refined prints, timeless silhouettes, and soft, breathable bamboo fabrics. Motette is built to support the rhythms of childhood while offering parents reliable quality and design. Prior to launching her own ventures, Samantha served as CEO of a contemporary women’s brand and held senior roles at Fortune 500 tech companies. With over 15 years of experience in retail, e-commerce, and digital strategy, she brings a cross-functional, hands-on approach to building and scaling enduring consumer brands.

Resources:

Samantha's Instagram

Samantha's LinkedIn

Motette

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Caden Brunell, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and entrepreneur.

In this engaging conversation, Caden shares a journey marked by determination, growth, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. From humble beginnings in a small town, you'll hear how early experiences in sports and family businesses laid a foundation of grit and discipline. As the path twists through shifting ambitions and unexpected challenges, it highlights the importance of stepping outside comfort zones and embracing the learning process.

The conversation explores the realities of balancing hard work with personal sacrifice, exploring the tension between short-term pleasures and long-term goals. You'll discover lessons about leadership, managing stress, and building confidence, as well as stories of overcoming nervousness and taking on responsibilities far beyond typical expectations. Caden reflects on pivotal moments of decision-making that shaped both mindset and direction, demonstrating how real-world experience often trumps theoretical planning.

This episode is a nuanced exploration of what it takes to carve out a meaningful and successful path in life, offering inspiration without prescribing easy answers.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Caden's roots in Columbus, Wisconsin, a small town with about 5,000 people, and his involvement in various sports growing up.

• How his early jobs, including working for his father's landscaping business, helped him develop a strong work ethic and competitive mindset.

• The importance of getting out of one's comfort zone, particularly in communication and sales.

• Caden's approach to sourcing customers, learning from family friends in the construction industry, and building a digital presence.

• The value of his busy college years, despite the initial feeling of missing out on social activities, as it helped him develop crucial skills and self-awareness.

• And much more...

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Kash Fadaie, Founder of Fadaie Insurance Services Inc.

In this intriguing conversation, Kash shares a transformative personal experience that reshaped his understanding of self and purpose. Through a unique practice, he describes reaching a profound state of bliss and clarity that transcends ordinary consciousness, leading to a deeper connection with their authentic self. This awakening sets the stage for a journey of personal growth and entrepreneurial vision.

Matt and Kash explore the power of self-awareness and the importance of distinguishing between fleeting doubts and true inner knowing. You'll hear how embracing one’s genuine nature can influence leadership, team culture, and the way a business is built. The conversation hints at how this clarity fosters creativity, confidence, and meaningful relationships, making it an essential foundation for success.

This episode teases an unconventional career path that combines purpose, service, and entrepreneurial opportunity, inviting curious minds to explore further.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Kash's background starting with his parents' roles in the Iranian Navy and their migration to Florida.
• How his early experiences in business taught him the importance of hard work, adaptability, and building relationships.
• How meditation helped Kash achieve a state of bliss and inner peace, which became a pivotal moment in his life.
• The unique aspects of the insurance industry, such as its recession-proof nature, residual income potential, and the opportunity to provide peace of mind to clients.
• The potential of the insurance industry for young entrepreneurs, emphasizing its mobile, residual income, and scalable nature.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Kash Fadaie is a visionary Iranian-born entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of a thriving insurance agency headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. After launching his first business at age 13 and exploring over a dozen ventures, he found lasting success in the insurance industry in 2004. By 2006, Kash had built a scratch agency from the ground up, leading it to become a \$10 million enterprise with a large client base across California and Texas. A graduate of the Maharishi University of Management, Kash integrates Transcendental Meditation and yoga into his life, promoting clarity and balance. Known for his calm leadership, he inspires cohesive teams through creativity, patience, and trust. Kash is deeply committed to personal and professional excellence.

Resources:

Fadaie Insurance Services Inc.

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Liv Mitchell, entrepreneur and Founder of Liv Mitchell Jewelry.

In this engaging conversation, Liv shares her journey of growing a business from humble beginnings to gaining momentum through word-of-mouth and dedicated client relationships. The discussion explores the pivotal moments when steady progress begins to accelerate and the importance of nurturing genuine connections that lead to organic growth. You'll get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes hustle that turns a promising venture into a thriving enterprise.

The discussion also dives into the power of learning communities and mentorship programs designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want to stay ahead of the curve. Through insightful experiences, Liv highlights how tapping into expert knowledge and peer support can provide critical guidance during times of financial challenges and strategic decision-making. You'll discover the value of continuous learning beyond formal education and the courage it takes to step out of one’s comfort zone.

The episode leaves aspiring business owners inspired to pursue their goals with bravery and a fresh perspective on what it means to achieve true success.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Liv's career transition from a promising job in sports marketing to starting her own jewelry business.
• The importance of networking and building relationships with clients and industry professionals.
• The challenges and rewards of building a jewelry business from the ground up.
• The benefits of joining entrepreneurial organizations and the support they provide to business owners.
• The potential for exponential growth and the importance of maintaining a high level of service and quality.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Liv Mitchell is the Founder of Liv Mitchell Jewelry, a concierge fine jewelry brand dedicated to transforming the traditional shopping experience. A Brown University graduate with a dual degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Visual Arts, Liv also holds a Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School. After college, she deepened her expertise at the Gemological Institute of America, earning certifications in diamond and colored gemstone grading. As a former student-athlete, Liv brings the same discipline and precision to her craft. Her appointment-only model replaces the pressure and overhead of typical jewelry stores with a personalized, transparent approach. Clients receive one-on-one guidance, custom 3D CAD designs, and carefully sourced stones, resulting in bespoke jewelry that reflects their unique vision and values.

Resources:

Liv Mitchell Jewelry

Liv's LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Yashaar Amin, Managing Principal at Arch Anchor.

In this insightful conversation, Matt and Yashaar discuss the journey of mastering a complex craft that blends both technical knowledge and relationship-building. They explore the significance of gaining hands-on experience across different roles and how filling gaps in expertise can unlock new opportunities. You'll get a glimpse into the balance between hard skills and soft skills, and how strategic partnerships amplify individual strengths in achieving bigger goals.

You'll discover the nuances of collaborative ventures, highlighting the importance of trust, transparency, and shared vision in successful teamwork. Yashaar offers insights into the challenges of starting out, the value of learning from mistakes, and why patience and persistence are key ingredients in carving out a sustainable path. The discussion offers practical insights for anyone looking to leverage their talents alongside others to create a meaningful impact.

This episode encourages embracing vulnerability and ethical leadership, offering a reminder that true success is often a collective journey fueled by mutual respect and genuine collaboration.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Yashaar's journey to UC Irvine and his decision to pursue a master's degree at Columbia, driven by his desire to create momentum and opportunities for himself.
• His realization that understanding both the "bricks and sticks" and finance aspects of real estate are crucial for long-term success.
• The importance of continuous learning and the value of diverse experiences in shaping a successful career in real estate.
• The concept of syndication, where resources are pooled to invest in real estate opportunities.
• The challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship in real estate, particularly the need for a solid foundation in both finance and real estate operations.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Yashaar Amin is a Partner and Head of Asset Management at Waterford Property Company, bringing over 15 years of diverse real estate experience spanning investment management, acquisitions, and operations. He has held executive roles across private equity, family offices, and national brokerages, overseeing long-term strategies and day-to-day execution for major real estate portfolios. Prior to Waterford, Yashaar led a Los Angeles-based institutional fund at RP Realty Partners and managed leasing and development for The L\&R Group of Companies. He also directed acquisitions and asset management for The Wonderful Company and began his career in brokerage, property management, and construction. A Columbia MSRED graduate and UC Irvine alum, he is a founding member of Building Hope within City of Hope’s LA Real Estate Council. Yashaar lives in Laguna Beach with his wife and two children.

Resources:

Yashaar's LinkedIn

Waterford Property Company

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, co-host Sean Phelps is joined by Keaton Petite, a higher education consultant.

In this engaging conversation, Keaton reflects on the evolving landscape of work and learning, revealing how emerging tools have transformed the way professionals approach problem-solving and creativity. From leveraging technology to streamline complex tasks to rethinking traditional methods, you'll hear about the challenges and opportunities that come with adapting to rapid innovation.

Discover insights on personal growth and the journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the value of pausing to reflect on what truly matters. Rather than following prescribed paths blindly, Keaton encourages you to explore your genuine passions and set meaningful goals that align with your values. This introspective approach is framed as essential for navigating today’s complex world, where external expectations often cloud individual purpose and direction.

This episode offers a message of persistence, clarity, and intentionality, as well as the idea that with the right mindset and tools, you can chart a course toward fulfillment and impact.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Keaton's personal journey of self-discovery, moving away from traditional success metrics to focus on personal fulfillment and passion.
• The importance of taking immediate actions that align with one's interests and passions.
• The typical structure of a consulting project, including processes such as data collection, design, and implementation.
• The challenges and opportunities presented by the shift toward online and continuing education as alternatives to traditional degree programs, and the role of consulting in helping navigate these changes.
• The value of self-exploration and finding joy in one's work to achieve true success.
• And much more...

Resources:

Keaton Petite’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Edge of Excellence podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Craig Atkins, Chairman and Co-founder of City Ventures, a real estate development firm focused on urban housing throughout California.

In this engaging conversation, Matt and Craig dive deep into the unpredictable journey of building a career from the ground up. From relentless persistence that spans hundreds of days to unexpected opportunities that arise during challenging economic times, you'll learn how dedication and adaptability can turn setbacks into successes. It’s a testament to the power of grit and the willingness to say "yes" even when the path seems uncertain.

Discover the balance between work and life, highlighting how unconventional choices and bold moves can lead to a uniquely fulfilling lifestyle. Whether it’s redefining what retirement looks like or finding ways to integrate passion and play into a busy schedule, the conversation challenges traditional ideas about success and personal fulfillment.

This episode is not just about climbing the ladder but about crafting a life that blends ambition with joy, reminding us all that sometimes the most unconventional paths lead to the most rewarding destinations.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Craig's rebellious behavior in middle school and the impact of his grandmother's decision to send him to boarding school.
• How bartending and architectural internships in college helped him realize his passion for real estate development over architecture
• The process of entitlement, design, and construction management in real estate development.
• The initial challenges of starting a brokerage company at 23, including starting the company with a $4,000 loan and borrowing office supplies from a dumpster.
• The establishment of City Ventures and the focus on ground-up development and land development.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Craig Atkins is the Chairman and Co-founder of City Ventures, a real estate development firm focused on urban housing throughout California. With over 25 years of experience in real estate, Craig has been involved in more than $3 billion in transactions, giving him deep insight into California’s diverse markets. Prior to City Ventures, he founded and led O'Donnell/Atkins, the state’s largest land brokerage firm, which averaged over $1 billion in annual transactions and operated six offices statewide. He also co-founded O/A Homes, a builder of luxury homes in La Quinta. Earlier in his career, Craig was a project manager at the Warmington Company, overseeing large-scale developments. A member of the Young Presidents Organization, he holds degrees in Architecture and Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Resources:

City Ventures

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, co-host Sean Phelps is joined by Dave Foster, the Founder and CEO of Gateway Wealth Management.

In this insightful conversation, Sean and Dave explore a nuanced journey of personal growth, career evolution, and the often-overlooked importance of perseverance. Through stories of early challenges and surprising pivots, you'll learn how formative experiences—especially those that test one's limits—can shape not just career paths but also character.

Dave reflects on a transformative period of his life, recounting both the obstacles and the small wins that contributed to his long-term success. These reflections highlight a broader theme: that the path to professional fulfillment isn't always linear, and sometimes the most valuable lessons are learned not through easy victories, but through enduring tough seasons with intention.

This episode is a compelling reminder that personal and professional mastery often emerges from taking the long view—and having the courage to try, stumble, and keep going anyway.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Dave's initial interest in business, influenced by his father, who was a CEO of an animal feed manufacturing company.
• The value of thick skin and persistence, essential skills for a career in sales and business management.
• The challenges of selling financial advice with Edward Jones, where rejection feels personal compared to selling paint jobs at College Works.
• The psychological aspects of financial advice, particularly in helping clients through life changes like the death of a spouse.
• The importance of balancing long-term goals with enjoying the present as outlined in the book 'Die with Zero' by Bill Perkins.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Dave Foster is the Founder and CEO of Gateway Wealth Management, a fee-only advisory firm based in St. Louis. A CFP®, RICP®, and CAP® professional, he specializes in retirement income and tax planning. Dave is also the host of the Gateway Giving Podcast, where he explores philanthropy and purposeful wealth. When he’s not helping clients or behind the mic, you’ll find him hiking, playing baseball, or hanging out with his wife and three kids.

Resources:

Dave's LinkedIn

Gateway Wealth Management

Die with Zero book

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Matt Sivewright, a four-time serial entrepreneur.

During the conversation, the discussion explores the challenges of building businesses, from the initial spark of an idea to overcoming the hurdles of growth. The two Matts touch on the pressures and sacrifices involved in the entrepreneurial world, highlighting how pivotal decisions shape the trajectory of one's career and personal life.

Matt Sivewright provides an in-depth look into the nuances of scaling a business, from the intricacies of hiring contractors to handling the stress of financial uncertainty. The conversation also explores the hard-earned wisdom that comes from experience, emphasizing the vital role of persistence and adaptability when the odds seem stacked against you.

This episode is a deep dive into the grit, resilience, and strategic thinking that define the entrepreneurial spirit.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Matt's journey as a serial entrepreneur and maintaining a balanced life with family.
• The challenges and successes of growing a fence business, including expanding nationally and dealing with cash flow issues.
• Matt's experience of selling to customers in different countries and adapting to different market requirements.
• The value of adapting to changes in consumer behavior, such as the shift towards online transactions.
• The importance of putting family first while maintaining a work-life balance.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Matt Sivewright, the Founder and CEO of EverFence, brings over two decades of fencing industry experience to his innovative marketplace. EverFence provides instant quotes for fencing projects and connects customers with qualified contractors. By consistently integrating relevant new technologies, Matt has positioned EverFence as an industry leader, delivering optimal experiences for both customers and fencing professionals.

Resources:

Matt Sivewright’s LinkedIn

Fence Wright

Lion Fencing and Steel Supplies

EverFence

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Frank Guimont, a young finance student and record-breaking business professional.

This conversation dives deep into Frank's journey - redefining success through personal growth and leadership. Emphasizing the importance of embracing the process rather than fixating on outcomes, the discussion explores how true success often comes from helping others reach their potential.

You'll discover the impact of mentorship and the foundational values passed down from family. Frank reflects on the influence of his parents, with a focus on work ethic, personal integrity, and the importance of relationships over career status. These values shape his approach to both business and life, offering a perspective that success is not just defined by financial achievements but by the person you become and the relationships you build.

This episode highlights the sacrifices necessary for long-term success, with Frank sharing personal experiences that shaped his career.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The influence of Frank's siblings and parents in shaping his work ethic and balance.
• The importance of making the most out of college years and the benefits of early preparation.
• Frank's early struggles as a freshman intern at College Works, and the turning point that led him to focus on self-improvement and hard work.
• His approach to leadership, focusing on the growth and success of his team members.
• Examples of personal sacrifices Frank has made to achieve success, such as missing social events to focus on work.
• And much more...

Resources:

Frank Guimont’s LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Sharon Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest headmaster in the history of Southern California schools.

During this insightful conversation, Matt and Sharon explore the intricate journey of leadership within a unique and impactful field. They explore how passion for education can evolve into higher leadership roles and the complexities that come with that transition. Through candid reflections, the conversation touches on the balance between nurturing personal connections and managing broader organizational responsibilities, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to lead effectively in a setting dedicated to growth and development.

You'll learn about the importance of vision, mission, and values as the cornerstones of any successful endeavor. Sharon shares her experiences of shaping and refining a guiding philosophy that not only supports the internal culture but also helps navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities for long-term sustainability.

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone passionate about education, leadership, or making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why the values of kindness and curiosity are essential components of excellence.
• Sharon's desire to become a teacher from a young age and her work ethic, such as working through high school and college.
• Her involvement in sorority leadership during college, which helped her develop her leadership skills.
• The importance of clarifying a school's mission, vision, and values to guide decision-making and hiring practices.
• The value of long-term sustainability and the role of the board of trustees in supporting the school's goals.
• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Sharon brings over 30 years of experience in education. She began her career as a grade one teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District and then a grade two teacher in Washington State.

She joined St. Mary’s School in 1995. Sharon has served many roles at St. Mary’s including classroom teacher, International Baccalaureate Coordinator (Middle Years and Primary Years Programmes), Dean of Academics (All School), Head of Lower School (K-5) and Head of School (All School)

Sharon is currently serving as the Chief Advancement Officer , where she is leading the school through a major capital campaign to complete the master facilities plan for the campus. Sharon also serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s.

Sharon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Concordia University in Irvine. She also holds a Multiple Subject Lifetime Credential from California State University, Northridge.

Sharon is trained through The International Baccalaureate Organization and has attended and led workshops with IBO. She is an active member of the California Association of Independent Schools and has led multiple accreditations for the organization.

Sharon serves on the following additional boards: Providence Hospital, Mission Viejo and RiseHyre.

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, co-host Sean Phelps is joined by Ian Beacraft, a futurist, AI expert, and CEO of Signal and Cipher.

You'll hear about the journey of an entrepreneur who has carved out a unique path through persistence, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. From an intense early business experience that tested the limits of endurance to later navigating the fast-evolving landscape of innovation, the discussion highlights the mindset and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Sean and Ian explore how unconventional career paths often lead to groundbreaking opportunities, emphasizing the value of embracing uncertainty and taking risks. A powerful analogy suggests that if a path is clearly visible, it may not be the right one—true growth comes from forging ahead into the unknown. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, the episode paints a picture of success as a series of calculated leaps, rather than a predetermined route.

This episode will leave you with a sense of anticipation, as well as an eagerness to explore what’s on the horizon.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Ian's journey from music major to pre-med to entrepreneurship, influenced by his College Works experience.
• The challenges of working in a large marketing agency, including the overwhelming nature of meetings with large teams.
• The importance of embracing emotions like fear and anger as tools for self-improvement.
• Ian's experience of speaking at South by Southwest and the challenges of creating unique and impactful presentations.
• The transformative nature of entrepreneurial experiences and their long-term impact on one's career.
• And much more...

Resources:

Ian's LinkedIn

Signal and Cipher

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Nate Douglas, who is a medical device sales professional, a real estate investor, and a former College Works alumni and one of the few individuals to summit Mount Everest, and all 7 summits.

You'll discover the personal journey that led Nate to push boundaries and tackle challenges that few would even consider. The story weaves through moments of triumph, vulnerability, and the mindset required to conquer daunting feats.

Go behind the scenes of an intense training process and the sacrifices made to achieve extraordinary goals. With humor and candidness, Nate reflects on their college experiences and the unexpected lessons learned from balancing personal ambitions with an intense work ethic. This theme of choosing the hard road becomes a central part of their narrative, illustrating the broader implications of perseverance and adaptability.

With a mix of adventure, business insight, and practical wisdom, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for anyone interested in pushing their limits, whether in business or life.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How the College Works internship shifted Nate's career path from pre-med to business and sales.
• His career progression in medical device sales, including roles at Johnson & Johnson and Belmont Medical.
• The value of calculated risks and the impact of climbing achievements on Nate's personal and professional life.
• The balance between Nate's professional responsibilities and his passion for mountain climbing.
• The importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and influential people.
• And much more...

Resources:

Nate's LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, co-host Sean Phelps is joined by R.T. Custer, founder and CEO of Vortic Watch Company, an American watch manufacturer.

During the conversation, R.T. shares insights on a journey that combines passion, creativity, and a relentless drive for success. From the beginnings of a dream to the challenges faced along the way, the discussion dives deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with great people and focusing on one’s strengths.

You'll discover a core lesson in leadership and building a business that goes beyond just selling a product. R.T. explains how cultivating a brand that resonates deeply with people can be as important as the product itself. The advice offered is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and those who are navigating the often-turbulent waters of business ownership, with a focus on the creative problem-solving involved in turning an idea into a reality.

Whether you're in engineering, business, or another sector, this episode provides timeless insights into how to thrive in your career and personal life.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of pivoting and facing hard things to achieve success.
• R.T.'s transition from corporate jobs at Procter and Gamble and Walmart to founding Vortic Watch Company.
• The necessity of systems and processes for organization and the role of the visionary in a company.
• The value of having a strong network of friends, advisors, and mentors to provide support and guidance.
• The secondary American dream of creating opportunities for others and the satisfaction of seeing employees succeed.
• And much more...

Resources:

R.T.'s LinkedIn

Vortic Watch Company

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast, Matt is joined by Nelma Maddox, a regional vice president for a major pharmaceutical sales company.

Nelma discusses her journey to carve a unique path in a competitive and demanding industry. With a blend of hard work, determination, and seizing opportunities, you'll learn how she navigated various career shifts and leadership roles. Her story reveals how personal values, a strong work ethic, and a focus on community engagement helped them rise to positions of influence, leaving a lasting impact wherever they went.

Nelma reflects on the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and making decisions that align with one’s moral compass. She also shares insightful thoughts on the interconnectedness of career success and personal fulfillment, offering valuable advice on how to maintain integrity while striving for excellence.

This episode offers an empowering message about how life's twists and turns can lead to unexpected yet fulfilling outcomes, all the while staying true to oneself and helping others along the way.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Nelma's background in management development and the influence of Simon Sinek, Malcolm Gladwell, and EQ (Emotional Intelligence).
• How her leadership skills developed through various roles in high school and college.
• The challenges and growth Nelma experienced in her early sales roles, including customer service and data entry.
• The training and development programs that helped her advance in the pharmaceutical industry.
• The importance of giving back and helping youth find the right leadership path.
• And much more...

Resources:

Nelma's LinkedIn

Corcept Therapeutics

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Gage Ward, College Works alumni and Account Manager for Engineered Sales Inc.

Gage reflects on overcoming initial struggles and adapting to the demands of a high-pressure field, all while embracing a mindset focused on growth and learning. Matt and Gage discuss the importance of resilience, noting how persistence in the face of setbacks can lead to eventual success.

You'll hear about the value of taking risks, sacrificing short-term comforts for long-term gains, and developing critical skills not typically taught in school. Gage recounts key moments where making tough decisions—like reducing work hours to focus on a specific opportunity—paid off significantly, highlighting how such sacrifices shape future outcomes.

This episode offers insights into the unique dynamics of industrial sales, emphasizing the importance of communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building in achieving professional excellence. Discover the strategic decisions that propel someone toward success, both in their career and in life.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The inevitability of failure and the importance of learning from failures to achieve success.
• The importance of attending career fairs and networking with faculty to stand out in the job market.
• Gage's time in the College Works program, which allowed him to trial run his own business and gain practical experience.
• The sacrifices Gage made during college, such as taking fewer hours at his job to focus on his internship and missing out on social activities.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Engineered Sales

Gage's LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Steve Tchejeyan, President of Island, an enterprise browser maker.

During the conversation, Matt and Steve explore the challenges and lessons learned from navigating high-pressure environments, where success hinges on adaptability and forward-thinking. Steve shares personal experiences of realizing the importance of maintaining momentum, even when things seem to be going well. A moment of panic serves as a turning point, underscoring the necessity of planning ahead and ensuring that opportunities don’t dry up unexpectedly.

You'll hear about the long-term impact of early career sacrifices. Hard work and relentless commitment often come at a personal cost, yet they shape the foundation for future success. Steve opens up about the emotional weight of reflecting on years spent grinding, particularly the realization of time lost with loved ones.

This episode serves as both a reflection on past hardships and a testament to the lasting impact of unwavering determination.

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What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of balancing work and education, and why Steve wishes he had found a better balance during his high school and college years.
• Steve's transition from inside sales at a software company to leadership roles and his involvement in private equity and startups.
• The significance of self-reflection and understanding one's interests to achieve long-term success.
• Some of the toughest challenges Steve has faced in his career, including taking a company private during COVID-19.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Island

Steve's LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, guest host Sean Phelps is joined by Eric Rose, a former Procter & Gamble executive, now the founder and CEO of Sprints Running Apparel.

During the conversation, Eric shares the evolution of his entrepreneurial journey, balancing the demands of a high-profile corporate career with the drive to build a personal brand from the ground up. Navigating the challenges of scaling a business while managing the complexities of an established company, he reflects on pivotal moments that shaped their approach to business and leadership.

You'll hear about the critical lessons learned early in Eric's career, highlighting the importance of sales, execution, and P&L management. Drawing from experiences that span both corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, he shares how a mix of hard work and learning from failure can fuel success.

From fitness routines to setting clear priorities, this episode reveals how Eric's day-to-day practices contribute to his ability to lead effectively and manage his growing brand.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Eric's early career at Procter and Gamble, starting during the financial crisis, and the opportunities he had to work on various brands.
• The challenges of managing a small brand, including limited buying power and the impact of COVID-19.
• The benefits and challenges of being an entrepreneur, including the ability to create a culture and the need for constant learning.
• The impact of the College Works program on Eric's career, including the friendships and mentorship he's gained.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Sprints Running Apparel

Eric's LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Grayson Bierling, a former member of the College Works program.

During the conversation, Grayson shares his journey of returning to a familiar industry with a fresh perspective, embracing the challenges of learning the trade from the ground up. Rather than taking shortcuts, he immerses himself in the intricacies of operations, regulations, and problem-solving, recognizing that true leadership comes from firsthand experience.

You'll hear how he’s developed a sharp eye for identifying inefficiencies, drawing from past roles where quick thinking and strategic execution made all the difference. Grayson explores the importance of analyzing a business’s long-term viability, asking the hard questions about sustainability and evolution.

This conversation will leave you with a thought-provoking perspective on what it truly means to build something lasting—whether in business, leadership, or personal development.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of high intention and the choices Grayson has made to set himself up for success.
• His initial struggles with sales in the College Works program and how he persevered and improved with help.
• Grayson's return to the family business after completing the College Works program, as well as the value of innovation in finding ways to grow the business.
• The importance of knowing the business inside and out to make informed decisions and drive growth.
• And so much more...

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Ellen Pais, Executive Director of Pretend City Children's Museum.

During the conversation, Matt and Ellen discuss bold, unconventional approaches to solving community challenges, highlighting the power of creativity and collaboration. Ellen shares insights into how innovative thinking can drive real change, bringing people together in unexpected ways.

You'll discover the complexities of leadership and the art of rallying support for meaningful initiatives. From securing critical funding to fostering deep relationships, the discussion sheds light on what it takes to turn big visions into reality. Ellen’s journey reveals valuable lessons about persistence, influence, and the importance of staying true to one’s mission, even when faced with obstacles.

With an energetic and heartfelt exchange, the episode leaves audiences with a renewed appreciation for the impact of bold leadership and the importance of investing in both community and personal growth.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The influence of nurture and nature on Ellen’s development and her commitment to advocacy from a young age.
• The significance of aligning one's career with personal values and the impact of making a difference in the community.
• The responsibilities of an executive director, including managing the big picture, details, and the overall success of the organization.
• The unique approach of Pretend City in providing a hands-on learning experience for children, fostering social interaction and real-world skills.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Pretend City Children's Museum

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Bobby Bourguignon, an alumnus of the College Works program.

During the conversation, Bobby shares how they navigated the early stages of his career, experimenting with different paths before finding one that sparked genuine excitement. The discussion explores the importance of passion in professional growth, while also acknowledging that not every day will be easy—sometimes, perseverance through difficult seasons is what ultimately leads to lasting fulfillment.

You'll hear about the impact of personal relationships and daily habits on long-term success. Bobby reflects on the difficult but necessary decision to change his social circle, surrounding Himself with individuals who inspire and challenge him. You'll also learn the critical role of health and self-discipline, emphasizing that personal well-being directly affects motivation, productivity, and overall happiness.

This episode offers a powerful metaphor about diving beneath the surface, encouraging you to embrace deeper conversations, take meaningful risks, and push yourself toward greater self-awareness.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Bobby's experience with College Works, a tough internship that taught him valuable lessons and that he calls the hardest year of his life, both physically and mentally.
• The challenges of working remotely and the impact on his mental health and substance abuse issues.
• The importance of choosing the right partners and having a clear value proposition.
• The lessons Bobby has learned from his challenges and how they have shaped his current mindset and approach to life.
• And so much more...

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Matt Hickman, a video content creator.

You'll hear Matt's compelling journey of discovery, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. Faced with a crossroads in life, he embraced a bold challenge — venturing into the unknown with nothing but raw determination and an eagerness to learn. His story unfolds through moments of uncertainty, rejection, and self-doubt, yet it is precisely these obstacles that fuel their relentless pursuit of success.

Gain insights into the mindset shifts and daily disciplines that separate dreamers from doers. Matt emphasizes the importance of taking action over endless preparation, learning by doing rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity. He reveals how a simple yet strategic approach—leveraging persistence, resourcefulness, and a willingness to fail—opened doors they never imagined possible.

With lessons that apply far beyond one's own field, this episode serves as a reminder that success often comes down to one key factor: the willingness to show up and put in the work, every single day.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Matt's college journey, starting as a mechanical engineer and then switching to computer science.
• How Matt started using a camera for fun and saw it as a potential business opportunity.
• How an 'all-in' mentality helped him figure things out quickly and achieve his goal of making enough money to live in San Diego.
• The importance of consistency and effort in achieving excellence.
• And so much more...

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Hirad Emadi, co-founder and President of Innovative Construction Solutions.

During this engaging conversation, Matt explores the journey of a successful entrepreneur who transitioned from a stable career to launching a thriving business. Hirad highlights the importance of identifying gaps in the market and consistently adding value, which can lead to repeat business and long-term success.

You'll discover the dynamics of partnerships in business, as well as the benefits and potential pitfalls of working with partners. Gain insights on how compromise and shared values are crucial for a successful partnership, and how different approaches can lead to various outcomes.

This episode provides a rich tapestry of experiences and lessons for anyone interested in the entrepreneurial journey.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why consistently adding value and addressing gaps in service can lead to repeat business and long-term success.
• The dynamics of business partnerships, including the benefits of compromise and shared values, and how different approaches can impact the success of a venture.
• Achieving balance between a demanding career and personal life, and the importance of family and community involvement.
• The value of developing essential skills like people skills and writing skills early in your career, and how these can contribute to long-term success.
• The concept that passion can emerge from hard work and success, even in areas you weren't initially passionate about, and the importance of staying open to new passions.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Hirad's LinkedIn

Innovative Construction Solutions

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Brad Baldridge, certified financial planner, college funding consultant, and chief podcaster at Taming the High Cost of College.

Matt and Brad explore the multifaceted process of preparing for an important milestone that affects many families—paying for college. They discuss various strategies and options available to navigate this complex landscape, as well as the importance of understanding different types of support and how they can impact overall outcomes.

You'll discover the specific challenges faced by those in unique situations, such as owning a business or dealing with unexpected financial changes. You'll also find insights on how to leverage available resources and make strategic choices to optimize benefits.

Whether dealing with financial aid, merit-based awards, or other types of support, this episode provides valuable guidance for anyone facing this pivotal stage in life.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The differences between need-based aid and merit-based aid, and how to identify which type of aid you might qualify for.
• Why top-tier schools like Harvard and Yale often do not offer merit aid and focus solely on need-based aid, and how this can affect your financial planning.
• Specific strategies for business owners to manage their finances and maximize aid eligibility, including tax benefits and income management.
• The importance of finding a college where you will thrive, and how this decision can outweigh the prestige of attending a more expensive institution.
• Practical advice on leveraging available resources, doing thorough research, and making informed decisions to achieve long-term success in your educational journey.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Taming the High Cost of College

Baldridge College Solutions

Brad's LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Darton Case, owner and CEO of Dart Appraisal Services.

They discuss the challenges and triumphs faced in building a lasting business. Darton offers insights on having a long-term vision, emphasizing how critical it is for entrepreneurs to diversify and not rely too heavily on a single client or market.

You'll discover the evolution of Darton's role from a hands-on entrepreneur to a CEO who empowers his team to take the reins. The conversation explores the importance of continuous learning and the value of being part of a supportive peer group.

Darton also touches on the sacrifices and decisions that shaped his path, particularly the intense focus and work ethic required in his 20s, as well as the significance of finding a career that aligns with one's passions and strengths.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The difficulties entrepreneurs face, including the statistic that 90% of businesses fail within the first few years.
• How Darton's company expanded statewide and then nationally by diversifying their client base and focusing on service excellence.
• Darton's commitment to continuous learning through organizations like EO, where he gained insights from peers facing similar challenges.
• How strategic acquisitions are crucial in overcoming stagnation and regulatory challenges in Darton's industry.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Dart Appraisal Services

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In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Ryan Coon, entrepreneur and former CEO / co-owner of Avail.

Ryan outlines some of the invaluable lessons learned from his early career experiences. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking, particularly how connections made during internships and college can lead to unexpected opportunities later in life.

You'll learn about the serendipity of reconnecting with former colleagues and mentors in various professional contexts, illustrating the long-term benefits of maintaining a robust professional network.

Ryan reflects on the journey of growing his business from a small startup to a thriving company, the strategies that led to their success, and the importance of being intentional and deliberate with one's time and efforts.

You'll also get a glimpse into the high-stakes world of acquisitions, detailing the unique process Ryan underwent when his company caught the interest of major industry players.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How connections made during internships and college can lead to significant professional opportunities in the future.
• Strategies for being deliberate and intentional with your time to achieve high performance in your professional endeavors.
• The importance of maintaining confidence and persistence in the face of rejection, and understanding it as part of the journey to success.
• The value of building optionality in your career and business decisions, ensuring you have multiple paths and opportunities available.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Ryan's LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Madi McSwain, an insurance agent with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.

Madi shares her unique journey and the strategies she has employed to achieve success in her professional life. She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building, strategic planning, and maintaining a customer-focused approach.

You'll discover the challenges Madi encountered in her early days starting from scratch, the sacrifices she made, and the relentless work ethic that drove her to the top. Be inspired by her story of perseverance, dedication, and the strategic choices that have defined her career.

You'll also get a glimpse into the impact of supportive relationships and how Madi's upbringing and the encouragement from loved ones have played a pivotal role in her achievements.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The advantages of being a multi-line agent and how it simplifies clients’ insurance needs, making it cost-effective and easier to manage.
• The challenges and rewards of starting as a scratch agent, focusing on new business development, and transitioning to managing a book of business through referrals.
• The value of giving back and helping others, inspired by the guest’s own experiences and the positive impact of her internship.
• The career progression within the insurance industry and the skills and attitudes necessary to advance from entry-level to higher responsibilities.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Madi's LinkedIn

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

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In this engaging episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by David Renberg, a successful entrepreneur who started his own real estate brokerage at a remarkably young age.

Throughout the conversation, David reflects on his journey, offering insights and advice based on his experiences. He shares key moments of growth and realization, touching on topics like work-life balance, team building, and the importance of perspective in handling challenges.

You'll take a journey through David's career, from the early days of starting his brokerage to his present-day successes. The discussion also dives into the mindset required to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of staying grounded and focused on long-term goals.

David's story will resonate with anyone seeking to make a positive impact, showcasing the power of perseverance and the value of building meaningful connections in both business and life.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The core values of David's business, emphasizing integrity, excellence, and kindness.
• How hiring the right staff and delegating tasks effectively has helped him grow his business and maintain a better work-life balance.
• David's advice to his younger self: to not stress over every detail and task.
• David's insights from the book "What's Best Next" by Matt Perman, highlighting the concept of scheduling your day at 70% capacity.
• Why David believes his greatest impact may come from his influence on others, particularly his children and those he mentors.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Foundation Realty

David's LinkedIn

What's Best Next book

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In this engaging episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Mason Lindsay, a promising young entrepreneur, exploring the journey of career discovery and personal growth.

Mason reflects on the pressures and misconceptions surrounding the need to determine a lifelong career path early on, contrasting it with the more realistic approach of exploring various opportunities. You'll discover insights on how a mindset of appreciation and gratitude can open doors and create opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Mason also offers insights on the importance of surrounding oneself with inspiring and supportive individuals. Throughout this insightful conversation, you'll learn to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and to recognize the potential that lies in gratitude, sacrifice, and supportive relationships.

Don't miss another episode of The Edge of Excellence podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The misconception that people need to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives early on.
• The importance of making sacrifices, such as giving up leisure activities like playing Xbox, to achieve long-term goals.
• The importance of effort, bravery, and adherence to high standards in generating further success.
• The value of surrounding oneself with motivated and successful individuals to provide guidance and support.
• Why taking on responsibility, such as managing and inspiring a team, can make it easier to make sacrifices and stay committed to goals.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Grace Jones as they discuss her professional journey and the significance of internships and diverse work experiences in shaping her career. She reflects on how college internships, particularly those that allowed her to run her own business, provided her with the freedom and guidance to explore and succeed in the business world. Grace highlights how these opportunities equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in various industries, emphasizing that if the right opportunities aren't available, one should take initiative to create them.

Grace's path took an interesting turn when she moved into a role in entertainment sales at Back Nine, a company distinct from her original career aspirations in the music industry. Her role involves crafting unique event experiences, requiring her to leverage high-level communication and problem-solving skills to meet diverse client needs. This role has not only allowed her to refine her sales and management skills but has also positioned her strategically for lateral moves within the entertainment and music industries. Grace underscores the importance of adapting and transferring skills across different fields to achieve one's career goals.

The conversation also explores personal challenges Grace has faced, particularly her recovery from multiple hip surgeries during college, which forced her to pause her career pursuits temporarily. This period of forced inactivity provided her with valuable time for self-reflection and personal growth, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability. Grace discusses how surrounding herself with supportive people and engaging in activities that brought her joy helped her navigate these challenges effectively. She concludes with reflections on the sacrifices made during her college years, noting that while she may have missed out on typical college experiences, the choices she made were instrumental in setting her up for future success.

Join Matt and Grace for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How college internships provide the freedom and structure to create your own business, book clients, and shape your professional path under expert guidance.
• The importance of lateral movement in a career, how to combine passion with professional success, and the significance of taking on different roles to gain diverse experiences that prepare you for your ultimate career goals.
• How facing and overcoming personal challenges, like managing multiple surgeries, can contribute to personal growth, better self-awareness, and professional clarity.
• How selling techniques can vary significantly between industries like home services and entertainment, and why mastering these can be crucial to career advancement in sales.
• How critical listening, communication, and problem-solving skills are developed through real-world experience, not just classroom learning, and how these skills apply across various job roles and industries.
• The sacrifices made during formative years and how these choices, often in lieu of typical leisure activities, set the stage for future professional achievements and satisfaction.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Sishir Reddy, CEO and co-founder of Episource, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges and pivotal moments that shaped his career. Initially inspired by his father's suggestion to explore medical billing, Sishir set out to establish a medical billing outsourcing business in India. With his father's practice as his first client, he learned the intricacies of the industry and gradually built a team, starting with his first employee, Gopi. The business slowly expanded as Sishir leveraged his network of doctors in Southern California, a strategy that eventually led to a significant turning point when he was introduced to a larger managed care organization. This connection allowed him to pivot from medical billing to risk adjustment coding services, recognizing a niche market with greater growth potential.

Sishir's journey underscores the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities. After realizing the complexities and limitations of managing a medical billing business, he and his partners decided to focus entirely on the burgeoning field of risk adjustment coding for health plans. This strategic pivot paid off, leading to rapid growth and the eventual shutdown of their initial business model. By 2008, the company was thriving, and by maintaining a disciplined, bootstrapped approach, they reached significant revenue milestones without outside capital. Sishir also navigated complex partnership dynamics, bringing on his partner's son-in-law, whose finance and operational expertise complemented his strengths in sales and strategy. This collaboration proved crucial in scaling the business to new heights.

Ultimately, Sishir's decision to sell the business to UnitedHealth Group marked the culmination of his entrepreneurial efforts. Post-exit, he faced a period of adjustment, grappling with a sense of loss and seeking new directions. This introspective phase led him to prioritize family time and philanthropic endeavors, focusing on education and healthcare within his community. Embracing a mentor and advisor role, Sishir aims to leverage his extensive experience to support emerging businesses and make a positive impact. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic pivots, and the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of changing circumstances.

Join Matt and Sishir for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How Sishir recognized the opportunity to pivot from medical billing to risk adjustment coding services for health plans.
• The importance of identifying and adapting to new market opportunities.
• The advantages of maintaining a bootstrapped mentality, generating positive cash flow and reinvesting in the business to drive growth without relying on outside capital.
• The value of leveraging complementary skills in business partnerships.
• The challenges and strategies for managing fast-paced growth in a business.
• The risks and rewards of involving family members in business, and how Sishir balanced family ties with professional responsibilities.
• The considerations and strategic thinking involved in deciding to sell a business.
• The emotional challenges that can follow after exiting a business and strategies for finding new purpose and direction.
• How Sishir transitioned from business to philanthropic efforts, giving back to the community and supporting local initiatives in education and healthcare.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Episource

Sishir's LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Jeff Gunhus, a seasoned entrepreneur, to discuss the concept of excellence and business leadership. Jeff defines excellence as a deliberate choice to pursue the best version of oneself across all life's endeavors, stressing the importance of being both content and driven. Throughout their conversation, Jeff shares insights from his journey of building a successful business empire, emphasizing the pivotal role of making strategic choices, even when they entail personal sacrifices, such as missing out on leisure activities to focus on career growth.

The discussion then pivots to Jeff's entrepreneurial experiences, where he elaborates on transitioning his business model in response to unforeseen challenges, such as regulatory changes and market dynamics. This shift notably involved downsizing from $6 million to $1.6 million in revenue, which set the stage for a remarkable recovery and growth trajectory, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Jeff highlights the critical role of team building and maintaining a brand that genuinely resonates with both employees and customers, fostering a culture of high performance and mutual respect.

Towards the end of the episode, Jeff and Matt explore the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors, which ensures sustained passion and commitment. Jeff shares personal anecdotes, including his family's involvement in community service, illustrating how personal values deeply influence professional actions and company culture. The episode concludes with Jeff reflecting on the sacrifices made during his career, reinforcing that short-term trade-offs can lead to long-term rewards, encapsulating the podcast's theme of striving towards excellence through thoughtful decision-making and persistent effort.

Join Matt and Jeff for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How excellence is not about being the best in the field but striving to be the best version of oneself.
• How to transition from small-scale successes to major brand building, and the importance of vision in scaling businesses effectively.
• How effective partnerships are crucial and how mutual understanding and shared goals strengthen business relationships.
• Jeff's experiences of balancing career ambitions with personal life, providing a blueprint for managing professional growth without compromising personal relationships.
• The long-term impacts of early career choices and the importance of international exposure and adapting to various cultural environments.
• The resilience businesses require to adapt to external changes, like regulatory shifts, and how these can be opportunities for significant growth.
• How a company's values and culture contribute to its success, and how to integrate personal values into your business practices for holistic success.
• Insights into taking full ownership of one’s actions and decisions in business, promoting a leadership style that fosters accountability and growth.
• The significance of finding joy in one’s professional journey, regardless of the challenges faced, which can lead to a more fulfilling career and life.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Home Genius Exteriors

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by guest Kory Finley, as they focus on Kory's journey to personal and professional excellence. The discussion opens with Kory sharing his definition of excellence as the consistent effort to perform at one's best every day, regardless of the circumstances. Kory narrates his life story, from being a multi-sport athlete in high school to entering the challenging world of business and cattle ranching. He emphasizes the importance of taking personal responsibility and learning from setbacks to propel oneself towards success.

During the discussion, Kory discusses his time in college and his early career, particularly his involvement with College Works, where he excelled as a freshman intern. His success was partly due to his competitive nature and the desire to be recognized as the best. Kory reflects on the moments that shaped his career, including significant sales achievements and the strategic decisions he made, like turning down financial support from his parents to foster independence and avoid any potential for guilt-driven influence.

Kory's philosophy revolves around ownership and responsibility, believing that these are critical to achieving excellence. He shares how confronting and overcoming challenges, like dealing with customer complaints and leading teams, were invaluable learning experiences. Throughout the episode, Kory and Matt highlight the importance of making deliberate choices about how to spend one's time and the value of investing in meaningful activities and relationships that promote personal growth and success.

Join Matt and Kory for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Kory's definition of excellence as the persistent effort to perform at your best daily, regardless of external conditions.
• The importance of taking ownership of problems and failures as a key strategy for personal and professional growth.
• How early job experiences, such as working in concrete construction and cattle ranching, shaped Kory’s work ethic and success.
• Why Kory attributes his success to a competitive disposition, striving to be the best in his endeavors.
• His experience of setting a high sales record as a goal, illustrating the power of high aspirations.
• Turning setbacks into learning opportunities, and how to convert failures into stepping stones toward success.
• The importance of financial independence from family to avoid guilt-driven decisions.
• The importance of investing time wisely and making choices that align with long-term goals.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Sean Phelps, as they explore the concept of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of gaining practical experiences outside traditional educational pathways. Sean reflects on his journey, highlighting his involvement with College Works, where he developed essential business skills by managing teams and projects while still in college. He shares insights about the value of real-world applications of business concepts, advising aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on technical skills in college and seek out entrepreneurial experiences in the broader world, using resources like the Kauffman Foundation and Y Combinator.

During the discussion, Sean elaborates on his career trajectory, including the tough decisions he faced when offered a full-time position that conflicted with his existing commitments. He shares a critical turning point where he chose to prioritize his role at College Works, attributing his professional skills and opportunities to the experiences he gained there. This choice led to him eventually being fired from the FinTech company he was involved with, underscoring the challenges and sacrifices inherent in balancing multiple career paths and the unpredictable nature of startup environments.

Matt and Sean also explore the personal aspects of entrepreneurship, discussing the integration of work, family, and personal life. Sean credits his entrepreneurial flexibility with allowing him to commit time to family and personal interests, advocating for a balanced life where work does not overshadow other responsibilities. They conclude by stressing the importance of building a solid reputation through hard work and reliability, which in turn fosters professional relationships and opens up opportunities for future ventures and collaborations.

Join Matt and Sean for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How hands-on experience in the field can surpass traditional education paths for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Why challenging economic times, such as the 2008 financial crisis, can serve as the best periods to hone entrepreneurial skills and lead businesses.
• How adapting to circumstances by working smarter and harder can set a foundation for success.
• Strategies for managing a successful career while maintaining strong family ties and personal wellbeing.
• How entrepreneurship offers the flexibility to prioritize life events without sacrificing professional growth.
• How past failures and humility in leadership can enhance team performance and drive better results.
• The importance of empowering team members by recognizing their potential to surpass your achievements.
• How strategic time investment in work, relationships, and hobbies can lead to a more fulfilled and balanced life.
• The concept of 'investing time' vs. 'spending time,' and how this perspective can lead to more effective personal and professional life management.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Steve Kearley, from Benson Kearley Insurance as they discuss the elements of success, the entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth through business endeavors. Steve shares his journey from selling designer jeans out of his high school locker to becoming a prominent figure in the insurance industry. He emphasizes the significance of self-measurement and personal growth over comparing oneself to others, highlighting how his definition of excellence has evolved over the years. Steve's narrative is peppered with insights on overcoming societal expectations and focusing on one's strengths and unique abilities.

Throughout the discussion, Steve stresses the importance of networking, not in the traditional sense of merely exchanging business cards, but in building meaningful, reciprocal relationships without immediate expectations. This approach to networking, according to Steve, involves connecting people, helping others without a direct benefit to oneself, and ultimately, building a network based on trust and mutual respect. Both Steve and Matt reflect on their experiences within the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), underscoring how such networks have facilitated their business growth and personal development.

The conversation also delves into Steve's strategic approach to his insurance business, where he shifted focus from traditional metrics to providing real value to customers through educational seminars and resources that go beyond insurance. This value-driven approach helped differentiate his company in a competitive market. Steve's commitment to his team and ethical business practices, even post-business sale, reflects his dedication to ensuring the welfare of his employees and maintaining a legacy of integrity and trust. This episode not only explores the nuances of entrepreneurial success but also provides practical advice for personal and professional growth.

Join Matt and Steve for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How excellence isn't about surpassing others but measuring personal growth over time, understanding and leveraging your unique abilities
• The true value of networking: building authentic relationships and helping others without expecting something in return, rather than merely exchanging contacts for personal gain.
• Embracing failures as learning opportunities, fostering resilience, and continuous personal development.
• The characteristics that often define entrepreneurs, such as a dislike for being employed, the necessity for freedom, and the ability to see and seize opportunities for innovation and leadership.
• How to differentiate your business in a competitive market by providing additional value beyond the core services, using Steve’s approach in the insurance industry as a model.
• How setting and adhering to clear company values can simplify decision-making processes and contribute to long-term business success.
• Advice for young entrepreneurs on setting and sharing goals, the importance of mentorship, and why it's vital to understand and align with your core values.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Benson Kearley IFG

Steve's LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Brett Apel as he shares his journey from a college student to becoming an entrepreneur and business executive. Bret emphasizes the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and pushing boundaries to achieve success. He discusses his initial uncertainty about his career path and how his experience with College Works Painting opened the door to entrepreneurship, teaching him valuable business and life skills. Bret's story is a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and work ethic, one can turn challenges into opportunities and achieve remarkable success at a young age.

The conversation explores the concept of excellence, exploring how Bret's definition of excellence as a constant pursuit of self-improvement and challenging oneself has propelled him forward. They highlight the importance of resilience, open-mindedness, and taking ownership of one's actions to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. Bret stresses the significance of not resting on past laurels but instead, using previous successes as a foundation for future achievements.

The episode touches on the sacrifices required for success, with Bret recounting the social pressures and the need for balance between work, personal growth, and social life he faced during college. He emphasizes the value of making tough choices early in life to set oneself up for long-term success, framing his sacrifices as a means to gain a head start in life. Bret's journey underscores the message that embracing challenges, maintaining a positive and resilient attitude, and continuously striving for excellence can lead to fulfilling and successful outcomes.

Join Matt and Brett for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Brett's decision to pursue entrepreneurship, emphasizing hard work, the desire to learn, and the ambition to succeed without constraints.
• His personal definition of excellence as the continuous pursuit of challenging oneself to be the best version possible.
• The significance of resilience and keeping an open mind to overcome obstacles and find one's path.
• The role of effort and time in developing strong relationships, whether with friends, coworkers, or family.
• Brett's approach to learning from both successes and failures, without dwelling on the past.
• The importance of balance and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term pleasures.
• Brett's belief in embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by John Bruckner, a consultant and advisor with a unique blend of legal and financial expertise. John shares his journey from being a finance major to becoming an influential figure in the legal consulting world, emphasizing the importance of being open to opportunities and seeking mentorship. He recounts his decision to pursue law school while working, which ultimately led him to meet Byron McFarland, who played a pivotal role as his mentor. John's story highlights the value of curiosity, perseverance, and the willingness to seek and listen to advice from those more experienced.

Throughout the discussion, John stresses the critical skills needed for success in his field, including active listening, follow-through, expertise, and perseverance. He suggests that aspiring professionals should immerse themselves in learning opportunities and build relationships with mentors to navigate their careers effectively. John's approach to becoming a successful consultant involves a mix of continuous learning, understanding the importance of client relationships, and the ability to provide expert advice while admitting when further research is needed. His insights into building a career path that blends law and finance shed light on the non-linear nature of professional growth and the benefits of cross-disciplinary knowledge.

The conversation also explores the concept of work-life integration, where John advocates for a mindset of always being "on" but in a way that allows for flexibility and geographical freedom. This approach, he argues, is made possible by a career that aligns closely with one's interests and unique abilities, thus blurring the lines between work and personal life. By accepting the opportunity costs associated with prioritizing work, John suggests that professionals can achieve a form of freedom that allows for significant personal and professional satisfaction. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the journey to finding one's niche in the professional world, emphasizing that success comes from aligning one's work with their passions and strengths, leading to a fulfilling career.

Join Matt and John for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How actively listening to clients and seeking mentorship can lay the foundation for a successful career in law or any professional field.
• How John's background in finance and his decision to pursue law school led him to a unique niche in legal consulting for businesses.
• The core skills essential for success in legal consulting, including writing, case law analysis, and the application of law.
• The business side of law, including the job market dynamics and the financial implications of pursuing a career in law.
• Strategies for setting oneself apart in the legal field, such as embracing curiosity, networking, and leveraging unique skill sets.
• The concept of work-life integration as opposed to strict work-life balance.
• The sacrifices required for professional growth and how understanding opportunity cost can guide career decisions.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt encourages listeners to engage in the process of brainstorming goals, emphasizing the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals as a fundamental approach to achieving personal aspirations. He illustrates how such goals can transform everyday objectives into actionable plans, offering the example of a fitness goal to lose 30 pounds within a year by going to the gym five days a week and burning a specific number of calories. Matt's method underlines the necessity of defining goals that are not only ambitious but also grounded in reality, highlighting the principle that what gets measured, gets done.

Matt extends the discussion to include a wider array of goals, touching on life planning and the significance of considering one's legacy. He encourages listeners to think about their goals in a holistic manner, covering aspects of life such as relationships, career, personal development, and even one's impact on the world. The episode explores the importance of writing down goals to increase the likelihood of achievement and advocates for a dynamic goal-setting process that is adaptable and regularly reviewed. This process is illustrated through the introduction of concepts like BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) and SMART goals, stressing the power of written and flexible goals that are regularly evaluated.

The episode wraps up with a comprehensive overview of goal setting across different life stages and areas, from immediate, everyday objectives to long-term aspirations. Matt's advice encompasses setting goals with a clear, sound mind and body, the value of brainstorming in both personal and group settings, and the structured approach to translating these goals into actionable plans. He emphasizes the role of goal setting in fostering a purposeful life and achieving personal and professional growth, and invites listeners to consider their legacies beyond mere accomplishments. The episode serves as a motivational guide for listeners of all ages, particularly those in their twenties, to start setting and pursuing their goals with intention and discipline.

Join Matt for this fascinating episode.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How to establish Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals to transform everyday aspirations into actionable plans.
• The significance of writing down your goals to significantly increase your chances of success.
• The comprehensive nature of goal setting, covering aspects such as time management, stress management, relationship management, and more.
• Why being flexible and adaptable with your goals is crucial, especially in the face of unforeseen circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The importance of considering a broad range of life aspects when setting goals, including personal relationships, financial stability, physical health, and spiritual wellness, among others.
• The often-overlooked aspect of celebrating achievements, big or small.
• Setting visionary goals that challenge and inspire you or your organization to stretch beyond current capacities.
• Setting goals appropriate to different life stages and time frames, from immediate daily goals to long-term aspirations, and how to align them with your ultimate life vision.
• The necessity of a regular review process for your goals, allowing for necessary adjustments and ensuring alignment with changing circumstances or priorities.
• Goal setting as a dynamic, ongoing process essential for both personal development and professional advancement.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Gavin Lantzy, CEO of SaaviHome, a company specializing in home technology installation and now venturing into franchising. Gavin discusses the importance of accountability and discipline in achieving business goals, emphasizing a culture of determination where goals are pursued ‘hell or high water.’ He shares his journey from an executive in home entertainment to taking over the family business from his father, transforming it into a leader in its industry. This transformation was fueled by his belief in continuous improvement and his passion, not just for the business itself, but for the process of learning and growth.

Gavin's story also explores personal challenges and pivotal moments, including a serious injury that shifted his path from aspiring professional skier to entrepreneur. This adversity led him to embrace new opportunities, including starting his own business through the entrepreneurial training program College Works Painting. He credits his early start and the mentors who guided him for his success, highlighting the sacrifice and time investment required to achieve long-term goals. Gavin's approach to balancing life and work emphasizes the necessity of occasional imbalance to ensure overall life balance and success.

The conversation transitions into Gavin's current challenges and aspirations as he leads Savvy Homes into the franchising world. He discusses the need to develop new skill sets, such as strategic vision, execution framework, and financial management, crucial for navigating the complexities of a growing business. The loss of his father in a tragic accident emerges as a profound moment, inspiring Gavin to honor his father's legacy through his work. This personal loss transformed into a driving force for Gavin, underscoring the episode's theme of finding opportunity in adversity and the continuous journey towards excellence.

Join Matt and Lisa for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The necessity of creating a culture where goals are pursued with utmost dedication.
• Gavin's transition from a potential skiing career to entrepreneurship after a significant injury.
• His evolution from working in home entertainment to taking over and expanding the family business into a leading brand.
• Gavin's personal definition of excellence as a continuous process of improvement, rather than a final destination.
• The nuances of transitioning leadership within a family business, including setting up a formal buyout and aligning on a shared vision.
• The new skills and mindset required as SaaviHome shifts towards franchising, from strategic vision to financial management.
• How the tragic loss of Gavin's father became a driving force, the power of legacy and the motivational aspect of personal connections in business.
• Gavin's choice to prioritize his career in his youth, setting a foundation for future freedom and success.
• And so much more...

Resources:

SaaviHome

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt shares insightful strategies for navigating the college job search, emphasizing the importance of preparation and strategic application. He begins by advising against starting with the most anticipated interviews, suggesting instead to conduct several "burner interviews" for practice. He underscores the hard work required in job hunting, highlighting the culmination of 18 years of education and the need to put in additional effort to stand out.

Matt then introduces his "hack" for the job search process, which includes "wormholing" through the internet to explore industries, companies, and career paths. He stresses the significance of bundling applications to ensure that interviews, offers, and decisions coincide, making the process more manageable. Matt encourages listeners to exploit every resource available, from career centers and job fairs to alumni networks and personal connections, to secure interviews and gather information.

The episode concludes with Matt offering practical tips for preparing for interviews, including practicing answering common questions and researching companies thoroughly. He emphasizes the final push in the job search journey, where the last 10% of effort differentiates the exceptional from the average. Matt's message is clear: with diligent preparation, strategic application, and a bit of hard work, finding a fulfilling career is within reach.

Join Matt for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of sequencing interviews for optimal performance and confidence building.
• The concept of "bundling" applications and interviews to manage job offers and decisions efficiently.
• The significance of research in understanding a company's mission, vision, values, and news to tailor applications and interviews.
• The importance of practicing interview questions, focusing on what you can contribute to the company rather than what the company can offer you.
• Why the job search should be seen a marathon, not a sprint, requiring sustained effort and strategic planning.
• The role of personal and professional networks in uncovering job opportunities.
• The importance of exploring various industries and roles to find a good fit for your career aspirations.
• Tips on making informed decisions based on comprehensive research and self-reflection.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is by Lisa Merage, the newly named Governor of Portland Thorns FC as she discusses her journey and the underlying beliefs that have guided her career path. She emphasizes the concept of stewardship rather than ownership, reflecting on how her past experiences in various fields have culminated in her current position, where she aims to make a significant impact on women in sports and business. Lisa's story underscores a life dedicated to finding purpose through giving back to society, leveraging her roles across different industries to foster positive change.

Lisa's transition from the fashion industry to sports underscores a strategic shift towards areas with significant social impact. Her work in the family business and later in sports investment illustrates a keen sense of initiative and a drive to push boundaries, particularly in promoting women's sports. The development and planned improvements for the Portland Thorns, including a world-class practice facility, are a testament to her commitment to providing the best for female athletes. This endeavor is part of a broader strategy to elevate women's soccer on a global scale, highlighting the potential of the NWSL as the leading women's soccer league worldwide.

The episode also explores Lisa's personal philosophy, emphasizing the importance of leading by example and the notion that everyone's purpose is to contribute positively to society. Her decision to work a full-time job during her senior year of college, sacrificing social engagements for career advancement, exemplifies the hard work and dedication that have characterized her professional journey. Lisa's story is a compelling narrative of resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep-rooted commitment to making a lasting impact on the world around her, particularly in the realm of women's sports and empowerment.

Join Matt and Lisa for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Lisa's view of leadership roles as stewardship, particularly in the context of her position with the Portland Thorns.
• Her journey from fashion to sports, and how varied career experiences can converge to fulfill a broader purpose.
• The significance of taking initiative, being a self-starter, and the ability to see and act beyond one's immediate job description as key to professional growth and impact.
• How humility and a strong work ethic are foundational to successful careers and businesses.
• How businesses can contribute positively to society beyond traditional philanthropy.
• The potential of women's sports and the role of leadership in promoting gender equality and opportunities within and beyond the sports industry.
• Overcoming prejudice and the power of leading by example in personal and professional spheres.
• How foregoing short-term pleasures for long-term career opportunities can lead to significant professional advancements.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Lisa's LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Andrew Dickinson, as he shares the captivating journey of his life, marked by a blend of failures and triumphs that have shaped his unique perspective on success and personal growth. Emphasizing the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, Andrew recounts his experiences of financial ups and downs, underscoring that each setback brought him closer to his goals. His story unfolds from early ambitions of being the first man on Mars to becoming a millionaire by his late 20s, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of designing a life governed by his own standards of excellence.

Andrew's professional path is characterized by bold transitions, including his departure from a promising career as a General Manager of a multimillion-dollar car dealership to embark on various entrepreneurial ventures. This leap of faith into the uncertain world of startups and consulting, along with his decision to prioritize travel and life experiences over a traditional career trajectory, illustrates his commitment to living a life defined by passion and purpose. His journey is a testament to the power of saying "yes" to opportunities, learning from every experience, and the importance of goal setting in achieving personal and professional fulfillment.

The podcast also delves into Andrew's extraordinary year-long travel adventure, covering over 80 countries, which he embarked on with his wife, Samantha. This adventure was not just about escaping the routine but an intentional choice to explore the world and immerse themselves in diverse cultures, further enriching their lives. Through this experience, Andrew highlights the significance of balance, the value of experiences over material possessions, and the profound impact of intentional living. His story is a compelling reminder that success is not just measured by financial achievements, but by the richness of one's experiences and the courage to live life on one's own terms.

Join Matt and Andrew for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How Andrew views failure as an essential part of his journey, teaching that each setback is a step closer to achieving your goals.
• Andrew's definition of excellence as designing a life by your own standards and being the best at whatever you choose to do.
• How his early exposure to goal setting, influenced by speakers like Jack Daly, laid the foundation for his success.
• Andrew's bold career moves, from leaving a high-paying GM position to exploring startups and other ventures.
• How saying "yes" and helping others without expecting anything in return can open unexpected doors.
• How Andrew and his wife embarked on a year-long journey visiting over 80 countries, the significance of balancing work with life's adventures and the enriching experiences that travel brings.
• The sacrifices Andrew made in his 20s, including living below his means and making strategic decisions that enabled his later successes and adventures.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Genevieve Elefante-Sigmund, president of Platinum Storage, as she shares her journey and insights into the real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and resilience. Genevieve's philosophy revolves around the joy of the journey rather than the pursuit of material success. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming anxiety and self-doubt, and how these struggles led her to value self-improvement and perseverance above all. Her story is a testament to the belief that continuous effort and a positive mindset can lead to fulfilling achievements, both personally and professionally.

Throughout the podcast, Genevieve provides an in-depth look into the self-storage sector, highlighting how she and her family navigated the complexities of the industry to build a successful business. From site selection to raising capital and dealing with competitive markets, she elucidates the strategic and operational challenges involved. Her role in transforming the family business into a significant player in the self-storage market illustrates her expertise and dedication to innovation. Genevieve's approach to business, focusing on smart growth and leveraging opportunities for value addition, serves as a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs seeking to carve out their niches in competitive landscapes.

Moreover, Genevieve touches on the importance of diversity and inclusion within professional spaces, sharing her experiences as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry. She discusses her efforts to promote gender equality and the positive impact of having diverse perspectives in business. Her leadership in fostering an inclusive environment, coupled with her advocacy for women's representation in the real estate sector, underscores the broader significance of her work beyond financial success. Genevieve's story is not just one of business acumen but also of breaking barriers and inspiring change, making her insights especially relevant for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

Join Matt and Genevieve for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Genevieve's perspective on how personal growth and the experiences gained throughout one's career are more valuable than monetary success.
• Her experiences with anxiety, self-doubt, and identity crisis and the importance of self-care and perseverance.
• A deep dive into the self-storage sector, such as site selection and the evolution of storage facilities.
• The process of raising capital through friends, family, and institutional investors, as well as the importance of building and maintaining trustworthy relationships in business.
• The challenges and benefits of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
• The importance of setting realistic goals and not being overly attached to specific outcomes.
• Genevieve's experience in voicing her opinions and standing up for her values in a professional setting showcases the importance of authenticity.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Genevieve's LinkedIn

Platinum Storage

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Suraj Akotia, who shares his unique journey from aspiring attorney to becoming a multifaceted corporate counsel and Chief Operating Officer. Suraj discusses the importance of maintaining an open mind and the willingness to undertake various roles beyond his legal expertise. His approach to continuous personal and professional growth, coupled with his ability to deliver value across different facets of the business, underscores his philosophy that excellence is about constant improvement and learning.

They do a deep dive into Suraj's career trajectory, highlighting the pivotal moments and decisions that shaped his path. Suraj's story is a testament to the power of exploring new opportunities, engaging with challenges head-on, and seeking out mentorship and learning in every situation. From his early days interning at an asset management firm to his strategic move into in-house counsel and operations, Suraj's journey is filled with insights on navigating career transitions, embracing change, and the significance of aligning personal goals with broader organizational objectives.

Prepare to be inspired by Suraj's definition of excellence and his approach to career development. His experiences offer valuable lessons on the benefits of stepping outside one's comfort zone, the impact of mentorship, and the importance of contributing to a company's growth beyond conventional role expectations. This episode is a must for anyone interested in law, operations, or anyone seeking motivation to pursue excellence in their careers and personal lives.

Join Matt and Suraj for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of being open to taking on various roles beyond one's job title or expertise area.
• Suraj's transition from corporate attorney to COO, showcasing the blend of law, operations, and corporate strategy in his career path.
• Suraj's evolved definition of excellence as a continuous process of learning and growing, rather than just being the best at something.
• The role of seeking mentorship and building a supportive network in navigating career transitions and opportunities.
• How in-house counsel roles provide unique opportunities for lawyers to engage deeply with a single client, contributing significantly to business strategy and operations.
• The importance of exploring different departments, engaging with challenges, and looking for opportunities to implement solutions across the business.
• Adapting to regulatory changes, insurance issues, and other challenges by being proactive and willing to take on new tasks.
• How general counsel roles allow lawyers to practice in multiple areas of law, providing a broad perspective and the ability to hire experts as needed.
• Personal sacrifices Suraj made during his 20s, including financial and time investments in law school, which paved the way for his success.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Suraj's LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Joe Clavin, a distinguished financial advisor at Primerica, for an engaging conversation about the intricacies of financial planning and personal growth. Joe opens up about his journey, revealing his initial curiosity about money management and his mission to help people at various stages of financial literacy. From discussing the basics of emergency funds, debt management, and investing, to the nuances of planning for children's education, Joe emphasizes the importance of starting from wherever one is financially. His passion for aiding people in their financial journey, irrespective of their background or starting point, truly shines through.

Matt explores the evolution of a financial planner's career, highlighting the skills beyond mere financial acumen that are crucial for success in the industry. Joe reflects on the importance of being a teacher, a strategic thinker, an encourager, and sometimes even a mediator. The conversation sheds light on how the role of a financial planner extends far beyond managing finances - it's about understanding and connecting with people, making informed decisions, and navigating the complexities of human relationships and expectations in the context of financial planning.

Joe also shares personal anecdotes and valuable life lessons. He discusses the sacrifices made during his early years in business, the stress of entrepreneurship, and the confidence gained from overcoming these challenges. His advice to his younger self about focusing on character and long-term goals, along with the importance of personal growth and maintaining integrity, provides profound advice.

Join Matt and Joe for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The basics of managing personal finances, including emergency funds, debt management, and investment strategies.
• The journey from being a financial advisor to a leader in the industry, highlighting necessary skills such as teaching, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
• The importance of understanding clients' needs and preferences, and how financial planning involves more than just numbers – it’s about connecting with people.
• How facing and overcoming early career challenges and financial uncertainties can build character and resilience in an entrepreneur.
• The impact of personal character and integrity on long-term professional success and personal growth.
• What it takes to lead and grow a team of financial professionals, including the importance of recruitment, training, and motivation.
• The personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of career growth and how these choices shape future opportunities and personal fulfillment.
• The role of a financial planner as an educator, helping clients understand complex financial concepts and make informed decisions.
• Strategies for effectively managing client expectations and relationships in financial planning, acting as a mediator and advisor.
• Practical tips and advice for those considering a career in financial planning, including the importance of passion for helping others and continuous learning.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Jed Rothstein, an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker renowned for his skill in transforming real-life stories into compelling narratives that captivate and enlighten audiences worldwide. From his earliest days, Jed's passion for storytelling through film was evident, drawing inspiration from global hotspots, innovative investigative journeys, and novel explorations of the documentary form. His work reflects a deep commitment to not just telling stories, but telling them in ways that resonate deeply with viewers, highlighting his belief in the power of cinema to foster understanding and empathy among people.

Jed's conversation with Matt reveals the depth of his experience and his approach to filmmaking, which is rooted in a profound respect for the stories of individuals often overlooked by society. He shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of his career, including his journey from an anthropology student to a documentary filmmaker, his experiences filming in the midst of the Arab Spring, and the personal sacrifices he's made to tell stories that matter. Jed's definition of excellence — as doing everything to the best of one's ability and leaving no stone unturned — shines through as he discusses his projects, including his work with characters from diverse backgrounds and the impact these stories have had on his life and career.

This episode is not just a look behind the scenes of Jed's distinguished career but also a masterclass in the art of documentary filmmaking. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to pursue a career in this challenging yet rewarding field, as well as the importance of persistence, vision, and, most importantly, a heart for storytelling. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a documentary enthusiast, or someone curious about the power of real-life narratives, Jed's story is a testament to the impact that thoughtful, well-crafted documentaries can have on our world.

Join Matt and Jed for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How Jed specializes in turning complex real-life events into compelling cinematic narratives that both entertain and enlighten.
• Jed's transition from studying anthropology to becoming a documentary filmmaker, and how his academic background enriches his approach to storytelling.
• Jed's definition of excellence: putting your best effort into everything you do, striving for perfection in every project, and the importance of perseverance and follow-through.
• The unpredictable nature of documentary filmmaking, including adapting to unforeseen events like the Arab Spring, and the personal and professional growth that comes from navigating such challenges.
• The role of mentorship in Jed's career, how to seek out and engage with mentors, and the importance of being assertive in pursuing your vision and opportunities.
• The importance of finding a balance between pursuing creative passions and the practical aspects of filmmaking, including funding and production logistics.
• The ethical considerations and personal sacrifices involved in telling real and often sensitive stories, highlighting the responsibility filmmakers have to their subjects.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Lydia Hodgson, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, as she shares her powerful story and insights on mental health, excellence, and personal growth. Opening up about her own struggles with eating disorders and mental health in high school, Lydia emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health openly. Her bravery and openness have empowered many, especially young girls who resonated with her experience.

Matt explores Lydia's journey from a small town to achieving extraordinary success in college. Lydia, who broke records as a freshman by generating substantial revenue in a competitive internship, discusses her work ethic and the influence of her family. She attributes her success to lessons learned from her father's hard work and her brother's autism, which taught her the importance of organization and resilience.

The episode explores Lydia's philosophy of life, where she defines excellence as consistently bringing value and positivity through one's passion. She discusses the concept of "active waiting" – the idea of being proactive and open to growth while pursuing one's goals. Lydia's ambition in the fashion and marketing industry is driven by her desire to make a positive impact. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal excellence.

Join Matt and Lydia for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Lydia's personal journey with mental health challenges and her advocacy for open conversations about mental health.
• How Lydia's upbringing, her father's dedication to hard work, and her experiences with her brother's autism shaped her values and work ethic.
• Lydia's definition of excellence as bringing value and positivity through one's passion.
• The concept of "active waiting," or proactively engaging in growth opportunities even without a clear direction.
• Lydia's decision-making process and her choice to pursue a career in the fashion industry, despite lucrative offers elsewhere.
• Lydia's ability to turn personal challenges into strengths and her approach to seeking feedback and support from loved ones.
• Lydia's mission to make the world a better place through her actions and career choices.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt explores vital life skills and knowledge crucial for people in their twenties. The episode begins with a powerful message about the importance of relationship management, goal setting, and self-awareness, emphasizing that these skills don't come naturally but must be actively developed and practiced. Drawing from his rich experience as an entrepreneur, partner, husband, father, and mentor since 1993, Matt presents a list of the top ten things 20-somethings should know. These include time management, stress management, relationship management, goal setting, life planning, leadership, understanding DISC personality assessment, career hunting, emotional intelligence (EQ), and strategic planning.

Matt discusses how successful time management involves daily planning and adjustment, integrating both work and fun. He touches on stress management in the current high-pressure world, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between good and bad stress and developing coping mechanisms. Matt also stresses the significance of relationship management, asserting that one's social circle greatly influences their personal and professional growth.

The episode covers goal setting and life planning, where Matt encourages people to declutter their thoughts, set short and long-term goals, and think about the legacy they want to leave. He discusses leadership as a skill that requires continuous learning and practice, emphasizing servant leadership and the need to lead with vision and values. The DISC model is recommended for better understanding of oneself and others, crucial for personal and career development. Additionally, Matt provides guidance on the career hunt process, advocating for a strategic approach to job applications and interviews.

Join Matt for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How to develop and practice relationship management skills, as well as the significance of your social circle in shaping your personal and professional growth.
• How to transform dreams into actionable goals, and why goal setting is a critical skill for effective people, not just dreamers.
• Strategies for planning your day to ensure restful, worry-free sleep.
• The difference between good stress and bad stress, as well as coping mechanisms and tools for managing stress in today’s high-pressure environment.
• Explore methods for living a purpose-driven life and setting long-term goals, as well as the importance of aligning your actions with your values and dreams.
• The concept of servant leadership and leading with vision, as well as leadership styles and practices for making a meaningful impact.
• How DISC assessments can aid in career choice and improve interpersonal relationships.
• Effective techniques for job hunting, including industry research and strategic application processes.
• Tips on how to efficiently navigate the job market and align career choices with personal strengths.
• The importance of self-awareness and empathy in personal and professional settings, and how to enhance your EQ for better relationships and career success.
• The role of strategic planning in achieving long-term success, as well as methods for identifying and leveraging opportunities for growth and advancement.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Francisco Morales, executive chairman and co-founder of 5.11 Tactical. 5.11 Tactical manufactures and retails their clothing brand all over the world. Francisco shares his transformative journey, emphasizing the power of a paradigm shift and the importance of adopting a growth mindset. From grappling with the notion of self-imposed limits to pushing himself academically and professionally, Francisco's story is a testament to the idea that your limits are often where you set them. His commitment to self-improvement and embracing new challenges, like mastering the English language and excelling in his studies, underscores the impact of determination and hard work in shaping one's destiny.

Matt and Francisco explore the intricacies of building a brand that resonates with its audience, highlighting Francisco's journey with 5.11 Tactical. Francisco's approach, focusing on understanding customer needs and translating them into innovative, functional products, has been pivotal in the brand's success. The discussion sheds light on the importance of staying true to your core values while adapting to the evolving needs of your customers, a philosophy that has steered 5.11 Tactical to become a leader in its industry.

Francisco reflects on his personal growth, the sacrifices that paved the way for his successes, and the significance of maintaining balance in life. His insights on the interplay between professional achievements and personal fulfillment offer valuable lessons on pursuing excellence while staying grounded.

Join Matt and Francisco for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How changing your mindset can transform your life and professional journey.
• The importance of pushing beyond self-imposed limits, and how embracing challenges can lead to remarkable achievements.
• Francisco's approach at 5.11 Tactical, focusing on understanding and responding to customer needs to drive innovation and brand success.
• The strategies Francisco took in his path from a struggling student to becoming the CEO of a leading brand, emphasizing hard work, dedication, and continual learning.
• The significance of maintaining a balance between career ambitions and personal life, and how this balance contributes to overall success and fulfillment.
• Why focusing on your strengths rather than your weaknesses can be a more effective strategy for personal and professional growth.
• Francisco's early work experiences and the lessons he learned about the value of hard work and perseverance in achieving one's goals.
• How staying true to consumer needs and continually adapting to changes can lead to the creation of groundbreaking products.
• How thinking outside the box and embracing unorthodox solutions can lead to industry-changing innovations in product design.
• The significance of setting personal goals and regularly revisiting them to stay on track towards achieving your aspirations.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Francisco's LinkedIn

5.11 Tactical

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Rob Halvorsen, co-founder and CTO of Pacto Medical, a medical device company specializing in pre-filled syringes. Rob shares his journey of pursuing excellence, how he gave up a great job to become an entrepreneur, and offers insights and hacks on how to make it work.

He reveals the challenges he faced in middle school, including ADHD, and how he recovered from it. He reflects on his childhood interests and his inclination toward engineering and biology. You will hear about his experience studying biology in Costa Rica as part of a study abroad program. Rob is passionate about education and shares his involvement in the Young African Leadership Initiative. This initiative led to him teaching design thinking in Nigeria and playing a critical role in the creation of an innovation clinic.

Together with his co-founders Ryan and Ian, Rob embarked on an entrepreneurial journey driven by their shared passion for innovation. You’ll learn more about their latest entrepreneurial venture, developing pre-filled syringes for medical applications, and how well they complement each other as a team. He explains the benefits of prefilled syringes and the projected growth of this market. You’ll discover the progress they have made in the six months since they started and the next steps they'll take on their entrepreneurial journey.

He also discusses their dream of making their technology accessible worldwide, as well as networking and proactive communication to secure opportunities. He concludes by explaining why the fear of missing out becomes less when you are passionate about what you do, and recommends "Designing Your Life" to foster creativity and innovation.

Matt announces that this is the last episode of the current season and mentions that they will be taking a break until January.

Join Matt and Rob for an insightful conversation on the journey of becoming an entrepreneur, strategic partnerships, and passion for success.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The two facets of excellence, external and internal.
• The importance of biomimicry and learning from nature in developing innovative solutions.
• How much success is attributed to luck, and how much to hard work.
• His transition from a corporate job to entrepreneurship.
• Finding a niche when competing with larger companies.
• The importance of seeking expertise and having contingency plans.
• And so much more..

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Rob Halvorsen

About Pacto Medical

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Benn McCallister, president of Worldwide Golf Shops.

Benn recounts his personal journey, emphasizing that he has been involved with golf all his life and that this eventually sparked his deep passion for the sport. He will share how he was initially unsure about joining the family business because he wanted to stand out and make a name for himself. However, during college, the significant impact of the Internet piqued his interest and led him to explore web design. As a result, he created a website for his family's business, which quickly became very popular and valuable to the company. This pivotal experience eventually led him to join the family business.

After building the website, the decision for Benn to become president wasn't immediate. You’ll learn more about his career progression, including the initial skepticism about his involvement in the family business, which only fueled his determination, strong work ethic and success-oriented mindset. When he took on the role of president in 2017, one of his first acts was to join the YPO (Young Presidents' Organization). He shares how being a member of YPO has provided him with invaluable support and advice from experienced peers.

Shortly after joining YPO, Benn and his family decided to sell their business in 2019. He’ll talk about this challenging and tiring process that led to a period of tension and minimal communication among family members and partners. You’ll discover the new idea that Benn proposed, which marked a significant transition for him. After leaving the family business, Benn aimed for a better work-life balance and more time with his family. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Benn to temporarily separate from his family to launch his business. You’ll learn more about this challenging sacrifice.

Join Matt and Benn for an insightful conversation on Benn's path to excellence in the golf industry.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Benn’s definition of excellence.
• The detrimental effect of Instagram on the self-esteem of teens.
• How to take your passion and turn it into business.
• The launch of the e-commerce website and direct-to-consumer sales channels.
• How to take over a family business.
• The difference between a chip on the shoulder and an ax to grind.
• How to stay positive during tough times.
• The impact his wife has had on his business.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Benn McCallister

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Erin Bright, a successful entrepreneur and College Works alumni.

As Erin shares her journey, she discusses transitioning from college to entrepreneurship, the challenges of achieving success while balancing family life, and her current return to business. You'll learn why she chose College Works while still working at In-N-Out Burger. You'll also learn how Erin's transitioned from a high-achieving business career to high-impact parenting. Erin stresses the importance of actively seeking out opportunities for self-learning and education, such as reading books, participating in parenting groups, and fostering connections within the community surrounding your children's schools..

Matt and Erin discuss the importance of pursuing personal passions and finding activities that excite and motivate oneself. While the exact details of their launch are still being determined, Erin talks about their commitment to adapting and trying different approaches until they get the traction they want.

She’ll also talk about her focus on environmental sustainability as a passion. Listen in to learn why she’s excited about bringing her passion for sustainability to the product design and how they are actively incorporating sustainability into the design.

On a more personal level, Erin discusses finding joy in yoga, meditation, and occasional journaling.

Join Matt and Erin for an insightful conversation on being a high achiever, entrepreneurship and high-impact parenting.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Erin’s definition of excellence.
• The importance of exploring different paths in college and the value of internships.
• The significance of self-care while juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Keeping your options open and embracing opportunities along the way.
• The importance of letting your kids fail.
• The concept of circularity in sustainability.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Dean Treister, Managing Director at Sampling International and former professional rugby player.

Dean recounts his journey to becoming a professional athlete and shares the pivotal moments that ignited his self-belief. Along the way, he experienced a transformative shift in his mindset prioritizing the team's success over personal growth. Dean will talk about the importance of teamwork and how he applies it to every aspect of his life. He will open up about the brutal nature of his departure from the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks team.

Dean has always possessed an unwavering belief in his ability to accomplish anything he sets his mind to. He will share his transition to a new career in the business world. You will discover the two invaluable qualities he has carried from his sports career to his ventures in business and life. Dean reflects on his ability to detach from the past and move forward without dwelling on it, and offers advice for anyone going through a period of reinvention. He also stresses the importance of challenging himself and avoiding complacency, as well as the presence of mentors throughout his career.

Dean discusses how he navigated through challenges like the COVID -19 pandemic and adapted to changes in the industry. He explains that he is currently analyzing the future of the industry on a daily basis, especially as it relates to changing consumer behavior and the use of technology.

Join Matt and Dean for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurial optimism and the significance of closing a chapter and moving forward.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Dean’s definition of excellence.
• Resilience and perseverance in business.
• Learning how to be a successful entrepreneur.
• The different career options Dean explored.
• How to turn your passion into a business.
• Building a team from the ground up.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Dean Treister LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Sean talks with David Boyd, President of QuesTec Mechanical. David was selected for Como Business Times’ issue 20 Under 40 Class of 2023.

David reflects on his early days and how he got to where he is today. He originally wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become an engineer, but realized that was not his passion. It was only during his studies that his passion for leadership took shape. He will talk about how he was inspired by books that explored his potential and the power to influence others. This discovery caused him to question his choice of major, which led him to switch from engineering to Spanish and finally to business.

David emphasizes the value of College Works and the skills he learned that have had a lasting impact on his career. You will understand why College Works was central to his current company, QuesTec. Additionally. David explains how he got into the construction industry. Although initially unsure and patting himself on the back for being the boss's son, he focused on becoming an outstanding project manager at QuesTec, always striving to do more and make a remarkable impact.

He recalls his first challenging experience on a painting job at College Works. He tells how the direct and transparent approach he took then to find a solution has stayed with him throughout his career and also contributed to QuesTec's success. You will learn what he likes best about his role as president and what is less glamorous but still requires a lot of attention to detail and problem solving.

David offers some advice for young people in their 20s, especially those who are unsure about their career path. These principles will help you build a solid foundation for success and personal growth, regardless of your chosen career path.

Join Sean and David for an insightful conversation on being competitive and being the best, the company president's role, and principles that will help you succeed and grow personally and professionally.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• David’s definition of excellence.
• How his passion for leadership began in college.
• What attracted him to College Works.
• How he got started in project management.
• His day-to-day responsibilities as president of QuesTec Mechanical.
• The two arcs in your career.
• How important it is to have a supportive family.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

David Boyd

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Vash Tomanec, co-founder and mindset coach at Mindtrepreneur, CEO and founder of Ecomtrack and founder of BullAds. Vash is passionate about building meaningful businesses that bring great value to others.

Before attending university in England, Vash grew up in a small town in the Czech Republic, leading a normal life of video games and sports. At 18, he read ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad,’ which inspired him to become an entrepreneur and made him promise to start his own business before he graduated. Vash will talk about the negative effects of social media and what he has discovered about successful entrepreneurs. He will also talk about his experience starting a marketing agency and why he chose e-commerce businesses in the US and Canada. A fun fact: Vash had already made a monthly profit of $10,000 after just three months into his business. You will discover the different factors you should consider when choosing the most viable business option.

Vash will also talk about his second venture, a software company that was born out of the need to solve a problem caused by an iOS update from Apple that made e-commerce marketing difficult. He will talk about his experience transitioning from a marketing company to a software company, where he partnered with the head developer and gave him 1/3 of the company.

Vash started coaching entrepreneurs on mindset after they saw his success and asked him to coach them. This led to the creation of Mindtrepreneur, which now has over 1,000 entrepreneurs in its program. Learn more about Mindtrepreneur and why it became so successful. You will discover principles, tools and techniques that young entrepreneurs can use to master their mindset. Vash sees meditation as an incredible tool that he uses in two ways. Listen to discover these two ways and their benefits.

Join Matt and Vash for an enlightening conversation on being an entrepreneur.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Vash's definition of excellence and mastery.
• The power of work ethics.
• How to get better at video marketing.
• Social media is a useful tool, but it can also be destructive.
• How to choose the right business to start.
• The importance of having a strong why.
• Why he started his second business.
• The importance of visualizing your goal.
• And so much more...

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Mindtrepreneur | Václav Tomanec (@vash_tomanec) Instagram

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Doug Diakite, a real estate investor and managing member at Nationwide Community Revitalization, about providing an affordable path to homeownership.

Doug will talk about his career path, from working in sheet metal contracting to becoming a successful real estate investor. He will also delve into his college life experience at UC Santa Barbara, where he came across College Works during his junior year. Doug admits he felt unprepared and shell-shocked when he started at College Works, but he shares how those experiences prepared him well for future challenges. You'll learn how he struggled to hire reliable and good painters and how he encountered many crew issues. Doug also offers new entrepreneurs advice on interviewing and hiring.

Working in his father's sheet metal company proved beneficial, and you’ll discover the lessons Doug learned. The experience also gave him time to reflect on his next move, which led him to real estate in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis. He initially considered becoming a real estate agent or loan officer but instead took a job with a start-up asset management company. He will discuss the company's rapid expansion as well as his own professional advancement.

The desire to become an entrepreneur was sparked by his work at College Works. After years of learning and earning, Doug teamed up with a partner to start his own business. He walks through his decision to give up a six-figure income and stability for uncertainty. Fortunately, the partnership proved successful after they overcame the initial hurdles. He will talk about the obstacles they faced and the lessons they learned.

Today, rent-to-own agreements might be stigmatized; however, Doug's company offers a different model. He'll go into details about it and share how it allows renters to improve their credit scores and qualify for a better interest rate.

Join Matt and Doug for a fascinating discussion about the power of grit, fulfilling and expanding your potential, and their rent-to-own model.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Doug’s definition of excellence.
• What it takes to become an excellent real estate agent.
• The most challenging thing Doug has ever done.
• How he got into the real estate business.
• How to find the right business partner.
• Some of the biggest and most beneficial sacrifices he made.
• And so much more...

Resources:

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Doug Diakite

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Sean talks with Orlando Ordonez, a project engineer at Sundt Construction.

Orlando grew up in Honduras, where soccer was a big part of his life. His love for soccer opened many doors for him, including scholarships to college. Despite having to work to support his family from the tender age of 12, Orlando persevered and eventually earned a degree in engineering. He shares his experiences immigrating to the U.S. and taking odd jobs, emphasizing the importance of being positive about all opportunities and believing there is always something to gain and learn.

You will learn how he got into the construction industry and discovered his passion for it. He is now a project engineer for a major construction company and recently worked on a billion dollar project. You'll also learn how working in construction as a field engineer is different from what they learned in college, and how secure construction jobs and opportunities are despite the recession.

Orlando, an engineer at heart, tells why he left his position at Amazon as the area manager. He also shares how he returned to the construction company where he started and how he felt like he was back on the edge of excellence. You'll learn more about his successful business back in Honduras, which he has operated for nine years. He shares his experience working multiple jobs while in college, including College Works.

Join Sean and Orlando for a fascinating discussion about the power of resilience and a positive mindset.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Orlando’s definition of excellence.
• Why he approaches all possibilities with optimism.
• How he got started in construction.
• The importance of believing in yourself and working hard.
• Running his business back in Honduras.
• The biggest takeaways from College Works.
• How College Works skills translate to the construction industry..
• And so much more...

Resources:

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Orlando Ordonez LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Athena Merage, Director of Development at Merage Investment Group.

When her family fell apart, Athena had to learn to fend for herself at a young age. While attending school and working nights, she had to find her escapism, and art was her safe place. Also, since her father worked in construction, she spent a lot of time on building sites, which nurtured her creative side. Each of these experiences prepared her for a career in design and development. Athena has worked on $200 million worth of real estate projects.

She'll talk about tapping into nature for work-life balance. You'll learn more about her career path, which took her from receptionist at a civil engineering firm to project manager at Beazer. Her next job was with Royal Investors Group, where she met her colleague who introduced her to CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, in which she specialized.

Learning to live frugally at an early age, she was able to change her lifestyle at the height of the economic crisis in 2008. She'll talk about how the financial crisis affected the real estate market and the crucial lessons she learned that she continues to implement today. You'll learn about her operations as the director of development and what gives her fulfillment in her work.

On a personal note, she talks about her passion for running, parenthood, and why Sacagawea, the interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark's 1804-06 expedition, is an inspiration to her.

Join Matt and Athena for a fascinating discussion about real estate and how to incorporate your passion into work.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Athena’s definition of excellence.
• The importance of having a mentor.
• Why she did not complete her degree.
• The difference between land development and building development.
• How to hone your people skills in the workplace.
• Why she wants to pursue a nutrition degree.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Phong Vo, CEO of Phong Vo Media and host of The Phong Vo Show podcast.

During the episode, Phong reveals how he transitioned from his job to a full-time entrepreneur. You'll learn why you should look for internships. He'll talk about finding his personal tribe through College Works and highlight the benefits that came with that.

After graduating, Phong had to make a difficult decision between a six-figure corporate job and working at a startup accelerator. You'll learn why he chose the startup route and the success he had with it. After being inspired by Edwin Edebiri's story, Phong decided to join the Happy Neighborhood Project. Edwin is the Chief Happiness Officer and a TEDx speaker.

At the time of recording, Phong had been working on Phong Vo Media on the side for a year, but he has not yet decided to focus on it full-time. He talks about Phong Vo Media and his day-to-day business as CEO. You’ll learn more about Phong Vo Media's services. He'll also talk about his next business ventures and how valuable reading The ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ was for him.

Join Matt and Phong for a fascinating conversation about transitioning from a normal life to a life of prosperity and purpose, how to find your tribe, and how to build a business that will last forever.

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in This Show:

• Phong's definition of excellence.
• The Lessons Phong picked up at College Works and the impact it's had on his career.
• The value of hard work and perseverance.
• What exactly is a startup accelerator?
• His vision for Phong Vo Media.
• Three things you need to grow your business fast.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, our guest us Nick Niehaus, co-founder, and head trainer of the Business Video School. Nick is passionate about helping professionals learn how to use video in their businesses.

The show opens with Nick explaining his definition of excellence. He also talks about who he was before he came to College Works and how that experience helped him overcome his social anxiety. College Works was pivotal for Nick because he comes from an engineering background and has always wanted to be an inventor. He'll talk about his decision to become an entrepreneur and change his engineering major.

Soon, Nick quit his job and set out to build his own business. You'll learn more about his first company, Connect Video, and his second, Business Video School, which teaches real estate agents how to leverage video to better communicate and grow their business. Learn more about the services their teams offer online. He'll talk about his business' early success as they mark their third anniversary.

Nick started Business Video School during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He talks about the challenges he encountered and how he remained committed, as well as his ambitions to advance his public speaking career. As he shares his opinions on AI, specifically ChatGPT, he’ll offer advice on achieving excellence. You’ll discover how he runs his business, similar to College Works.

Join us for a fascinating discussion about finding long-term, fruitful partnerships, networking, and building influence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Nick’s definition of excellence.
• Why he prefers being underestimated.
• The value of hands-on experience.
• Nick’s entrepreneurial journey and his career goals.
• The biggest takeaways from College Works and its impact on his career.
• And so much more...

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Nick Niehaus LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Jason Bay, founder and CEO of Outbound Squad, a sales coach and trainer for B2B reps and sales teams.

Jason had an extremely structured childhood, thanks to his father being a former Marine and his mother, an immigrant from Hong Kong. This contributed to his early success as valedictorian at his high school, as well as his later work with world-class sales teams at companies like Gong, Medallia, Zoom, CBRE, Monday.com, GoGuardian, and many others.

He'll explain why starting his own company was like a form of rebellion against his parents. He'll also discuss his definition of excellence, referencing the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. As a student in college, he went through an identity crisis, but College Works came to the rescue. You'll discover how and why he joined College Works, as well as how he quickly mastered the intricacies of running a painting business. After that, the sales experience became an obsession for him. He'll talk about how he honed his sales skills and progressed in his sales profession.

After working as a corporate marketing director and sales trainer at College Works, Jason decided to start his own painting business. While he shares great advice on starting a successful business, he also delves into the lessons he learned from his initial mistakes. He'll transition into how he started a consulting firm and how it evolved into sales training, first for small businesses and eventually for Fortune 500 companies.

Join Matt and Jason for a fascinating discussion about honing your sales skills, the process of starting a business, taking risks, and being extremely resourceful in your twenties.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Jason's definition of excellence.
• How to put your skills to the test early in your career.
• Strategies for finding a new job right away.
• The most important lessons Jason learned at College Works and how they've impacted his career.
• The importance of choosing the right partner.
• And so much more...

Resources:

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Jason Bay LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Johnny Rhee, founder and chief strategist of Next Door Home Upgrades. Johnny Rhee has over a decade of progressive business experience, including buying a struggling company in his early twenties and growing it into a top-performing business, as well as mentoring numerous executives and entrepreneurs. He believes in aligned values, teamwork and a culture of performance and accountability.

In today's show, Johnny breaks down his definition of excellence, which is largely influenced by his hero John Wooden, who defines success as "peace of mind that can only be achieved through self-satisfaction, knowing that you have striven to achieve the best that you're capable of."

Growing up in a third-world country and then being given the opportunity to come to UCLA, Johnny developed an attitude of gratitude. He talks about how this was a cornerstone of his success. You'll learn more about his career at College Works, from District Manager of the Year to EVP, the systems he created during his time there, and the key lessons he learned. Johnny also talks about his journey to entrepreneurship. This includes working at College Works on a part-time basis and working as a consultant before turning to his solar business full-time.

Access to clean water has always been a matter close to Johnny's heart. You'll learn about his project in Colombia installing solar desalination systems in remote areas. He'll discuss how micromanaging his time has helped him succeed in college and how he's able to live a life of excellence.

On a more personal level, he'll talk about his hobbies, healthy lifestyle, spirituality and faith.

Join Matt and Johnny for a fascinating discussion on maximizing your potential to make a positive difference, the concept of quitting quietly, time management and leaving a legacy.

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Johnny’s definition of excellence.
• The price of failure vs. the price of success.
• How College Works impacted his career and life.
• The importance of being a great employee.
• Why you need to treat your school work like a 9–5 job
• The importance of having a tribe.
• And so much more...

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Johnny Rhee

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Shawn Baldwin, President of Baldwin & Sons, who has an extensive background in residential real estate development and has held various positions of increasing responsibility with the Baldwin Companies. He is a graduate of the College of Southern California. Baldwin & Sons has been in business since 1956. Shawn will talk about his definition of excellence and the importance of leaving a legacy for future generations. He will also talk about how to become a real estate investor, land and real estate development, and the many roles in real estate. You will learn how to excel as an entry-level real estate developer. You will understand the difference between vertical and horizontal land development.

He has a land development business, a real estate development business, a construction company, an investment company, and a property management company; he will talk about how he ran all these companies, including his path to becoming president. He will talk about his seven-month trip abroad to find himself and the transformation that experience brought. You will understand how Shawn's father laid the foundation for them to be excellent. You will discover what Shawn considers one of the most momentous decisions he has made in his life.

Join Matt and Shawn for a fascinating conversation about real estate, the legacy of a generation, and mentors.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Shawn's definition of excellence.
• The importance of impacting future generations of family and friends
• Everything that makes up the life of a real estate investor
• About Baldwin & Sons and his goals and ambitions for his business
• Why his beginnings as an assistant superintendent were a great learning experience for him
• His unique perspective on house flipping
• And so much more...

Resources:

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Meet The Team | Baldwin & Sons (baldwinsons.com)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Lulu Lantzy, Chief Activation Officer at Auraria Higher Education Center and board member of the Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado Board of Directors. Lulu, named one of the 40 Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Business by the Women's Chamber, has dedicated her career to mentoring and supporting students.

Immigrating to America at the age of nine sparked her interest in entrepreneurship. She will talk about how she turned her feelings of jealousy and bitterness when she had to work in high school into motivation. You'll learn about her college experience, why it sucked to have so much free time for the first time, and how working multiple jobs improved her academic performance.

After working as executive vice president at College Works for several years, Lulu joined Emily Griffith Technical College as director of innovation and partnerships. She will talk about her true calling, what led her to Emily Griffith, and rural college recruitment versus high-ranking colleges. You will learn the difference between her current position and her previous position at Emily Griffith, as well as the impact she hopes to make at Auraria. You will also learn about the skills she learned at College Works that are essential in succeeding in corporate America. She will give young people one piece of advice that can completely change their lives.

On a more personal level, she will talk about her solo travels as they share their fascinating experience of traveling to Saudi Arabia together.

Join Matt and Lulu for a fascinating conversation about using past jealousy to drive achievement, being more productive and letting go of jealousy, and transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Lulu's definition of excellence
• How to turn jealousy into motivation
• The importance of trying a variety of activities during high school and college
• Lulu's biggest take away from College Works
• What aspects of being an EVP Lulu has enjoyed the most
• How to get a good internship
• The importance of giving back to the community.
• And so much more...

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Lulu Lantzy

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Greg Genske, CEO of VaynerBaseball. Greg oversees all of VaynerSports' baseball player representation activities. Before his current role, he was Executive Director and President of Baseball at The Legacy Agency. Since 2015, Greg Genske has also served as a law professor at the University of California-Berkeley, his alma mater, lecturing on sports law, representation of professional athletes and negotiations. In 2009, Genske was named to Sports Business Daily's prestigious "40 Under 40" list.

Baseball was Greg's life growing up, but his ambitions to become a professional athlete didn't materialize. Luckily, he had a backup plan—going to law school. He'll talk about how important it's for aspiring professional athletes to have a backup plan. You'll learn why he was so determined to succeed as a lawyer.

Before entering the sports industry, he began his legal career at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office and then worked as a litigator at leading national law firms. He'll talk about his experiences as a trial lawyer, including representing Steinberg, the real-life inspiration for the 1996 Oscar-winning film Jerry Maguire. He'll also talk about his journey to becoming a sports agent and how he took over the entire agency.

You'll learn about leveraged buyouts, how to run a business without giving away equity, and why he wanted to keep control of the company. Greg will disclose if taking his agency public was a good decision. After a bitter ending with the previous agency, Greg started his own agency from scratch. He talks about how he later teamed up with Gary Vaynerchuk to create VaynerBaseball and what the focus of this new agency is. You'll learn why he encourages people to become lawyers if they want to become agents. On a more personal level, he'll talk about parenthood, his passion for surfing and his morning affirmations.

Join Matt and Greg for a fascinating conversation about how to become an agent, his unique ability, and why passion is the key to success.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Greg's definition of excellence.
• What inspired Greg to become a trial lawyer.
• How to develop the ability to make and keep relationships.
• The importance of always being prepared for the next opportunity.
• Why Greg is so passionate about training amateur athletes.
• How to balance work and personal life.
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Spencer Pepe, co-CEO at College Works Painting. Spencer graduated with a business degree from the University of California.

With more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship, Spencer talks about his career path, specifically his college experience and why he focused more on friendships and networking. His father's bankruptcy was a defining moment in his life. You'll learn how he refocused his life and how College Works proved to be a great opportunity for him. He'll discuss going out of business and the valuable lessons he learned. After being in the mortgage banking business for 10 years, Spencer has developed a special interest in marketing. He'll explain to you why he chose this niche and why it's the most important role as he talks about his marketing-driven model. You'll also understand why every entrepreneur needs to be an intrapreneur. As you probably know, it's important to live within your means. Spencer will share why he advises entrepreneurs not to take on debt. Listen as he recommends financial literacy books that address these topics.

Matt and Spencer will talk about their 30-year partnership that began with College Works and the various businesses they have started since. Join Matt and Spencer for an exciting conversation about leveraging the lessons and struggles of his past, the evolution of his entrepreneurship, and the power of marketing.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Spencer's definition of excellence.
• Leveraging pain and grief to get ahead in life.
• Why you should avoid personal debt in your life.
• How and why they relaunched College Works and the role of each partner.
• The importance of having a marketing-driven model for your business.
• Learning and growing as an entrepreneur.
• And so much more...

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Rich Dad Poor Dad

Spencer Pepe

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Gabe Cooley, President of Rayco Exteriors. Gabe has established multi-million dollar construction companies over the past 14 years and will continue to do so in the future. He is dedicated to changing the way consumers view the service industry by providing exceptional customer service, quality products and ingenuity.

Gabe will kick off with his high school experience, including why switching schools was a defining moment for him. He will also talk about his experience at College Works, including breaking the record, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the lessons he learned that impacted his life and business. At College Works, he was able to build long-term friendships and will share how some evolved into a business partnership. You'll learn how he operates as an entrepreneur on a day-to-day basis and how that differs from when he started. He will talk about Rayco's founding, expansion, company culture and restructuring of the company into sole ownership.

Gabe will also reveal what aspects of being CEO he enjoys the most. Hint: part of it is taking luxury vacations with his team. You'll learn about the challenges he's overcome in his company. On a more personal level, Gabe will talk about his love for fishing.

Join Matt and Gabe for a fascinating conversation about the path of positivity, productivity and perseverance.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Gabe's definition of excellence
• How to find the right kind of friends
• The "no politics" policy Gabe adopted in his business
• The story of Rayco's founding and its motto
• The power of resilience
• And so much more...

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Gabe Cooley

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks to Leah Engstrom, Senior District Manager at College Works Painting, where she has managed hundreds of thousands in revenue. Leah is an undergraduate business student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

She will talk about her previous jobs before joining College Works, including all the valuable lessons she learned while working at Old Navy. Along the way, she figured out she was not cut out for working behind a desk and will share how she came to that realization. She will explain why she switched her biology major and how College Works helped her find her place in the business world. You will discover how her father influenced her to pursue her passion and find her path. What do you do when your business income is hit? Find inspiration from her story on her booking rate dropping and how she dealt with it to continue to inspire her interns. Leah will also give tips on how to uncover your passion and turn it into a career. You'll learn about some of the most significant sacrifices Leah has made in her life.

Join Matt and Leah for a fascinating conversation about finding your path, the power of perseverance and how and why you should strive for excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Leah's definition of excellence
• The biggest takeaways from her part-time jobs
• Why perseverance is so important
• How she improved her sales skills and became one of the best interns at College Works
• How important it is to trust your intuition
• And so much more...

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LinkedIn Leah-Engstrom

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Joe John Duran, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, Head of Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management, and best-selling author. From CNBC to CNN, Joe regularly provides financial commentary at TV. He has been profiled in numerous publications, including the New York Times and SmartMoney. Joe is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds MBA degrees from Columbia University and UC Berkeley.

He will share his great American story which did not begin in America, including the hardships of growing up in Zimbabwe, having to work at age 11, and how those experiences prepared him to build successful businesses. He will offer advice to those who have had experiences similar to his, such as extreme poverty and abusive parents, on how to succeed. He will recommend Stutz, the Netflix documentary by Jonah Hill, and talk about the three inescapable aspects of life: pain, uncertainty and hard work.

He will talk about how he felt lost after selling his first business, how he dealt with it, and why he started his second company. You will learn why you need to know your purpose in life. He recommends several books on self-awareness and wellness, as well as the mindset required for success. You will learn why and how to be specific and intentional about your goals. He talks about how to make conscious choices, develop positive habits, and take radical responsibility. You will learn about the two non-negotiable standards in his family. He will explain why he sold his first business to GE even though there was a higher offer.

Join Matt and Joe for a fascinating conversation about living with integrity, how life does not happen to you, it happens for you, and the power of positive thinking.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Joe's definition of excellence
• How a victim mindset is detrimental to your growth
• How important it is to learn to control your reactions
• The three inescapable components of life
• Improving and changing your life is a series of small, incremental improvements
• How important it is to give more than you get
• What leadership means to him
• The importance of having non-negotiable standards in your family.
• And so much more...

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Awareness: DeMello, Anthony

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Andrew Reid, Global Head of Partnership Products at Vonage. Andrew is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from UC Santa Barbara. Andrew has spent more than 20 years in the tech industry working for several startups, including Google, AOL, Symantec, and AVG Technologies.

He will talk about who he was before joining College Works, as well as his experiences there and the lifelong relationships he built. He will explain why and how he transitioned from commercial real estate to dot-com startups. You'll learn about the history of the dot-com crash. He will talk about his work at Google as its 350th employee, the skills he needed to succeed at the foundation of Google, and the various companies he worked for after that, including AOL, Symantec, and AVG Technologies.

You will learn what it takes to become a global head of partner products. He will discuss Google's interviewing and hiring techniques. He will explain why he left Google for AOL and why AOL is considered the worst acquisition ever. You will learn more about his work at AVG Technologies, which at the time was the largest consumer security product outside of China. He will talk about his annual ski trip and why it is so therapeutic. He will give advice to people who want to get into the technology industry. You will learn how to use a venture capitalist as a proxy to find the right company for you. He will reveal what he believes are some of the most impactful decisions he's made in his life.

Join Matt and Andrew for a fascinating conversation about how to navigate the tech world.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Andrew's definition of excellence
• The importance of having a holistic view of excellence
• How Google made money before advertising
• The importance of building your network at a young age
• How to conduct structured interviews to hire the best employee
• How to maintain lifelong friendships
• Indicators to determine the best company to join or invest in
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Michael Profant, President and Chief Executive Officer at Empire Works. Mike graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and quickly set out to start a business without any funding. Today, he oversees the development and operation of one of the largest architectural coatings and building restoration companies in the western United States.

He will talk about his journey as CEO of a $100 million company. He will share who he was before he came to College Works and what interested him in starting a College Works division in Washington. You'll learn why he turned down a job offer as an assistant project manager for a major construction company. He will explain the steps to starting a business. You will learn why he started another business. He will talk about his business partnership and how it has led to exponential growth of the company.

You will learn how they prepared for the recession. You will learn how the CEO differs from small to large companies and why and how he implements a calculated relinquishment of control in his capacity as CEO. You will learn if he is surprised by his success. He will tell you about his experience at a car show where he viewed the new $600,000 Maserati C120.

Join Matt and Michael for a fascinating conversation about the keys to success, the skills it takes to be an entrepreneurial CEO, and the role of the CEO.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Mike's definition of excellence
• Mike's key takeaways from College Works and the impact it has had on his career and life
• How to become the CEO of a company.
• How he started a business with no money
• The importance of partnerships in business
• The impact of rising interest rates on the construction industry
• The difference between a startup CEO and an entrepreneurial CEO
• His car collection, including the latest addition, the Jeep Rubicon
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Milton Miyashiro, CFO of National Services Group. Milton Miyashiro is known for operationalizing accounting, finance, regulatory compliance, and is a multi-dimensional financial accountant.

He will talk about his path to excellence and becoming a CFO. You will learn why academic excellence in high school does not always equate to success later in life. He will talk about why he chose to major in accounting at the University of Notre Dame and how it helped him build both his finance profession and his business career. You'll learn how switching from CPA firms to mortgage-backed securities launched his career on Wall Street. You will understand why you need to specialize in the accounting and finance world. You will discover why it is important to have a broader understanding of your area of expertise, including legal and sales aspects.

You'll learn more about the collapse of Bear Stearns and its sale to J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. As head of regulatory compliance at Thomson Reuters Pricing Service, he'll talk about how he came to work at the firm and why it was a valuable learning experience. You'll learn about mortgage-backed securities and the different types of audits. You will learn how he came to his role as global head of Thomson Reuters Pricing Service Operations and why people were backing away from that position. He will also talk about his responsibilities as global head of Rights Management and Master Data. He will reveal the most exciting aspect of his position as CFO.

Join Matt and Milton for a fascinating conversation about compartmentalizing, public accounting and expanding your network.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Milton's definition of excellence
• How important it is to be aware of your abilities in order to excel
• Why Milton branched out into mortgage-backed securities
• The difference between public accounting and corporate accounting
• What caused the Great Recession
• An unqualified audit opinion versus a qualified audit opinion
• On regulatory compliance, pricing services, rights management and master data
• The role of a CFO
• And so much more...

Resources:

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Milton's LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Jason Reid, co-founder of National Services Group, partner at CEO Coaching International, co-founder of College Works Painting and founder of Chooselife.org. Jason has spent most of his adult life building businesses with his partners. Over the past 25 years of experiencing both success and failure, Jason has learned one key lessons: RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING. He will talk about who he was before College Works and how it changed his mindset. He will also share some of his greatest accomplishments at College Works. You'll learn about his transition from running his own business at College Works to becoming one of its leaders and then its owner. He will talk about how the business fell through just days before his wedding and how he and his partner Spencer were able to start their own business and generate millions in revenue in less than a year. You'll discover when and how Matt joined the College Works team, as well as their amazing 30-year partnership and friendship.

You will learn everything that scaling a business involves, including leveraging a core competency and marketing and sales systems. Jason will also talk about what most people are looking for instead of pursuing hard work, mentorship, coaching and learning. You'll learn about his charity, ChooseLife.org, which aims to end End Teen Suicide By 2030. He will explain how he manages to coach the world's best entrepreneurs, CEOs and companies, as well as produce successful films through his production company and still spend time with his family and friends.

Join Matt and Jason as they delve into a fascinating conversation about relationships being the foundation of business and excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Jason’s definition of excellence
• Why Jason places such a high priority on relationships.
• How to start a business before you spend a lot of money on marketing
• Why you need a mentor and a coach
• How Jason manages to work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
• The importance of being passionate about your job or business
• How they saved their businesses during the recession
• What Jason considers to be some of the most significant decisions he's made
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

EmpireWorks | CHOOSELIFE.ORG

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Pete Schnepp, Owner of Envision Painting & Roof Coatings, Partner at Bug Science Pest & Termite and Partner at PRS Properties. Pete has always been on a quest for excellence. Raised by a single mom and growing up poor, greatly motivated him to make a better life for himself.

He will talk about his path to excellence in high school, how his morals were instilled in him growing up, and the influence it still has today. He will also talk about how he wanted to be a professional baseball player and paying for his major in kinesiology himself. You will learn how College Works influenced his life and how he has managed to work during the day between classes and at night. He will talk about why kinesiology was not the right fit for him and how he got into the corporate world of homebuilding. He will share his experience working as a project manager at Toll Brothers during the 2008 recession. He will share his experince of been overworked and underpaid. Despite this, you will understand why he had to put his side business, Envision Painting, on hold while working at Toll Brothers.

He will talk about leaving Toll Brothers and how he made it a win-win situation. You’ll also learn about his three failed businesses and how he got started in real estate. Pete will reveal how he gained all his knowledge of real estate. He will also talk about the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), how he found out about it, and all of the benefits he’s accrued from it. You’ll learn how to choose the right partners.

Join Matt and Pete as they dive into a fascinating conversation about the path and timing of entrepreneurship, time management, and mentorship.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Pete's definition of excellence
• How he juggled two jobs, playing rugby and College Works
• Pete's key learnings from College Works and the impact it has had on his career and life
• How can you find role models if you do not have them right in front of you?
• Why Pete had to pay close attention to his employment agreement with his employer
• The value of purusing wealth for the freedom, not the money
• How important it is to be intentional about your life
• Pete's process of vetting his partnerships
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Hannah Perez, co-founder and CMO of SEEQ. Hannah focuses on marketing, sales, partnerships, and the customer experience. Back in her high school days, Hannah was an extremely athletic student, participating in sports such as soccer, basketball, and golf. You will learn about the skills she acquired along the way and how they continue to impact her life. She will talk about what was her main focus when she went to college. You will discover why she changed her education degree to business. She will also delve into the integrated business experience where students get bank loans, develop and sell real products, and then pay back the loan. She will also talk about the startup she founded, Minnesota Comforts. You'll learn what to look for in an internship to make your mark after college, and why she favors startups for college graduates. She'll explain why she decided to work at Social Butterfly instead of continuing to run her startup.

You'll learn about her experience with the shutdown of the Social Butterfly, the arrangements with the previous owner to acquire it for Awake Social, and how she hired her first employee there. She will talk about partnering up with Ben Zaver to launch SEEQ, a clear, crisp and refreshing take on protein. She'll discuss SEEQ's going viral, including a shout-out from Mark Cuban's son, and their journey to Shark Tank. You'll learn more about her weekly operations based on the EOS model inspired by the best-selling book Traction. She'll reveal SEEQ's revenue goals after hitting $1 million between October and July.

Join Matt and Hannah as they dive into a fascinating conversation about how to start a business, following your intuition, and marketing.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Hannah's definition of excellence and her process for discovering her path.
• All the opportunities and clubs available at college for meeting like-minded people
• How important it is to take care of yourself first.
• How College Works laid the foundation for how she operates as a businesswoman
• The difference between success and failure
• How to become a marketing leader
• The division of roles between Hannah and Ben
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Kyle Lindsey, CEO of Platinum Decking. Kyle was the President of College Works for 11 years and did over $170,000 in sales. Quick fact: Wrestling was his favorite sport in high school. He will talk about how wrestling defined excellence for him and how it has influenced him to this day. He will also explain why finishing second was his worst nightmare. You'll learn about his first job and the most important lessons he learned. He'll talk about the "aha" moment that inspired him to join College Works. He'll also tell you why he left his previous job to join College Works, even though he was offered a significant raise. You'll learn how he built a company that focuses on people, and how he still works with his initial employees. He will talk about how he left College Works and how that experience pushed him out of his comfort zone and paved the way for his success.

He will talk about choosing a business that's not in conflict with the previous one, as well as sharing tasks with his business partner Tom Ackmann. You will learn what the biggest challenge in the construction industry was and how it turned out to be an opportunity for the two of them. You'll learn what he likes and dislikes about twenty-something application forms. He'llsgare his employee story, and why it's essential to make the best of a difficult situation. He will offer advice for twenty-somethings who want to succeed.

Join Matt and Kyle as they dive into a fascinating conversation about what it takes to start a business, the steps to take, stepping outside your comfort zone, and making the right sacrifices.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Kyle's definition of excellence
• Why leaving his former job was the hardest but best decision of his life
• What he took away most from College Works and the impact it had
• How important it is to have a good team.
• Why the retail industry is bouncing back to brick-and-mortar retail
• Some of the most impactful sacrifices he made
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Platinum Decking

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Tanner Halling, senior district manager at College Works Painting, prominent communicator, striving leader, and aspiring entrepreneur. Tanner is a junior at Fort Hays State University who is dedicated and hardworking in search of new opportunities. He’ll talk about growing up in a small town and all his efforts to stand out during high school. He'll also discuss why he felt lost after playing basketball for over 12 years and who he was before joining College Works. You'll learn about his early midlife crisis and how he overcame it. He'll talk about shifting from engineering to entrepreneurship and how College Works inspired him.

You’ll learn about his path to the edge of excellence. This will entail working as a direct, mid-level, and upper-level manager and earning thousands of dollars in sales while still in college. You'll learn how he balances his personal and business lives. He'll explain why he switched to online classes and what he's now doing to differentiate himself. He'll reveal the greatest approach to maintaining a positive mindset and having a productive day. You'll learn about the importance of initially being in tune with yourself so that your other relationships can thrive and the concept of low-hanging fruit. He'll describe how he became in tune with his psyche. You'll learn about Tanner's thoughts on some of his most impactful decisions.

Join Matt and Tanner as they dive into a fascinating conversation about how Tanner is finding his path to excellence, overcoming anxiety, and customizing his life plan.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Tanner’s definition of excellence
• Why an early mid-life crisis is universal.
• What to do if you’re feeling anxious and scared.
• The importance of having like-minded friends
• How he maintains focus on his long-term goals.
• The importance of taking care of yourself.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Jacob Abdulmasih, Senior Internet Consultant at iMatrix. Jacob is an executive with extensive experience in business management, sales, and customer service. He has mentored more than 30 executives on implementing growth and customer success strategies for their own organizations. He will talk about who he was before coming to College Works and why it has been a transformative experience for him. You'll also learn how his upbringing in an immigrant family prepared him for success. You'll talk about how kids today are under pressure to be as successful as their parents. You'll learn how he excelled in high school, such as taking AP courses that allowed him to earn an additional minor in information systems. You'll discover why Matt does not connect with College Works employees.

Jacob will talk about the different experiences he gained when he was a district manager at 18 and a mentor at College Works at 19. You will learn what he struggled with most at College Works and how he applies it to his current job. He'll talk about buying and running his carwash business in college, as well as how he got his job at iMatrix, the leading provider of advanced websites and digital marketing solutions for small to mid-sized health and wellness practices. He shares how he found out he loved sales

Join Matt and Jacob as they dive into a fascinating conversation about the path to a full-time sales job, unique skills, and the job search.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Jacob's definition of excellence.
• How important it is to choose a major that aligns with your mindset
• Key lessons Jacob took away from College Works.
• Why you need to know how to run your own business
• How to become a high earning salesperson
• What Jacob believes to be some of the most important decisions he's made in his life.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Shawn Baldwin, President of Baldwin & Sons, who has an extensive background in residential real estate development and has held various positions of increasing responsibility with the Baldwin Companies. He is a graduate of the College of Southern California. Baldwin & Sons has been in business since 1956. Shawn will talk about his definition of excellence and the importance of leaving a legacy for future generations. He will also talk about how to become a real estate investor, land and real estate development, and the many roles in real estate. You will learn how to excel as an entry-level real estate developer. You will understand the difference between vertical and horizontal land development.

He has a land development business, a real estate development business, a construction company, an investment company, and a property management company; he will talk about how he ran all these companies, including his path to becoming president. He will talk about his seven-month trip abroad to find himself and the transformation that experience brought. You will understand how Shawn's father laid the foundation for them to be excellent. You will discover what Shawn considers one of the most momentous decisions he has made in his life.

Join Mat and Shawn for a fascinating conversation about real estate, the legacy of a generation, and mentors.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Shawn's definition of excellence.
• The importance of impacting future generations of family and friends
• Everything that makes up the life of a real estate investor
• About Baldwin & Sons and his goals and ambitions for his business
• Why his beginnings as an assistant superintendent were a great learning experience for him
• His unique perspective on house flipping
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Meet The Team | Baldwin & Sons (baldwinsons.com)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Nevena Milosevic, Program Manager at Care Continuity. Nevena started off her career out of college working as a healthcare consultant, focusing particularly on the member service experience and advocating on patients' behalf within the healthcare system. After working in a direct member services role, she wanted to shift gears and move in the direction healthcare was moving, working in the field of healthcare technology while still supporting patients and hospitals. Her current company works to bring technology and people together while supporting overwhelmed hospitals and physicians to keep patient care streamlined and satisfactory.

Nevena will discuss her definition of excellence. You'll understand that once you realize your potential, you can achieve anything that you desire. She will talk about her healthcare consulting profession, including her first job working with Ernst & Young (EY) and Walgreens. You'll discover what it takes to be successful in healthcare consulting regardless of your degree. Most people believe that healthcare is solely clinical; however, in the United States, administration currently accounts for more than 40% of healthcare profit. She will talk about her ambitions to build a career, not a job, and finding her path throughout college. You'll discover where the majority of people gain their career exposure.

She'll also discuss her College Works experience and the opportunities it provided as one of the year's district managers. You'll learn how College Works functions as a friend screening program. She will also highlight several entry-level consulting roles as well as her day-to-day operations in her management capacity. You'll understand why it's better to start working for a large firm after college rather than a start-up. She'll explain why she was drawn to Care Continuity.

Join Matt and Nevena as they dive into a fascinating conversation about realizing your potential, building relationships in your career, and healthcare consulting.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Nevena's definition of excellence.
• The college majors that can lead to a career in health care consulting
• Why has she always been drawn to health and wellness?
• The importance of building relationships in your career
• How she got started in healthcare consulting.
• Nevena's most important takeaways from College Works.
• Nevena's message to herself
• And so much more...

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Sage Knauft, Partner at Walsworth. Sage Knauft practices in a variety of fields, including business litigation, employment law, environmental law, construction law, general liability, product liability, premises liability, and public entity litigation. Sage will discuss his three concepts of professional excellence: Preparation, Effort, and Reliability. If you adhere to these three principles regardless of your profession, your success will be guaranteed, Sage says. He will also talk about what it means to be successful, such as having a good life-work balance and giving back to the community. He will share his path to becoming a lawyer while delving into the various types of law. You will learn about the types of cases he deals with on a daily basis. He will disclose the percentage of the cases that are resolved before they go to trial. He will explain why avoiding litigation is his first conversation with every client. You will discover how long it took him to become a partner. He will explain how he started as a profit-sharing partner before becoming a full-equity partner. You will also learn how to develop a specialty. Sage will also go into his decision to join the Orange County Bar Association's Employment Law Section and his efforts to mentor young attorneys. Join Mat and Sage as they dive into a fascinating conversation about law and the legal profession.  Enjoy!  What You Will Learn In This Show: Sage's definition of excellence. The different paths you can take in a legal career  The importance of communication and sales skills in the legal profession. How you can become a partner in a law firm. How to become aware of your potential strengths. The importance of having a mentor early in your career. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.wfbm.com/meet-our-team/sage-r-knauft/ (Sage R. Knauft | Walsworth - WFBM, LLP): https://www.wfbm.com/meet-our-team/sage-r-knauft/

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Owen Getz, Sales and Location Manager at Illinois Grain and Seed and co-owner of ISO Real Estate. Owen graduated from Purdue College with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology, but soon realized he was not cut out for sitting behind a desk. Instead, he had a genuine passion for helping people face-to-face. Owen will discuss how he discovered his passion for helping farmers.  He will also talk about his work experiences, including CollegeWorks, and how they influenced his career path. You will learn about the 5 F's for a well-balanced life. He will also talk about how he got into real estate. Owen will share what he believes was one of the most impactful decisions he's made in his life. Join Matt and Owen for a fascinating conversation about how to figure out your passion and real estate. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Owen's definition of excellence. Why grain storage is one of the best investments a farmer can make for their business. How the recent recession has affected the real estate market. Owen's biggest takeaway from CollegeWorks and how it influenced his real estate experience. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-the-secret-power-behind-disc-assessments/id1554338077?i=1000511818183 (3: The Secret Power Behind DISC Assessments The Edge Of Excellence Podcast) https://www.igse.ag/ (Illinois Grain and Seed Equipment | IGSE) (igse.ag) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/owengetz (Owen Getz LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Eryk Soltys, a Commercial Credit Analyst at Fifth Third Bank.  Eryk graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor's degree in finance and a minor in accounting. His professional experience in various industries is what drives his passion for building relationships. As he shares his life story, Eryk will discuss how his family dynamics have influenced his values, attitude, and work ethic. He will also talk about his work as a commercial credit analyst and how he helps businesses grow. You will learn how Eryk realized that commercial banking was the right fit for him.  He will differentiate between commercial banking, corporate banking and wealth management. Eryk will reveal what he believes was the most important decision he's made in his life. Join Matt and Eryk for a fascinating conversation about commercial banking, Polish history, and commercial banking versus corporate banking.

Enjoy.

What You Will Learn In This Show: Eryk's definition of excellence. How does DePaul University provide opportunities for students to grow? Eryk's key takeaways from CollegeWorks and how they have impacted his career. What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/eryksoltys (Eryk Soltys LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Katie Kenny, a real estate broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and a former district manager for College Works Painting. Katie is a University of Illinois graduate with a degree in advertising. She has a passion for working with others and helping people solve problems. Katie will talk about who she was before she joined College Works and the important lessons she learned there. She will also talk about all the university majors she switched to and why advertising was right fit for her.  You will learn why gratitude and being present are essential for excellence. Katie will discuss why she became interested in residential real estate brokerage. Katie will reveal her biggest struggle during College Works and how it impacted her life.  Join Matt and Katie as they dive into a fascinating conversation about excellence, figuring out your root desire, and real estate brokerage. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Katie's definition of excellence. The importance of being present in the moment.   Katie's biggest takeaways from College Works and the impact it had on her career. The difference between a real estate broker and a real estate salesperson. Why you should focus on the process and not the outcome. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) Personal Website: https://kkenny.starckre.com/ (https://kkenny.starckre.com) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thekatiekenny/ ( https://www.instagram.com/thekatiekenny/ ) LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-kennyrealestate/ (www.linkedin.com/in/katie-kennyrealestate/ )

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Chip McAslan, founder and CEO of Lavo Solutions and chairperson of Bay Cities Metal Products. He also served as the Director of Strategy at Fluid and Metering Technology (FMT). As he shares his story, Chip will discuss his leadership positions in various companies and how and why he started his own chemical metering company. He will also talk about his work as an auditor at KPMG and why he believes it is the best way to learn about business. You'll learn how Chip received five job offers before taking his first real course in accounting and auditing. He will explain why his old boss at KPMG recruited him for a new job at IDEX.  Chip will reveal what he considers his greatest sacrifice. Matt will share why his company was fined $36,000 by the FAA.  Join us as Matt and Chip have a fascinating conversation about accounting, building sincere relationships, and niche manufacturing.  Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Chip's definition of excellence. About Chip's company, Lavo Solutions, and what it does. How manufacturing provides numerous employment opportunities. The finance and M&A functions of a business. Why Chip believes it's risky to fake it until you make it. And so much more…

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmcaslan (Chip McAslan  LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, our guest host Sean Phelps chats with Tom Ackmann, president of Platinum Decking and an incredible leader who set the record for the largest team ever led by a rookie District Manager at CollegeWorks. Tom wanted to be an engineer, coming from a family of engineers, but he soon realized that was not for him and ventured into business. He now leads a company with eight-figure sales. Tom talks about his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship. You'll learn more about Tom's background, how he found out about CollegeWorks, and why he was so eager to join.  He talks about the key lessons he took away from College Works and the impact it had on his career. You will learn why management is the most difficult skill to master. Tom will reveal the most important lesson he learned in venture capitalism. Join Sean and Tom as they dive into a fascinating conversation about mastering your craft and deliberate practice. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Tom's definition of excellence. Why a career in engineering was not the right fit for Tom. The importance of combining business with engineering. What Tom considers one of the most consequential decisions he's ever made. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Overrated-Separates-World-Class-Performers/dp/1591842948 (Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin) https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-ackmann-bb8587a (Tom Ackmann LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Brett Gaviglio, Director of Engineering at Vertical Systems. Brett Gaviglio has over 20 years of experience in reducing the energy consumption of large buildings through innovative upgrades that are a great way to make buildings efficient. This results in significant positive cash flow for the building owner. Brett will discuss how he discovered his passion for engineering.

He will also discuss the importance of people and sales skills in engineering.

You discover how Brett and his Cal Poly Solar Energy Team, or CaPSET, set a world record in Australia.

Brett then will talk about why he got into the HVAC industry and what his day-to-day work is like.

He will reveal what he considers one of the most impactful decisions he's made in his life.

Join Mat and Brett as they dive into an insightful conversation about excellence, finding your career, and the HVAC industry. 

Enjoy! 

What You Will Learn In This Show: Brett's definition of excellence. Why Brett found CaPSET to be a useful learning experience. Is HVAC the biggest consumer of energy and water in the market? The importance of sales skills for engineers.  And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.vertisys.net/ (Vertical Systems) (vertisys.net)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, our guest host Sean Phelps, executive vice president at College Works Painting, talks with Tyler Morelan, president and owner of Midwest Flooring Company. Tyler originally wanted to be a professional athlete, but an unexpected incident changed his focus and ultimately led to a successful career in business. Tyler will talk about how overcoming physical challenges prepared him for the mental challenges of business. He will also talk about his work experience since the age of 12, as well as his past interests before he decided to start a business. You will learn how CollegeWorks has influenced his success as an entrepreneur. Tyler will also talk about the key ingredients for success and excellence in entrepreneurship. Join us as Sean and Tyler dive into a fascinating conversation about achieving excellence.  Enjoy. What You Will Learn In This Show: Tyler's definition of excellence. Key lessons Tyler took away from College Works. Why Tyler got into the flooring industry.  The key ingredients for success and excellence in entrepreneurship. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://midwestflooringcompany.com/ (Midwest Flooring Company) (midwestflooringcompany.com) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-morelan-09b08810a (Tyler Morelan LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Natalia Ohanesian, founder of Bipty.  Natalia attended a very competitive high school that prepared her to better deal with pressure and lay the foundation for her success.

As she shares her story, Natalia will talk about what drove her to her calling, entrepreneurship.

She will also talk about how to find your inner voice and  your path. 

You will learn how Matt and Natalia met. 

Natalia will also talk about the concept of her company, Bipty, as well as her day-to-day operations as a business owner.

Join Matt and Natalia as they dive into a fascinating conversation on how to be your authentic self, follow your calling, and grow from your discomfort. 

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Natalia's definition of excellence. The incredible podcast that inspired Natalia to start her own business. Natalia's biggest takeaway from her three internships and their impact on her career. About Natalia's company, Bipty, and what it does.  And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://mastersofscale.com/ (Masters of Scale, a podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman) https://bipty.io/ (Bipty) (bipty.io) | https://www.instagram.com/bipty.fashionrental/ (Bipty Instagram )(@bipty.fashionrental)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Isaiah Henry, CEO of Seabreeze Management. Isaiah took an unconventional path and did not attend college, but his passion for helping others laid the foundation for his success. As he shares his success journey, Isaiah will talk about how he found his path without college.  He will also explain what property management is and what careers fit into this industry. You will learn how Isaiah went from employee to owner of Seabreeze Management. Isaiah will offer advice to a 20-something who may be going through an identity crisis and experiencing depression. Join Matt and Isaiah for a fascinating conversation about property management and authentic relationships. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Isaiah's definition of excellence. What Seabreeze Management Company does.  How Isaiah got into property management.  The importance of building authentic connections.  And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiahhenry (Isaiah Henry LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Codi Martin, a Certified Field Inspector at Foundation Recovery Systems. Codi joined CollegeWorks as a freshman and worked his way up to Vice President. In doing so, he laid the foundation for his success and is now in a position to help customers protect their most valuable investment - their home.

As he shares his story, Codi will talk about his experiences growing up in the small town of Fredonia, who he was before coming to CollegeWorks, and the important lessons he learned.

He'll also talk about his work as a Certified Field Inspector.

You'll learn about Codi's biggest struggle during CollegeWorks and how he dealt with it. Codi will share how his CollegeWorks internship colleagues turned out to be much more than he expected. Join Matt and Codi for an exciting conversation about leadership with EQ, fatherhood and friendships.  Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Codi's definition of excellence. Codi's most important lessons from CollegeWorks and how they've impacted his career. The importance of investing time in your friends.  And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/codi-martin-337b37117 (Codi Martin LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Ryan Atkinson, Digital Marketing Specialist at Lumeon and host of The Business Cloud Podcast. Ryan's high school experience as a captain on the football and basketball teams provided him with fundamental leadership skills that have been essential to his entrepreneurial journey. In his story, Ryan will talk about how his first job in management changed his outlook on life and what book helped him make that transformation. He'll also talk about the inspiration for his podcast and the incredible opportunities it's created for him.  You'll learn more about Ryan's day-to-day work at Lumeon. Ryan will reveal details about his forthcoming podcast episode. Join Matt and Ryan for a fascinating conversation about the marketing industry and personal branding.  Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Ryan's definition of excellence. The prerequisites for a career in marketing. The importance of personal branding and some strategies to market yourself. About Ryan's work helping high school students build businesses.  And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits (Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear) https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537 (Steve Jobs Hardcover - Isaacson, Walter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-atkinson17 (Ryan Atkinson  LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Filip Matic, founder of Matic Custom Creations and 634 PROPERTIES INC.  Filip dropped out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to focus on his businesses, which are very successful today. As he shares his story, Filip will talk about who he was before he came to CollegeWorks and the important lessons he's learned.

He'll talk about how and why he started his companies.

You'll discover how Filip keeps the companies running while he spends two months on vacation in Serbia.

Filip will reveal one of the most impactful decisions in his life.

Join Matt and Filip for a fascinating conversation about happiness, total transparency with all clients, and time management.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Filip's definition of excellence and how Filip he sets the standard for excellence with all his clients.  Advice on how to start and run a successful business.  What Filip took away from College Works and how it's impacted his career. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.collegeworks.com/ (College Works) The Edge Of Excellence Podcast Episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-time-management-secrets/id1554338077?i=1000512677163 (5: Time Management Secrets ) College Works Painting Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTqLm4H8QU (Time Management)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Ryan Atkinson, host of The Business Cloud Podcast, interviews Matt Stewart. Matt shares how he discovered his deep and profound passion for entrepreneurship. He also talks about how to make your dream a reality and some of the processes he went through. You'll discover the secrets to Matt's success and the advice he gives to 20-something-year-olds. Join Matt and Ryan for a fascinating conversation about goal setting, knowing your values, habits, and long-term planning. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Matt's advice for twenty-somethings. Matt's great business relationships with his partners.  Some of the habits of high achievers that Matt believes everyone should consider. Why Matt made the conscious decision to fire some of his friends. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stewart-5257314 (Matthew Stewart LinkedIn) | https://www.instagram.com/matthewkstewart/ (Matthew Stewart Instagram) (@matthewkstewart)  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-cloud/id1527142626 (The Business Cloud Podcast) https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Secrets-Relationship/dp/0385512058 (Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at ...)

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Why are values important to succeed in business and in life? Today's guest shows us what really happens behind the scenes of a successful company and how values factor into the equation. In today's episode, Darius is joined by Matthew Stewart, co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, Home Genius Exteriors, and SMJJ Investments. From a small Southern California company, NSG has grown into an international company with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Matthew currently serves on the boards of several organizations in addition to his role at NSG. In his past role, he was chairman of the global board of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), a worldwide business network representing more than 142 chapters across 46 countries. In this episode you'll discover:

• The entrepreneurial advice Matthew would give to his younger self.

• How values help his company succeed.

• The secrets to running a successful business.

Join Darius and Matthew for this fascinating discussion as they explore how our values and even our mistakes provide lessons that we can use to create success. They also discuss the reasons why being patient and having a strategy are vital to achieving greatness.

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in this Show: The advice Matthew would offer to his younger self as an entrepreneur. How values have become vital to making his company a success. The inside scoop on running a successful business. And so much more...

Resources: https://nationalservicesgroup.com (National Services Group website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stewart-5257314/ (Matt's LinkedIn) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (Edge of Excellence podcast) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Serge Sachdeva, Executive at Arch Telecom. Serge has always aspired to be an entrepreneur. He did not finish college but instead decided to start his own business, which now has over 200 stores. As he shares his story, Serge will talk about how he discovered his passion for business and how he opened his first store in Manhattan. He will also share an interesting story about how his father taught him the value of money.

You will learn why Serge was confident enough to do a business merger on a paper napkin deal.

Serge will also reveal the fantastic project he's kicking off soon in Palm Springs. Join Matt and Serge on a fascinating conversation about excellence, honest work and having fun. 

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Serge's definition of excellence.  The power of fun and how to find it. The importance of having a good support structure. Serge's greatest accomplishment.  And so much more...

Resources: http://archtelecom.net (Arch Telecom)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Conrad Kaminsky, one of the "District Managers of the Year" at College Works Painting. Despite his immense success at College Works, Conrad decided to take an unconventional career path.  He started as a framer and now, at 23, is general manager of Saalfeld Construction Roofing.

As he shares his story, Conrad will talk about his incredible achievement at College Works as the department's record holder and the important lessons he learned. 

He will also talk about his journey as CEO and how the skills he gained at College Works have benefited his career. 

You'll learn why Conrad gave up soccer and switched colleges. 

Conrad will talk about his day-to-day work as CEO and new projects for Saalfeld.  Join Matt and Conrad as they dive into a fascinating conversation about continuous improvement, self-appreciation, and value creation. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Conrad's definition of excellence. What Conrad took away from College Works and the impact it had on his career and life. How to be proactive instead of reactive.  And so much more...

esources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.collegeworks.com/ (College Works)

The Edge Of Excellence Podcast Episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-time-management-secrets/id1554338077?i=1000512677163 (5: Time Management Secrets ) College Works Painting Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTqLm4H8QU (Time Management) http://collegeworks.com/podcast (collegeworks.com/podcast) https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradkaminsky (Conrad Kaminsky LinkedIn)

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Nic Bair, Director of the Wiltz Group. Nic always wanted to run his own business. He even changed his major every semester to study the different elements of business management. As he shares his story, Nic will talk about his experience at College Works as a freshman and the important lessons he learned. 

He will also talk about all of his business ventures in his youth and how they sparked his enthusiasm to start his own business.

You'll learn how Nic got into the dog hospitality industry and his day-to-day operations as a director. 

You'll learn how Nic managed his time well during college-balancing between classes and College Works. 

Join Matt and Nic as they dive into a fascinating conversation about mentorship, recognizing what you want, and time management.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Nic's definition of excellence. Nic's biggest takeaways from College Works and the impact it had on his career. How important it is to work a few years before pursuing an MBA. And so much more...

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bair-83046a106 (Nicholas Bair LinkedIn)

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Isaac Montano, a financial advisor at Renaissance Financial. Isaac's decision to join CollegeWorks was a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for his future success. His passion is helping people achieve their financial goals, which is why he has lifelong ambitions at Renaissance Financial.

As he shares his story, Isaac will talk about who he was before coming to CollegeWorks and the important lessons he learned during his internship.

He'll also talk about his first sales job in high school and the most valuable gift he acquired.

You will learn Isaac's recipe for success as he shares details from his day-to-day job as a financial advisor.

Isaac will finally reveal his #1 book for motivation and discipline. 

Join Matt and Isaac in an insightful conversation about how to figure out what you excel at in mentorship and how to focus on the positives. 

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Isaac's definition of excellence The importance of striking a good balance in your life, both professionally and personally.  Why connecting with people who are more successful than you is essential for success.  And so much more...

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In today's episode of https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence), Matt chats with Ashton Avery, Senior District Manager at College Works Painting. As far back as his high school days, Ashton has enjoyed activities that offered him fulfillment. Today, he defines excellence as surpassing what he considers ordinary standards, where outstanding is the new normal. It's something you are rather than something you achieve.

You'll learn how to deal with adversity in your personal or professional life.

You'll discover Ashton's biggest struggle during college and how he dealt with it.

You'll discover Ashton's process of controlling your mindset.

Join Matt and Ashton for this value-packed inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show: Does celebrating one's own excellence create complacency? How to find a sense of fulfillment in your work. The importance of surrounding yourself with the best people. And so much more…

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) Ashton Avery https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashton-avery-8974341ba/ (LinkedIn)

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In today's episode of https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence), Matt chats with Sharran Srivatsaa, CEO at Srilo Ventures, Host of Business School Podcast, and Creator of 5 am Club for Entrepreneurs. Sharran completed his master's at Vanderbilt University. Despite coming to America from India with only one year of education funded, he was incredibly innovative in college. This laid the foundation for him to become a successful serial entrepreneur. As he shares his story, Sharran will discuss his dyslexia, tone-deafness, and ADHD in high school and how he avoided being institutionalized by the educational system.

He will also talk about a traumatic experience that he kept secret from his parents and how therapy helped him open up.

You will discover what Sharran believes everyone should strive for and his three most important learnings. 

Sharran will reveal one of the most impactful sacrifices he's made in his life.

Join Mat and Sharran as they dive into an inspiring conversation about success, retirement, and figuring out what you're excellent at.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show: Sharran's definition of excellence.  The importance of a good support system.  How Sharran and his business partner met. Sharran's advice on how to make people invest more in you. The email-sprinkler system that will accelerate your success.  And so much more…

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) Sharran Srivatsaa https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran ( LinkedIn) | Podcast https://sharran.com/podcast/ (Business School Podcast with Sharran Srivatsaa)

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In today's episode of https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence), Matt chats with Lucas Tanner, a sales specialist at Utility Trailer Sales Company of Arizona.  Lucas has always enjoyed being around happy and motivated people. This became the foundation of his definition of excellence: being happy and loving what you do every day while still making an impact.

You'll learn about Lucas' biggest challenge and most difficult moment during his internship at CollegeWorks.

You'll discover Lucas's preferred approach for dealing with an issue to ensure a better result.

You'll learn how Lucas takes a ‘100% relationship-based’ approach to business and sales. 

Join Matt and Lucas for this illuminating discussion.

You don't want to miss this! 

What You'll Learn in this Show: Is happiness essential for achieving real success? The importance of a long-term mindset in business. The most important skill for success.   And so much more…

Resources: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence) https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-tanner-67418317a ( Lucas Tanner LinkedIn)

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In today's episode of https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (The Edge of Excellence), Matt chats with Charlie Fletcher, Executive Vice President at Mesa Energy Systems. You'll discover how yoga and meditation helped Charlie get back into working hard mode. 

You'll learn how Charlie started his innovative, $300-million company, Mesa.

You'll discover what Charlie considers his most important lesson from the HVAC industry.

You'll discover why Charlie resigned as CEO of Mesa and what compelled him to return.

Join Matt and Charlie for this inspiring and thought-provoking discussion.   You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show: Why Charlie loves partnerships.  The importance of finding passion in every aspect of life and having a great heart. Why you have to ensure your business stands out.  Charlie's top five values for success in life and business.  And so much more…

Resources: The Edge of Excellence https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (Podcast) Charlie Fletcher https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-fletcher-447200195/ (LinkedIn) (linkedin.com/in/charlie-fletcher-447200195/) Mesa https://www.mesaenergy.com/ (Website) (mesaenergy.com)

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Joe Norwell, Vice President of CollegeWorks.

Joe's commitment to debate and being an Eagle Scout in high school, as well as his internship at College Works, paved the foundation for him to achieve incredible success at the age of 24.

You'll discover how important it is to find the balance between quality and quantity.

You'll discover Joe's main drive for success.

You'll learn why you need to develop the skill of seeking the positive even in the worst of situations.

You'll discover Joe's most important takeaway from his internship at CollegeWorks.

Join Matt and Joe in this inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• What makes a résumé stand out in and out of college?
• How your previous experience will prepare you to deal with your next situation.
• Joe's best piece of advice for achieving success.
• The importance of swallowing your pride and learning from your failures.
• How early self-investment contributes to success.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Joe Norwell LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with John Moran, Founder and CEO of Epic Freight Solutions.

John was dreadful when he initially started playing volleyball. However, after working exceptionally hard every day to improve, he was able to play AVP Beach Volleyball. This led to his concept of excellence as a mindset for everyday routines, maintaining focus in the right place, and continuously improving.

You'll learn about the five-by-five rule and how it can help you focus on internal influence.

You'll discover why John got into logistics and what Epic Freight Solutions offers its clients.

You'll discover why John's five-by-five model keeps him grounded and patient.

You'll learn about John's huge sacrifice and the lessons he gained as a result.

Join Matt and John for this value-packed and awe-inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• How comparing yourself to others is detrimental.
• Why most state athletes don't plan forward for their next career.
• The most complex challenges John has faced and how he overcame them.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

John Moran LinkedIn

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Jack Schwabeland, Program Manager for Sales Enablement at Flyhomes.

Jack believes excellence necessitates having a strong moral character as well as superior skills.

You'll discover how Jack made money from video games in high school.

You'll discover why Jack's decision to join CollegeWorks saved his career and the most impactful takeaways from the internship.

You'll learn how to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone.

You'll learn about the vertically integrated real estate business Jack works for.

Join Matt and Jack for this inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The significance of confidence in achieving excellence.
• Jack's five-step process for getting back on track when you're on the wrong path.
• A look into Jack's sales enablement position.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Jack Schwabeland LinkedIn

Flyhomes Website

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Cody Voelker, a real estate entrepreneur.

Cody's long-term mindset has allowed him to make worthwhile sacrifices in his real estate career. His definition of excellence is striving to be the best person you can be in all aspects of your life on a daily basis.

You'll learn how Cody went from growing up in a small farm town to receiving a full academic scholarship to study Applied Engineering at Michigan State.

You'll discover why Cody declined a six-figure job offer in tech sales to work as an unpaid intern for a real estate investor.

You'll discover how real estate wholesaling allows you to enter the real estate market even if you don't have a lot of money.

You'll learn why Cody's biggest sacrifice was the one that pushed him to start his own business.

You'll discover which books Cody reads to improve his mental energy, relationships, and business.

Join Matt and Cody for this insightful and inspiring conversation.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The importance of having a mentor in order to succeed in real estate.
• A tactic most good real estate investors employ.
• How the long-term mindset can benefit you in all aspects of your life.
• Entrepreneurial optimism.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Dr. Robert Fisher, author, consultant, and coach for Cal Mock Trial.

Dr. Fisher's family has always been supportive and held him in high regard. This paved the path for his line of work, which focuses on being open and intentional, as well as working extremely hard to solve people's problems, business challenges, and how they talk and think.

You'll discover what enticed Dr. Fisher to apply to law school and what prompted him to change his focus to architecture before moving on to medicine.

You'll learn about Dr. Fisher's medical specialty in psychiatry which led him to his current work of many years in Leadership Strategy Execution along with his work in Impactful Speech.

You’ll discover how Dr. Fisher believes certain words can be differentiated to become more impactful.

You'll learn a practice exercise you can do at home to improve your ability to recognize impactful and articulate words.

Join Matt and Dr. Fisher for this illuminating discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Why it's essential to be coached by like-minded individuals who provide genuine guidance.
• How to invent a new career for yourself.
• The indicators you need to go after an opportunity.
• What to do if you fail to reach your goal.
• The importance of impactful language in your career.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Don Seawall, a Senior Recruitment Consultant at Michael Page.

Don got his first job when he was 12 years old. However, he did not see the fruits of his labor because they were going to the business owner. As a result, he became interested in business because he realized that the more you put into it, the more you got out of it.

You'll discover the unique culture at Michael Page.

You'll learn about the five factors that College Works considers when determining what it takes to succeed in college and immediately post-graduation.

You'll discover which attributes were highly essential to Don's success.

You'll learn about the various jobs Don had and the various goals he set for each of them.

Join Matt and Don for this inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The considerable efforts you must make throughout the interview process of a firm or organization: front loading.
• Why learning to work hard and to enjoy work is a skill set.
• What Don's full-time sales recruiter position entails.
• How College Works provides you with a wide range of job skills.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Don Seawall LinkedIn

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Alex Dastmalchi, founder of Vanity Planet and Kove Audio. Alex is also heavily involved in social justice charities.

Alex Dastmalchi has always been a dreamer with the clear vision of having his own business, despite adversity. Excellence for Alex is not thinking outside the box but inventing your own box.

You'll learn how Alex was smuggled out of Iran and worked numerous jobs in Austria to support himself while living with fourteen other people.

You'll learn why it's essential to believe in yourself in order to achieve your goals in life.

You'll discover how Alex transitioned from the service industry to the product business.

You'll learn about Alex's leadership style and how it inspires values in his team.

Join Matt and Alex for this value-packed and awe-inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Why you need a growth mindset rather than a fixed perspective.
• How adversity and struggles make you stronger.
• How to create business opportunities from personal life experiences.
• Importance of quality performance parity at a great value.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

vanityplanet.com

Alex Dastmalchi LinkedIn

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Alex Kmiec, Sr. Operations Engineer of the supply chain at SpaceX.

On the soccer field in high school, Alex realized he had a strong work ethic. He made it a point to be the most hardworking player on the field. This led to his concept of excellence as a mentality: setting high standards for yourself, being grateful, and giving back to the excellent people you meet along the journey to success.

You'll learn how Alex acquired his job at SpaceX.

You'll discover how Alex managed his time well despite his always packed calendar during college—balancing between classes and running his business.

You'll learn how Alex's work mentality and defined values paved the way for multiple opportunities.

You'll discover the fantastic project Alex is currently working on with Starship DISC Vehicle as an internal consultant.

Join Matt and Alex for this value-packed and inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Why learning business enables you to stand out from the rest.
• The importance of never settling.
• Why building and valuing good relationships is essential for success.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Alex Kmiec LinkedIn

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Matthew Maneage, the General Sales Manager at Lake Auto Group. Matthew is probably one of the youngest people in the country to hold a high-level managerial position in a large auto dealership chain.

You’ll learn how Matthew transitioned from working in the construction industry to the automobile dealer industry.

You’ll discover the value of taking a DISC personality test and how determining your personality profile will help you in your career.

You’ll discover the #1 reason why you go to college. Hint: It’s not to figure out what you’re going to do for the rest of your life.

You’ll learn the interpersonal skills and work systems Matthew relies on to thrive as the general manager of a big auto dealership.

Join Matt and Matthew for this inspiring and illuminating discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• The No. 1 lesson Matthew gained from working at College Works and how that set him up for success.
• Matthew’s definition of excellence and why he stays away from settling for ‘good enough’.
• Day in the life of Matthew as the GM of a successful auto group.
• How to determine if your job is not the right fit for you.
• The undeniable power of emotional intelligence (EQ).
• And so much more...

Resources:

Matthew Maneage LinkedIn

DISC Assessments Episode

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Terence Scheckter, a successful entrepreneur, investor, founder and former CEO of TSW Alloy Wheels US.

At 24, Terence was offered the opportunity to help TSW Alloy Wheels (a South African-based public company) expand into the US market. Within a decade, he was able to buy out the TSW US operations and for the next two decades, the company grew year on year. He recently sold TSW and is now running his own real estate investment company, CheckerProp.

You'll learn how Terence was able to build one of the largest aftermarket wheel companies in the US and the lessons he learned along the way.

You'll discover how Terence set himself up for success in industrial real estate investing.

You'll discover why it's essential to get out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks.

Join Matt and Terence for this riveting discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• Terence's definition of excellence and why he ties it to the customer.
• Why it's crucial to identify and pursue your core competencies if you are in business or investing.
• Why it's important to know when to delegate or outsource.
• The value of having an exit plan even if you don't plan to sell your business.
• And so much more…

Resources:

CheckerProp

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Matt Rudig, founder and director of sales and operations at Platinum Decking, a construction firm that builds custom composite decks, pergolas and other outdoor living spaces. Matt is also one of the most successful interns to pass through the College Works Internship program. The best part is he's been able to accomplish all this before he turned 30.

You'll learn how Matt became one of the top district managers in College Works history and why he left the company.

You'll discover what Matt's role as director of sales and operations entails and how to achieve success in a management or leadership position.

You'll learn how Matt has been able to help build Platinum Decking into a thriving business in only a few years.

You'll learn how to leverage your strengths in the most productive way.

Join us for this inspiring and eye-opening discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The skillsets you need to have if you want to become a director of sales, a director of operations or a similar role.
• Matt's unique definition of what it means to be excellent.
• What to focus on when searching for an internship that's the right fit for you.
• How to gain better perspective in your 20s and make bigger strides toward achieving your dreams.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Matt Rudig LinkedIn

Platinum Decking

College Works Internship

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Brian Forbath, an ultra-successful attorney and President of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a law firm based in Newport Beach.

Brian comes from a family of high achievers, so being the last born of seven kids, the pressure to succeed was on from day one. Instead of caving in to the pressure, Brian built a stellar work ethic from high school all through into his adult life.

You'll learn about Brian's life in college, how he made money and afforded to travel to Europe and South America.

You'll learn how Brian landed his first job and was able to quickly find his place at the law firm.

You'll discover why Brian only hires "entrepreneurial lawyers" and why you are first a business person and a lawyer second.

You'll discover the different fantastic projects Brian is currently working on at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Essential skills you need to be a lawyer and Brian's advice for people who want to get into law school.
• The importance of betting on yourself.
• How being observant helped Brian make what he believes to be his best career move ever.
• What municipal law is, the different roles within it and what Brian's day-to-day work entails.
• And so much more…

Resources:

DISC Test Podcast Episode

Brian Forbath LinkedIn

Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Breanna Kaufman, a martial arts expert and professional sales executive bringing in millions in business for her construction company.

Breanna had a strong drive for forging quality relationships and learning martial arts from a young age. Her commitment towards nurturing these two skills has shaped who's she has become as an adult in her twenties and fueled her numerous achievements.

You'll learn about Breanna's journey in martial arts, earning her black belt, running a karate school and competing in mixed martial arts.

You'll discover why a tough upbringing should never be a reason not to work hard and go after your dreams.

You'll learn how Breanna was able to juggle being a full-time college student, martial arts and College Works internship.

You'll learn how Breanna got into a professional sales career in a startup and helped it grow into a very successful construction company.

Join Matt and Breanna for this awe-inspiring and illuminating discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• The different reasons why you have to build quality relationships.
• Why you need to be both "interesting" and "interested."
• What professional sales entails and if you are cut out for a career in sales.
• How to figure out your path and fulfill your potential.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Breanna Kaufman Instagram

Platinum Decking

College Works Internship

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Chris Krause, the founder and CEO of NCSA Athletic Recruiting, which has helped over 100,000 student-athletes receive over $8 billion in scholarships.

You'll learn how Chris maneuvered through the college recruiting process and landed a scholarship to Vanderbilt University.

You'll discover the pivotal moment in Chris' life when he realized he wasn't cut out to be an NFL player even though that was his lifelong dream.

You'll discover how Chris built a 100M+ revenue company and positively impacted countless student-athletes along the way.

Join Matt and Chris for this inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The incredible power of mentorship, especially for young people.
• The importance of being proactive and showing initiative when you have to shift direction in life or your career.
• Why you can't afford to ignore the art of relationship building and the value of strategic recruiting and partnerships.
• What really motivated Chris to start NCSA Athletic Recruiting.
• And so much more…

Resources:

NCSA Athletic Recruiting

Chris Krause LinkedIn

Athletes Wanted Book

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Adam Arnold, Senior Account Executive for enterprise sales at Searchmetrics.

In high school, Arnold was a jack of all trades engaging in multiple sports, acing his schoolwork while working at the same time. He’s carried this mentality of high achievement into his adult life and this has helped him build a fast-rising career in the tech startup world.

You’ll discover how Adam pivoted when he realized he was no longer interested in his initial college major.

You’ll learn how Adam developed his EQ and business skills and how this has had a profound impact on his life and career.

You’ll discover what Adam’s job at Search Metrics entails and the lessons he’s learned working in enterprise sales and management.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Adam’s career path from college to the present day.
• What “enterprise sales” means and what Searchmetrics does.
• Why it’s important to set “high standard goals” and Adam’s advice on how to be a high achiever.
• Why it’s important to have a work-life balance.
• Essential skills you need to achieve success in management positions.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship.

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

Adam Arnold LinkedIn

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On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Ehsan Gharatappeh, CEO of CellPoint Corporation. Ehsan is a highly successful serial entrepreneur, investor and executive leader in the mobile device industry.

After high school, Ehsan didn't join college or get a job. Instead, he spent the next couple of years burning through his college financial aid until a pivotal moment when he realized he was on a straight path to becoming a failure in life. This was his turning point and formed the foundation of how he defines excellence—leaving it all out there every day.

You'll discover the unconventional path Ehsan took to kick off a career in technology without a college degree or any professional skills.

You'll learn how Ehsan navigated his business through a tough time after losing a $400 million contract.

You'll learn how to leverage your passions, personality and God-given talents to move forward in life and business.

You'll discover what Ehsan believes to be some of the most impactful decisions he's made in his life.

Join Matt and Ehsan for this value-packed and awe-inspiring discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• What do you do when you realize you aren't where you want to be in life?
• Why your business and core values need to be aligned.
• Ehsan's number one advice on getting ahead in life and accomplishing your goals faster.
• What aspect of his business Ehsan enjoys the most, and how you can find more joy and fulfillment in your own life.
• Why being smart is only a piece of the puzzle.
• And so much more…

Resources:

The Edge of Excellence

Cell Point Corp

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: College Works

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In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt chats with Max Alesi, owner of Home Genius Exteriors, a thriving roof replacement and home improvement company. Max is also an investor and serial entrepreneur who's started different companies, from house flipping to a freight truck business.

You'll learn how Max's competitiveness in sports plus his parents' encouragement to work harder in school shaped who he is today.

You'll learn how Max discovered his path in life and became an entrepreneur with all sorts of successful business ventures.

You'll discover why having a dream or end in mind is not enough and what it actually takes to make a difference or have an impact in life.

You'll learn why it is so important to have mentors and gain access to quality information early on.YY

Join Matt and Max for this thought-provoking discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The key differences between people who win in life and everyone else.
• Max's advice on how to excel in your lifelong pursuits and find long-term fulfillment regardless of the industry you are in.
• What you need to do and the critical questions you should ask yourself when figuring out the right path for you.
• The immense value of role models and why you have to be intentional about seeking out mentors.
• Why it is vital to take a DISC personality test.
• And so much more…

Resources:

DISC Assessments Podcast Episode

Home Genius Exteriors

Max Alesi LinkedIn

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: College Works

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In today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Michael Yates, Senior Director of Innovations and Agricultural Strategy at Walmart.

At the age of 15, Michael got his first job as a prep cook and went on to work throughout his high school years. He believes this was crucial in developing the strong work ethic he has today.

After high school, he enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he quickly concluded that a career in Journalism wasn’t the path for him. To help figure out what he was passionate about, he started a small business under the College Works program.

This turned out to be the perfect opportunity to build his confidence as well as develop a broad set of business and soft skills.

Over time, he was also promoted to district manager at College Works. Since then, Michael has had an exciting career path in sales and business development, working in different countries. He worked at a chemical company, then moved to a construction company and afterward jumped into the renewable energy industry.

As LED technology started being implemented in indoor cultivation, it was a natural transition into the agriculture technology field, and that’s how he ended up working at Walmart!

Join Matt and Michael in this eye-opening discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Michael’s unique definition of excellence and what his role as a Senior Director at Walmart is all about.
• How Michael’s diverse career path led him to discover his true passion.
• How to carve a path in sales and sales leadership regardless of the field you are in.
• Why being passionate and focusing on the quality of your impact will help you succeed in the long run.
• Why you have to learn all you can about your industry.
• How embracing different opportunities and experiences can help you discover what you are really good at.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: College Works

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On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Marc Bishara, a man who has achieved a dream shared by many: he lives off his investments, spends his time managing nothing but his investments.

Marc's parents were immigrants, and as such they relied heavily on their network when they arrived in this country. They imparted that same sense of community and support onto their son. This has led to his belief in the power of surrounding yourself with the right people to create true excellence.

You'll learn how one shifts from college, to landing a rewarding and lucrative job, and then to managing your personal investments.

You'll discover the importance of seeking balanced growth in all aspects of your life.

You'll learn the path to personal wealth, which includes hard work, reinvesting with balance, learning to love work, and harnessing the power of relationships.

You'll also discover Marc's investment process and strategy and why he believes the right people can make all the difference.

Join Matt and Marc for this inspiring and illuminating discussion.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• How to go from college to a cool job, and then to managing your personal investments.
• The importance of seeking balanced growth in all aspects of your life.
• The path to personal wealth, which includes hard work, reinvesting with balance, learning to love work, and harnessing the power of relationships.
• Marc's investment process and strategy and how the right people make all the difference.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt shares his advice on using all the information at your disposal to help you determine your future career path.

Everyday we're inundated with information. Newspapers, the internet, our friends and families, podcasts like this one - the sheer amount of knowledge we have access to is staggering.

And yet, when many young people sit down to decide what they want to do for their careers, they feel as if they're starting from nothing, when in reality, they're surrounded by valuable tools to help them make the right decision.

You'll learn how podcasts like this one can help you narrow down your career choices, and why your college major does not equal a job.

You'll discover how an hour a day researching on the internet can help you identify things you love to do and things that could turn into career choices.

You'll learn how you can build and use your network to gain first-hand knowledge of various careers.

You'll also discover why the simple acts of reading, watching and listening are vital tools for setting goals and building the career/life you want.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• How to use this podcast as a tool to help you narrow down your career, and why your college major does not equal a job.
• How to use the internet as a research tool for finding things you love to do and things that could turn into career choices.
• How to build and use your network as a tool for getting first-hand knowledge of various career options, and why your network is your net worth.
• Why the simple acts of reading, watching and listening are vital tools for setting goals and building the career/life you want.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Matt Fizell, CFP and owner of Harmony Wealth.

Growing up in a small town of only 2000 people and no stoplights, Matt wanted to escape as soon as possible. Moving to Madison, he found many valuable lessons to be learned there, including what kinds of things would and would not make him happy.

He started out doing Engineering in college but quickly realized that, while he was an analytical person, this wasn't the career path that would make him happy. A challenging situation involving his mother and the purchase/foreclosure on a house led to an epiphany and a switch to a relatively new field - financial planning.

This conversation will inspire you, like Matt, to live your life with no compromises and no regrets

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Matt's specific definition of excellence, and the power of saying no to the wrong things.
• A little of Matt's background, growing up in a small town of 2000 people and no stoplights.
• The importance of experience, and how we often confuse it for another e-word, efficiency.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Harmony Wealth

Matt's Linkedin

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we interview Devin O'Dowd, Director and Equity Partner of Global X, an exchange traded fund firm. He originally studied Environmental Economics and Law in preparation for becoming a lawyer before making the shift to finance.

In his youth, Devin had dreams of being in the NHL and spent much of his time playing hockey and trying to keep his grades up. During college he played hockey, but realized that he wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer.

His time at the University of Illinois was a busy one, as Devin joined a business fraternity and a social fraternity, played hockey and ended up being part of College Works as well. It was during this time that he really began to get to know more about himself, his strengths, and of course the areas he needed to work on.

Eventually, his desire to make an impact led to a shift in thinking, one that led him to the world of ETFs and Global X.

This show will inspire you to follow your passion and use every day as another step toward excellence.

You don't want to miss this!

What You Will Learn in this Show:

• Examples of measurable and repeated ways to succeed every day.
• Devin's path to a finance career as well as an introduction to ETFs.
• Why doing what others won't, allow you to achieve what others can't.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Edge of Excellence is Brought to you by College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

Learn more at College Works

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On today’s show, we interview Steve Brazeel, founder and CEO, Sunterra Produce show who shares with us his distilled wisdom on work ethic, and working smarter, and the foundational elements that contribute to success.

Growing up, Steve spent 18-hour days helping his father on the farm. And so, while his upbringing instilled in him great work ethic, the importance of working smarter eventually dawned upon Steve.

Upon graduating from the University of Arizona, Steve worked with industry giants like Sun World International and the DiMare Co. In this segment of the show, you will learn how Steve took massive pay cuts just because he could learn more and gain more depth.

Eventually, his desire to generate greater and greater value led him to entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2000, SunTerra has grown from a one-person firm to an industry leader catering to giants like Walmart, COSTCO and Trader Joe’s.

This show will surely inspire you to put your best self forward.

Do not miss!

What You Will Learn

• Working smarter, using your brain and not your back
• The biggest (and shockingly simple) contributors to success
• How to generate more and more value as a professional and as an entrepreneur
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview John Hepworth, co-founder, Firstway Fundraising who reveals how he turned his charitable project into a thriving business. He also shares how he found the gumption to start a large business at the age of 25.

John credits his parents for his hardcore work ethic. From a young age, John was keen on earning money and being independent. So, he ended up doing odd jobs to get by.

When John signed up for College Works, admittedly, he thought that it was going to be a piece of cake. But he soon realized that he had a lot to learn.

In this segment of the show, John shares why you need to step out your comfort zone, and learn to work with different people who may not have the same outlook as you.

After College Works, John worked with an insurance company for a bit before starting a fundraising business with his good friend, Jaime. Eventually, he moved to the US to grow and scale his organization.

Topics discussed today include the real definition of excellence, the importance of adaptability, and continuously trying new things.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The meaning of excellence
• The importance of adaptability, and constantly trying new things
• How to work with different people with contrarian outlooks
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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How can you truly achieve financial freedom and accumulate enough capital so that you can live off your investments?

On today’s show, we interview real estate agent and investor, Calvin Cox who shares with us his money philosophy. You will learn how to inculcate financial discipline so that you achieve the ultimate dream – living off your investments.

Growing up, Calvin worked multiple jobs in high school and college which taught him the importance of great work ethic.

However, it was not until he was 27 that Calvin understood the power of compounding. A chance meeting with a financial advisor proved to be a complete eye-opener, and Calvin decided to invest $2,000 every month – a habit that he has stuck to for the past 23 years.

Alongside, Calvin also managed to build a large real estate portfolio and start his mortgage company – which he sold at the age of 39.

Today’s show is all about inculcating discipline and delayed gratification so that you can hit your biggest financial goals.

If you want to live off your investments, and truly enjoy great work life balance, listening to today’s show can help you chart out a roadmap.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How do I decide that real estate investing was right for me?
• Sacrifices that I made in my twenties that I don’t regret making
• How has my vision evolved over the years?
• A roadmap to financial freedom and living off your investments
• And so much more…

l businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Why are most entrepreneurs unable to grow and scale their business? And in the process, unable to realize their fullest potential?

On today’s show, we interview the CEO and founder of Teacher Zone, Chris Bates who shares with us distilled wisdom on goal-setting, tenacity, and building a long-term, sustainable business.

As always, we start this show with Chris sharing his definition of excellence. You will learn that while goal-setting is important, constant never-ending improvement is imperative for those aspiring to be excellent.

Growing up, Chris aspired to be a rockstar. But unlike many of us, he actually packed up his bags and moved to Hollywood to pursue his dreams.

After a while Chris decided to transition to real estate investing after four years, he shares some important lessons that he learned from this stint of his in this segment of the show.

You will learn why you should pick a scalable business model with the potential of generate recurring revenue. And if you have a transactional business that you are struggling to scale, listening to Chris will surely inspire you to level up.

Currently, Chris manages Teacher Zone which is a SAAS-business for teaching organizations.

You will also learn the importance of showing tenacity and following through on your ideas in today’s show.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why you cannot be a successful artist without being a good business person
• The basics of creating a sustainable business with consistent, recurring revenue
• Why did I give up on my dream of being a rockstar?

Resources

Winning

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Can a College Works internship help those pursuing high-profile careers?

On today’s show, we interview the Emergency Department Chair at Amita Health, Dr. Adnan Hussain who shares with his distilled wisdom on excellence, failure, and grit.

Born to Pakistani immigrant parents, Adnan had a normal suburban upbringing. A higher performer in high school, he managed to get a full-tuition scholarship to medical school.

And it was at this juncture that Adnan stumbled onto the College Works opportunity. Cultivating grit was the most important lesson that Adnan learned as a student painter.

He also talks about how his first year as a manager was in stark contrast to his second year as a district manager.

Managing a team of 60 people was a huge challenge for Adnan. This experience built his foundational skill sets that are helping him to date.

As an emergency department chair, Adnan is in charge of operations, recruitment, and finances at his hospital. You will get a peek into his daily workday in this segment of the show.

Other topics discussed on today’s show include how to make yourself more and more valuable, and regaining optimism even in the most trying situations.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Tackling failure, and the importance of grit
• How my DM (District Manager) experience at College Works was significantly different from my managerial experience
• Sacrifices that I had to make in my early years
• How to add more value
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview Sean Nachtigall who shares with us his distilled wisdom on grit, belief, and embracing the unknown.

Growing up, Sean was averse to sales and marketing. He had some preconceived (and utterly false) notions that were shattered once he started working as a College Works painter.

Sean shares his big why for taking up the College Works internship in today’s show. You will learn why embracing discomfort is the only way to grow to the next level.

Admittedly, Sean was absolutely terrified in the initial phase of the internship. But having a chip on his shoulder helped him push through and finish the internship with flying colors.

As a sales engineer for Vertical Systems LLC, Sean helps design, develop and install HVAC systems. You will get a peek into Sean’s role and daily responsibilities in this segment of the show. Specifically, we discuss the importance of developing versatile skill-sets so that you can work with multiple people across a wide range of spectrums and just get the job done.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The real definition of sales and marketing
• Why you need to work on developing versatile skill-sets
• Embracing the unknown, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview founder of Neon Owl, Elaine Huang who shares with us her distilled wisdom on following your passion, thinking outside the box, and working for the greater good.

Neon Owl is a media company and lifestyle brand that connects artists and fans while giving back to charities across the world.

We start this show with Elaine sharing why you need to work with integrity if you hope to tether on the edge of excellence.

Growing up, Elaine grappled with low self confidence and imposter syndrome. She was never interested in studies and just did enough so that she could secure her admission at UC Davis.

It was at this juncture that she enrolled into College Works which gave the chance to be her own boss. And this served as a huge confidence booster for Elaine.

Upon graduation, Elaine worked as the VP of Business Development at Rayco, a company specializing in solar energy. But she was eager to make a larger impact and work for the greater good.

And this served as her big why for Neon Owl.

In the next segment of the show, Elaine gives us a peek into her business as she shares how she is combining dance, music and philanthropy.

Tune in to get inspired!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How to find the courage to follow your passion
• How the College Works stint was a huge confidence booster for me
• Working with integrity and aspiring for excellence
• How to leverage entrepreneurship for the greater good
• And so much more…

Resources

Neon Owl

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we talk with Trevor Tait, Managing Director, Tait and Associates who shares with his distilled wisdom on adding value, failure, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Back in high school, Trevor’s puny 90-pound build did not stop him from playing football with others who were much larger and stronger than him. This is when he first learnt the importance of “stepping out of your comfort zone”.

Trever went on to study civil engineering at Vanderbilt. And upon graduation, he was hired to work at a large engineering firm. But admittedly, this stint of his was a total failure. Rather than adding value, Trevor was just focused on “blending in”.

But this experience made him realize that his sole focus should be helping others.

In the latter half of the show, Trevor shares how he has applied these learnings to his own engineering and real estate development company with much success.

Among other things, Trevor shares his definition of excellence, and the importance of continuous learning and innovation.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How failing at my first job taught me how to add value as a professional
• Getting comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable
• How innovative civil engineering can shape the future
• Helping people and adding value to get to the next level
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Would you find the strength to pivot and change course if your long-cherished dream came down crumbling in an instant?

On today’s show, we talk to the incredible Ally Becker who shares with us her distilled wisdom on keeping your focus, and showing courage in ambiguity.

As always, we start this show with Ally sharing her definition of excellence. You will learn why you cannot hope to find yourself on the edge of excellence without being present and completely focused.

Back in high school, Ally was focused on her studies and her passion – dancing. However, just a month before her dance trials, she injured herself. And her long-cherished dream that finally seemed within her grasp vanished – just like that.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Ally was quick to pivot and change course.

Her YEAA internship had stoked her interest in finance. And Ally has recently finished her Masters in Financial Planning.

Leveraging the YEAA network has enabled Ally to have multiple job offers on hand. And currently, she is figuring out the best way forward.

Tune in and get inspired!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Finding courage in ambiguity
• Sacrifices that I do not regret making
• How the YEAA network can help you in your job search
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview Juliet Monteleone who shares with us her thoughts on exploration, discovering your passion, and finding the courage to follow your dreams.

Back in high school, Juliet was admittedly timid, unambitious, and not sure about where her life was headed. As a result, she dabbled in different fields including art, marketing, and psychology before finally discovering her passion – UX design.

You will get a peek into Juliet’s role as a UX designer at Facebook. And how her job requires her to constantly learn and extensively collaborate.

Juliet also gives us an overview of the UX design process, and how it progresses from research to testing to buildout.

This show will surely inspire you to follow your dreams.

Do not miss!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Understanding UX, the blueprint of software
• Why exploration is a necessary for discovering your passion
• Is UX an extremely collaborative process?
• My design philosophy, and what makes me good at my job
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Can introverts be good leaders, manage large teams, and run successful businesses?

On today’s show, we interview Ann Chenal who shares with us her distilled wisdom on overcoming self-doubt, turning challenges into opportunities, and how to combat the inner introvert.

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Ann was instinctively driven to be good in whatever she did. However, she found herself constantly battling self-doubt.

And it was not before she stepped outside her comfort zone to travel across the US that she realized what she truly loved. And this is when she quit per bio & chemistry major to pursue marketing.

On today’s show, you will learn how running a painting business helped Ann overcome her self-doubt to massively grow her self-confidence.

Among other things you will learn how to change your perspective towards challenges. And why challenges are “launchers” that help you prepare for the next challenge more confidently.

You will also learn why you need to solely focus on what you are doing if you desire to be truly excellent.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why excellence is about ignoring what everyone else is doing and solely focusing on your own work
• How to cultivate good habits
• Why willingness to learn is the first step to overcoming self-doubt
• How to turn challenges into opportunities
• And so much more…

Resources

College Works

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On today’s show, we interview Brent Miller, VP, Home Genius Exteriors who shares with us his thoughts on work ethic, chasing growth, and hiring the right people.

As always, we start this show with Brent sharing his take on excellence. Brent reveals why excellence is a highly individualized concept. And why it can mean totally different things to different people.

Brent then proceeds to share his incredible background story. As a young kid, Brent was always driven, entrepreneurial and looking for ways to make an extra buck.

So, it was hardly surprising that he quickly snapped up the College Works opportunity while studying at Penn State.

This segment of the show is particularly interesting as you will get some great lessons in integrity and work ethic. Learn how Brent managed to run a large painting business without compromising his grades

And how College Works helped Brent pay off his entire student loan within six months of graduation.

Brent started his home improvement company, Home Genius Exteriors in 2020 – the year of the pandemic. And managed to clock revenues of $1.4 million with just one employee.

In 2021, his company had already clocked revenues of $4.5 million just seven months into the financial year.

In this segment of the show, Brent shares how building a dream team is helping him execute his audacious vision.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why excellence is a highly individualized concept
• How familial relationships with your employees can fuel massive growth
• How I managed to get good grades inspite of being a three-sport athlete
• Why good old hard work always pays off in the end
• How I paid off all my student loans within six months of graduating Penn State
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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What happens when two brothers follow very different paths in life - one taking the entrepreneurial route, the other moving along the corporate path?

In today's show, Matt sits down with his younger brother Jerome to answer that very question. Despite their very different career paths, both ended up ringing the bell on the New York Stock exchange and have more unique perspectives on success.

You'll learn about Jerome's time in the Peace Corps and how it helped him discover an entirely new way of living.

You'll discover why he's built a career around adventure, always willing to try new things and commit the time and effort necessary to feel their full benefits.

You'll learn about his "craftsman" approach to life, as well as the importance of honoring yourself and the opportunities you're presented with in life.

You'll also discover the power of building a powerful work ethic - the willingness to do whatever needs to be done in any particular situation, no matter how menial it may appear on the surface.

Join Matt and Jerome as they compare their very different paths that have led them to success and of course, excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How Jerome's path took him through the Peace Corps and eventually into Microsoft, Salesforce, Splunk and Dynatrac.
• Why he takes a "craftsman" approach to everything he does and why he believes that if something is worth doing, doing it well honors both you and your opportunities.
• How he's built his career around adventure and trying new things.
• And so much more...

Resources:

College Works

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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How do you go from being a hair-dresser to a highly sought-after speaker?

On today’s show, we have John Dijulius who shares with us his distilled wisdom on authenticity, finding your niche, and just doing shit well.

Growing up, John was a terrible student who suffered from massive ADD. But inspite of this, he always had his mother in his corner. John’s mother never stopped believing in him.

And, it was this innate desire to make his mother proud that pushed John to show his best self forward.

John started his career with a cushy job at UPS. But he soon realized that he had to get rid of these “golden handcuffs” in order to realize his dreams.

So, he partnered up with his better half to bootstrap John Robert’s Spa. From almost going out of business in the first month itself, today, John Robert’s employs more than 150 people across multiple locations in America.

Back in 2002, John incidentally discovered that he could make a living (and a very good one at that) as a professional speaker.

Today, John is one of the most sought-after experts and speakers in the field of customer service.

On today’s show, you will learn why fear is a good thing that can push you to be your absolute best. John also shares some excellent tips to help you grow and scale your business.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why fear is a good thing
• How to discover your passion and turn it into a profitable enterprise
• Sacrifices that I do not regret making
• And so much more…

Resources

John’s Website

John’s Facebook

John’s Twitter

John’s Instagram

John’s LinkedIn

Life As a Daymaker: How to Change the World by Simply Making Someone's Day

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview the incredible Scott Gladstone who shares with us his distilled wisdom on authenticity, teamwork, and work ethic.

As always, we start this show with Scott sharing his definition of excellence. Here, you will learn how authenticity is the one thing without which you cannot hope to find yourself on the edge of excellence.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family left an indelible impression on young Scott and he developed a growth-minded and creative mindset.

After graduating from Santa Barbara, Scott had a financially rewarding but ill-aligned stint at Bear Stearns. Encouraged by his mentor, Scott decided to quit his well-paying job and pursue his passion for automobiles by joining Sparco USA at the age of 23.

A supplier of high-end racing accessories, Sparco grew rapidly until Scott’s able leadership. However, 10 years later, Scott found himself wanting to transition out after his partners decided to exit and cash in on the company’s success.

So, in 2005, Scott started working as the COO of a much larger, much structured group, Anna’s Linens.

In 2015, fuelled by his entrepreneurial passions, Scott started a consulting business, Oceancrest Partners, LLC.

Currently, as the President of emotoring.com, Scott is massively transforming the traditional automotive experience.

This is a show you do not miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How being authentic can entrench you on the path of excellence
• Build trusting and exceeding expectations to build brand equity
• Why there is no alternative to hard work
• Importance of surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you
• And so much more…

Resources

Scott Gladstone

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview Alexis Rabadam, CEO, Finessed Media, Inc. who shares with us her distilled wisdom on motivation, entrepreneurship, and kickstarting a new business in the wake of covid.

As always, we start this show with Alexis sharing her definition of excellence. She reveals how she always strives to go the extra mile – so that they can accomplish something that she is truly proud of.

A passionate singer, Alexis recently started Finesse Media, an event company. But, then covid brought the world to a grinding halt.

Like many of us, Alexis retreated into a shell initially. But she was quick to come to grips with the situation and pivot from live to virtual events. Additionally, Finesse Media is also an e-learning platform for hip-hop artists.

On today’s show, you will learn why Alexis considers College Works to be the best experience of her whole life.

And towards the end, she reveals why serving others is the surest road to success.

Tune in for some massive inspiration. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How my ability to succeed skyrocketed after the College Works internship
• Why College Works has been the best experience of my life so far
• Why serving others is the surest way to success
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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How can you discover your zone of excellence? What are some of the things that you can do to find the right career path that will catapult you miles ahead of the competition?

On today’s show, we interview College Works alum Breanna Brady who shares with us her distilled wisdom on excellence, conviction, and the importance of finding your own tribe.

As always, we start this show with Breanna sharing her definition of excellence. You will learn the importance of critical self-evaluation and perseverance so that you can push yourself from being good to great.

Growing up, Breanna was admittedly confused and considered different professions ranging from law to paediatrics. Ultimately, she decided to pursue Psychology at Stony Brook University. And it was at this juncture that Breanna first came across College Works.

Owing to her competitive nature, Breanna was instinctively attracted to the College Works internship. And, she decided to give the internship her all even though her biggest advocate, her mother, was not particularly supportive. In this segment of the show, you will learn the importance of sticking to your convictions.

Other topics discussed on today’s show include the importance of optimism, flexibility, and finding your own tribe.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Finding your tribe and how a strong support system can help you ride out challenging times
• Why you need to be positive and open-minded to being new and exciting opportunities
• Sticking to your conviction, listening to your gut
• Sacrifices that I don’t regret making
• And so much more…

Resources

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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How can you avoid making some of the biggest rookie mistakes that young professionals make?

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Keith Fiscus, CEO, Innovative Career Resources & Staffing who shares with us wisdom on career exploration, entrepreneurship, and excellence.

As always, we start this show with our guest, Keith sharing his unique definition of excellence.

You will learn how you can get a leg up on the competition, and make massive career gains in your chosen profession.

Growing up, Keith wanted to emulate his uncle, who was a doctor by profession. So, it was hardly surprising that he went on to work in the military as a combat medic.

However, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship to satisfy his dual needs of greater freedom and better work-life balance.

So, exactly 19 years back, a newly married Keith chucked his W-2 day job and took on a loan of $50,000 to pursue his passion.

Admittedly, not having a safety net was hugely unnerving for Keith. But a supportive family helped Keith tide out this transitionary phase.

On today’s show, you will learn how you can avoid some of the biggest mistakes that young people make when they are about to step into professional life.

Specifically, you will learn the importance of professionalism, continuous learning, and resilience. You will also learn how to pick a career that is right for you. And how to pivot and change course when you find better opportunities along the way.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How to pick what you might love as a career
• How to leverage your network and find a great mentor who can truly help you out
• How to pivot and change course
• And so much more…

Resources

College Works

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Can you achieve your moonshot goals if you play it safe and shy away from taking calculated risks?

On today’s show, we interview Executive Coach and Change management expert Adam Sachs who shares with us his distilled wisdom on discovering your passion, leveraging your strengths, and taking the path less trodden.

Like most of us, growing up, Adam was really confused about his career path. So, after high school, he dabbled in a variety of industries like construction and internet marketing.

When Adam was in this exploratory mode, most of his friends chose to stick to the tried and tested path.

As a result, when Adam was slumming it out, his friends and peers seemingly left him far behind in the proverbial rat race.

In this segment of the show, you will learn why you need to find the courage and patience to sacrifice short-term gains for massive forward momentum.

After much trial and error, Adam finally chanced upon coaching and consulting. And he even took on debt so that he could get could the necessary certification.

Adam’s conviction paid off big time when he was hired as a coach for Edward Jones. Currently, Adam works as a business and organizational leadership coach for CACI International Inc.

On today’s show, you will learn why you need to be a constant learner if you hope to find yourself on the edge of excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why you must sacrifice short terms gains for massive forward momentum
• Sacrifices that I don’t regret making when I was in my twenties
• How to discover yourself through exploration and risk-taking
• And so much more…

Resources

College Works

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show we interview Dane Mauland who shares with us his thoughts on excellence, discovering your passion, and hardcore work ethic.

Dan also reveals why he considers teaching to be the most important profession in the world. And he also shares with us how his district manager experience elevated his emotional intelligence – which eventually helped him evolve into a more effective teacher.

We start this show with Dan sharing his definition of excellence.

Contrary to the popular school of thought, Dan shares that top performance alone is not sufficient for excellence. What you are doing has to be in your wheelhouse too.

If you don’t love your work, you will find it difficult to put in the time and effort required for consistent performance.

To better illustrate his point, Dan shares with us his own work experiences. After graduating from University of Wisconsin, Dan decided to pursue investment banking. Even though he was really good at his job, Dan hated every minute of it.

Eventually, Dan decided to pursue his love for coding at App Academy – a full-stack software training program with less than a 5% acceptance rate.

On today’s show, you will also get some important lessons in work ethic and prioritization. Learn how Dan managed to run a $130,000 painting business AND a cryptocurrency mining business while majoring in business at Wisconsin.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why teaching is the most important job in the world
• How my district manager stint taught me some important lessons in emotional intelligence
• Why life is long and short at the same time
• Time management and prioritization strategies
• Sacrifices that I made in my twenties that I don’t regret
• And so much more…

Resources

College Works

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview the incredible Joshua Esealuka, Enterprise Account Executive, AutoRABIT who shares with us his distilled wisdom on the true meaning of excellence, freedom, and materialism.

Growing up, while Joshua was big-time into football, he hated the structured world of academics. And it was not until he was on the verge of being kicked out of school and losing the chance to play football that Josh started to focus more on academics.

Upon graduation, Josh was determined to prove all his naysayers wrong. And he decided to venture into the world of enterprise sales.

Initially, Josh was fuelled by a strong desire to fulfill all his materialistic ambitions. But he soon realized the futility of this.

On today’s show, you will learn WHY your focus should be personal freedom and empowerment rather than money and materialistic success. You will learn why taking risks is the one thing that is crucial for success and excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why your end goal and focus should be personal freedom and empowerment rather than materialistic success
• Why taking risks is the ONE thing that is essential for your success and excellence
• Why it is NEVER too late to start all over again
• And so much more…

Resources

Rich Dad

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview Director of Corporate Development, EmpireWorks, Danielle Whitaker who shares with us her distilled wisdom on persistence, goal-setting, and finding your best path.

We start this show with Danielle sharing how she perceives excellence. When you are on the edge of excellence, you will flourish even in the face of massive personal and professional challenges. When you are coasting along in your flow state, nothing can stop you from putting your best self forward.

Growing up in suburban Chicago, Danielle had her fair share of ups and downs. And her parent’s messy divorce and modest financial means did not stop her from dreaming big.

After graduating with a degree in sociology from Urbana Champaign, 21-year-old Danielle moved to Vegas to help Empire Works with their talent acquisition. Eventually, she rose up the corporate ranks to become the Director of Corporate Development.

As an experienced talent acquisition expert, Danielle shares some golden nuggets guaranteed to help you out.

You will learn that the path to success is not a linear one. And that you will have to be flexible and pivot multiple times to reach your chosen destination.

You will learn how you can find your strengths and field that aligns well with them.

Additionally, we share some practical interview tips guaranteed to help you get your dream job.

Towards the end of this show, Danielle reflects back on her journey and shares some of the most important lessons that she has learned so far.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• My definition of excellence
• Tenacity and developing a never-say-die attitude
• How to pivot and reach your destination
• Practical interview tips to help you out
• And so much more…

Resources

Occupational Outlook Handbook

StrengthsFinder

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we have the incredible Darius Mirshahzadeh who shares with us his distilled wisdom on the importance of exploration, the true meaning of success, and authenticity.

When Darius was in his twenties, his sole focus in life was money. And while he did manage to fulfill most of his materialistic ambitions, eventually he realized the futility of his pursuit.

One of the biggest things that Darius emphasizes in today’s show is the importance of exploration.

Darius admits that “being money-centric” destroyed his twenties. And he advises those on the verge of starting their professional lives to retain a healthy, exploratory mindset.

We also talk a great deal about “enjoying the process”. In a mad dash for material success, we end up being in professions that are not aligned with our personalities. And doing things that we do not innately enjoy.

Cliché as it sound, if you follow your passion, work won’t seem like work at all.

Towards the end of the show, we talk a bit about staying true to your authentic self.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why you should never abandon an exploratory mindset
• Why being “money-centric” will only harm you in the long run
• Being true to yourself and finding your trusted tribe
• And so much more…

Resources

The Greatness Machine Podcast

Darius’ Website

Darius’ Instagram

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Can you find spectacular success without experiencing your fair share of setbacks?

On today’s show, we interview Rob Lovato, territory sales executive, Beckman Coulter who shares with us his distilled wisdom on grit, excellence, and success.

Growing up, Rob was lucky to study in an extremely competitive high school, an experience that made him realize the importance of excellence and continuous improvement.

However, money was tight when he was about to enroll in college, and so he decided to go to Naval Academy instead. Life had different plans and Rob had to leave the academy midway due to a busted shoulder.

For a while, Rob had to attend community college and he ended up feeling demotivated and depressed owing to the poor quality of education.

This is when he ran into College Works.

Rob stayed with College Works from 2011 to 2017, an experience that funded his education at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.

Currently, as an account manager with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Rob markets diagnostic medical equipment and is responsible for a territory generating $10M in annual revenues You will get a peek into the world of medical equipment and pharmaceutical sales. And learn about the critical attributes that have contributed to Rob’s success.

Rob opens up his playbook and shares why spectacular success is not possible without making sacrifices.

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Understanding excellence and why it is a moving target
• Being persistent and overcoming setbacks
• How College Works can help you realize your life goals
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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It only took five days...

Danny Sonenshine had only been working as a legal associate in a large international firm for five days when he realized that he hated what he was doing. Every day people find themselves struggling in places that leave them unfulfilled, from their relationships to their careers.

In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt talks with Danny Sonenshine, CEO and Founder of Far West Restaurants and former legal associate about the importance of having a strong support system when striving for excellence.

You'll discover why Danny left his legal career behind just as it began and took a leap of faith - creating his own restaurant business, despite knowing nothing about the industry.

You'll learn how seeking out experts and mentors helped Danny fill in the gaps in his new business, and how those mentors ended up supporting him in ways far beyond business matters.

You'll discover the importance of applying empathy to every area of your life, not just your job or business, and that you likely have a powerful support system of friends and family around you right now... you've just never noticed it before.

You'll also learn why your relationships with friends and family - those who are trying to support you - are key players in helping you to be more open-minded and optimistic.

Join Matt and Danny as they explore the vital role your environment plays in your path to excellence!

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Why Danny left a lucrative career as a legal associate to create his own business focused on understanding people and building relationships.
• How he learned to turn to others in order to fill the gaps in the areas he wasn't an expert in.
• How you can create a supportive environment for yourself, whether at home, at school or in your job.
• Why it's key to be open-minded and optimistic when dealing with friends and family - those who are trying to support you.
• And so much more...

Resources:

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s Edge of Excellence show, we have Payson Maydew who shares with us his thoughts on time management and positive mindset.

We start this show with Payson sharing what excellence means to him. You will learn that the path to success is laden with adversity, and the right mindset can help you overcome your biggest challenges.

Even in high school, Payson liked to keep busy as he pursued a versatile range of interests like sports, theatre, and music. And he continued to pursue his different passions even after starting his CollegeWorks internship.

Payson shares his effective time-blocking technique where he breaks down his schedule into small 10-minute chunks. Using his technique, Payson is able to do justice to all his commitments while keeping his stress in check.

In the last segment of the show, Payson gives us a peek into his life as an accountant at Deloitte. Apart from honing his number-crunching skills, Payson shares how he strives to understand the big picture. We also talk a bit about how covid has impacted him and his organization as a whole.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Effective time management strategies
• Mindset strategies and responding to adversity
• Importance of surrounding yourself with the right people who can help you cultivate a stellar mindset
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Today’s show is about the importance of building relationships.

You will get a short reminder as to WHY relationships are foundational to a successful life. Additionally, you will also learn the HOW as Mike shares three critical steps to help you build great relationships.

If you are keen on leaving behind a powerful legacy, tuning in to today’s show will give you some much-needed inspiration.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The three critical steps for building great relationships
• Shedding narcissism, and being magnetic to others
• Why selfless giving is the only way of forging lifelong relationships
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show of the Edge of Excellence podcast, we interview second lieutenant, Marine Corps, Kyle Emerick who shares with us thoughts on excellence, time management, and focus.

For Kyle, achieving excellence is about doing well in all facets of his life. He shares with us the 5F’s which are helping him lead a well-balanced life.

Back in high school, Kyle was drinking and partying way too much. However, in college, he came in touch with his mentor who helped him sober up and set his life in order.

Kyle was keen to separate himself from the crowd with a meaningful internship. And impressed by his incredible peers and the rigorous hiring process, Kyle chose College Works. In this segment, he shares how the internship and real-world experience that came along with it catapulted him ahead of the competition.

Currently, Kyle is a second lieutenant with the Marine Corps. He is also working on getting his engineering degree alongside. You will learn how time management and prioritization can fast-track your success in this segment of the show.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How an internship with real-world experience can be your differentiating factor
• The 5 F’s for leading a well-balanced life
• How time management and prioritization can fast track your success
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, you will learn some actionable, common-sense stress management tips so that you can push through unhindered on the path of excellence.

While stress is a constant fixture in our lives, a perspective shift can help us hone in on the real stresses that truly merit our attention. Doing so will allow us to focus, build systems, and find solutions that alleviate our anxiety.

We share some easy-to-implement exercises to help you out in today’s show.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why stress is inevitable when you are pursuing excellence
• Recognizing real stresses, and learning to tackle them
• Building systems for alleviating anxiety
• Easy-to-implement stress management exercises
• And so much more…

Resources

The Fall of the Human Intellect

Art of Happiness

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Ever wondered how the right internship can steer you towards success?

In today’s show, Matt interviews Marissa Wiegand, Budget Accountant, Caterpillar Inc. who shares with us her thoughts on excellence, relationships, and the importance of making sacrifices.

Back in high-school, Marissa was the typical overachiever with a 4.0 GPA. However, once she started college, she was no longer a “big fish in a small pond”, and found herself out of sorts for the first semester. Admittedly, Marissa was not living up to the high standards of excellence that she had set for herself.

This is when she found CollegeWorks.

Marissa went all out to ensure that her CollegeWorks internship was a success. She talks about sacrificing her social life and spending hours knocking on stranger’s doors. Her then-boyfriend and now husband even drove Marissa around to help her out.

Listeners will learn how this experience taught twenty-year-old Marissa to say yes to more things. And how she got the confidence and the push to join other student organizations.

What’s more, her internship helped her secure a job at Caterpillar upon graduation. Marissa’s experience helped her stand out among a sea of candidates, and she shares how the interviewer was left dumbfounded once they heard what all she had done at CollegeWorks.

Today, Marissa manages a $200 million budget at Caterpillar. Other than her accounting and analytical skills, she reveals how building great relationships have helped her quickly rise through the corporate ranks.

Tune in to get inspired!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The meaning of excellence
• How CollegeWorks gave me the confidence to put myself out there – and to say yes to more things
• How CollegeWorks helped me secure my dream job
• Why building relationships is the one thing that can help you rise through the corporate ranks
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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On today’s show, we interview Darin Anderson, Chairman, and CEO, Salas O’Brien who shares with us his distilled wisdom on excellence, perseverance, and self-belief. You will also get some practical financial tips as Darin espouses the benefits of putting up with short-term pains for long-term gains.

Growing up, admittedly, Darin wasn’t exceptional in academics or sports. And he only discovered himself in college.

When Darin entered college, he was intensely aware that his parents had limited means. And he did not want them to take on extra debt. So, he had to make his own share of sacrifices as he took the harder right and set out to make the life of dreams for himself.

Darin first took up the engineering route but then decided to pivot and get his CPA. While working at PWC, Darin got an opportunity to learn about industry best practices that set the tone for an immensely successful career.

At the age of 25, Darin was appointed the CFO of an architectural engineering firm. He went on to have some immensely successful stints at the Kleinfelder and ABM industries.

Today, as a business leader at the helm of a large consulting firm, Darin talks about the importance of constantly benchmarking yourself against your peers. We also discuss some critical traits that enable great leaders to build trust and find buy-in.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In this Show

• Understanding excellence and how to level up by benchmarking yourself against your peers
• Putting up with short-term pains for long-term gains
• Critical traits of hugely successful leaders
• And so much more…

Resources

Darin’s LinkedIn

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

CollegeWorks

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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In today’s show, we interview 22-year-old Jack Kratcha who reveals how he has managed to earn $220K in his three years at College Works.

Jack shares his distilled wisdom on excellence, taking the path less trodden, and the perks of being your own boss.

Back in high school, Jack was great at sports and academics. But, college at Madison proved to be a different ball game, as being in the midst of all 4.0 GPA students overwhelmed him. Being introverted in nature did not help at all, and Jack withdrew into a shell.

This is when he discovered CollegeWorks.

Initially, his peers ridiculed him for his unconventional choice. But this did not shake Jack's conviction. And he chucked his $9/hour job to work as a student painter and manager.

Today, Jack’s persistence has paid off big time.

While his classmates are finding the going difficult in the wake of covid, Jack has earned $220K over the past three years.

Learn how not making the “normal choices” paid off big time for Jack. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Finding the courage to take the path less trodden
• Can introverts be great managers and business owners?
• The many perks of being your own business
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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What do successful business leaders do differently? What is the “secret sauce” that enables them to outperform the competition again and again?

In today’s show of The Excel Today podcast, we interview Rob Sprong, President, KeenView, and CollegeWorks who shares what excellence means to him. He reveals his four main excellence drivers and shares why it is important to constantly benchmark yourself against your high-performing peers.

Early on in his story, Rob realized the importance of putting his absolute best self forward. Playing baseball and football in high school and college helped Rob develop his incredible work engine.

Additionally, at UC, San Diego, Rob set up a thriving tutoring business before he discovered College Works. College Works played a huge role in helping Rob discover his path to being an accomplished businessman as he successfully managed painting projects worth thousands of dollars.

As the President of Keenview, Rob and his team help businesses assess and address internal vulnerabilities. Particularly, he talks a great deal about what it takes to develop and nurture dream vendors who move the needle forward.

Other topics discussed in today’s show include how to manage the challenges of working from home, and tips for getting into the right headspace.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The four factors of excellence
• Leadership rules of conduct that I have always lived by
• How to find and to nurture dream vendor relationships
• My morning routine, and how it helps me get into the right headspace
• And so much more…

Resources

KeenView

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Today’s show is about time management. If you are shooting for excellence in your personal and professional life, you won’t get to your end goal without prioritization and time management.

On today’s show, you will learn why you need to work on the tasks that are “important but not yet urgent”. Doing so will bring down your stress levels while boosting your output levels.

Planning for fun and pre-work are two other important concepts that we discuss on today’s show.

If you are regularly putting in 100-hour weeks, are jumping from one deadline to the next, and taking no time out for yourself, you WILL get burnt out sooner or later.

Likewise, if you are not factoring in the time and effort required for pre-work, you will miss your targets again and again.

Matthew also shares some excellent practical tips to help you out including weekly reviews, quarterly plans, and time-blocking techniques.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Why you should take up tasks that are important but not yet urgent
• How to get better at time management by reviewing progress on a weekly and quarterly basis
• How better time management can help you reign in stress
• And so much more…

Resources

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

College Works YouTube Channel

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Ever wondered how the Kobe Bryant’s, Tom Brady’s, and Michael Jordan’s of the world stay on the top of their game?

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Omar Zarabi, Founder and CEO, Port53 who shares with us his wisdom on excellence, passion, and goal-setting.

As a 4-year-old kid from Afghanistan who did not know a word of English, Omar was constantly bullied by his classmates.

And when you are picked on for being different, one of the two things can happen - either you withdraw into a shell. Or, like, Omar, you grow up with a chip on your shoulder.

Determined to prove everyone wrong, Omar was driven to excel from a very young age. So, needless to say, he was great in sports and academics in high school. He graduated with a degree in Economics from UC Davis and took up the CollegeWorks internship at this juncture.

Upon graduation, he got a sales position at OpenDNS (which was later acquired by Cisco). Alongside, he also started his first entrepreneurial venture, BlueBoard. Currently, Omar is the Founder and CEO of the cyber-security firm, Port53.

A hugely successful entrepreneur, Omar is driven by his passion and his thirst for excellence. Learn how a firm commitment to above-average goals can motivate you to put your best self forward. And how you can stoke your passion in constant pursuit of excellence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How to constantly reset the bar higher and higher
• Cheat codes for cultivating a positive mindset
• Setting above-average goals for above-average results
• How I started an IT company without zero coding knowledge
• And so much more…

Resources

College Works

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Are you confused with the wide range of career choices? Do you feel that you are making life-altering decisions without doing your due diligence?

If this is you, you are not alone. In fact, like you, most of your counterparts also make education and career choices without following any streamlined process.

In today’s show, Matt shares some practical and actionable tips to help you out. From taking a DISC test to researching different career options, we share some great information to help you out. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How to make career choices that align with your personality
• How a DISC personality assessment test can help you out
• How to research different career options
• And so much more…

Resources

DISC Personality Testing

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Ever wanted to know how successful entrepreneurs make it happen? How do they make decisions that catapult them miles ahead of the competition?

In today’s show, we interview Nicole McMackin, President, Irvine Technology Corporation who shares with you her wisdom on success, mindset, and workplace diversity.

Growing up, Nicole always possessed an incredible work ethic and focus. She credits her parents – both hard-working entrepreneurs for instilling in her foundational values that set the tone for her brilliant career.

Early on in her story, Nicole realized that she had to take massive action to meet her long-term goals…even if it meant making sacrifices in the short-run. And so, she did what any rational person would, and took a 50% pay cut to work as a Business Development Executive for a head hunter.

And this gamble paid off for her – and how.

In this new role, Nicole got the opportunity to meet the recruiting heads of some of the biggest tech companies in the region. And soon enough, she got her big break when Advecta, an information technology firm hired her as a senior account manager.

In the year 2000, armed with some great experiences, and discovering her passion for building a more diverse, inclusive workplace, Nicole decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge with ITC.

As a thought leader in her field, Nicole shares what women should do if they are being meted out differential treatment at the workplace. You will learn how deep-rooted unconscious bias is even today, and why this issue needs to be dealt with, urgently, and strategically.

Do not miss this incredible show! Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• How building a powerful network can catapult you ahead of the competition
• Tackling unconscious bias and building a more diverse workplace
• Can you enjoy incredible success without compromising on your work-life balance?
• And so much more…

Resources

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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In today’s show, Matthew interviews Michael Caito, CEO and owner, MAP Consulting who shares with us his life story, and his entrepreneurial wisdom.

You will learn how he bootstrapped his food delivery business with just $6,000, sold it at an extremely attractive valuation, and the biggest lessons that he learned in the process.

Michael’s parents got divorced when he just 13, and his mother moved to Wisconsin while Mike was back in NY. Mike’s confidence took a major beating because of this, and he had a particularly rough time in high school.

Fortunately for him, he was reunited with his mother just before college. At this juncture, Mike got his first taste of entrepreneurship as he went door-to-door preaching the bible. Additionally, once he got recognition, he was also invited to speak at congregations.

This experienced did him a world of good, and Mike was in overdrive by the time he entered college. So, when the opportunity to start a restaurant delivery business with his brother came along, Mike was quick to snap it up.

Being single and having no other commitments helped as Mike and his partners went all out to make their business a success. In 2015, after scaling to $40 million in revenues, Mike sold off his business at an extremely attractive valuation.

Recently, Mike has come back from retirement as the owner and CEO of Management Actions Program, Inc. (MAP), a consultancy firm.

In today’s show, Mike calls out some of the most important attributes that have contributed to his incredible success. Specifically, we discuss the importance of work ethic, continuous learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

Mike also shares the SIX KEYS of Excellence which have held him in good stead over the years.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established one, tuning in to today will surely inspire you to put your best self forward.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• The Six Keys of Excellence
• Why curiosity is the one thing that can help you find entrepreneurial success
• How to ensure continuous learning in a professional environment
• Bootstrapping, Scaling, and Exiting Big
• And so much more…

Resources

Michael’s TedX Talk

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/

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Have you discovered the right career path that can transform your life and power you ahead?

On today’s show, Matt Stewart, CEO & Entrepreneur, College Works Painting who shares with us his life story, and reveals how he found his true calling.

Growing up, Matt was fired from all sorts of jobs before he found his true path and unique ability. At the age of 20, he found the career path that was destined for him.

Matt had his eyes set on becoming a lawyer when he was studying at UC, Santa Barbara. And inspite of being hugely success-motivated, he had not bothered to explore the different career options out there. Matt was going ahead with his blindfolds on.

Once Matt discovered the right career, there was no holding him back. This discovery transformed his life and catapulted him ahead of the competition.

So, if you are young, wildly ambitious, and are aspiring to be a leader, tuning in today will particularly help you out. You will learn how you can explore different paths and discover the perfect career with perfect life balance.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

• Sharing my life story
• How to explore different career paths
• How discovering the right career had a transformation impact on my life
• And so much more…

Resources:

CollegeWorks Website

Edge Of Excellence Bundle

Edge Of Excellence Is Brought To You By College Works Painting Internship

College Works Paintings provides college and university students a unique, life-transforming opportunity to build business management and leadership skills, hands-on. The internship empowers students to run their own local businesses, manage their own crew of people, and provide a much-needed service within their communities - while earning money as well as an invaluable experience.

Their internship allows students to not only gain valuable work experience but to help finance their college educations as well. The company is known for having some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

To learn more: https://www.collegeworks.com/students-home-page/