Troublemakers

Clement King Troublemaker at Executive Consulting LLC

Getting to know Clement King, you get the sense that his career trajectory was single  minded. He spent 17 years in highly important roles guiding companies like Wells Fargo, HSBC, S&P Global, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays Investment Bank, and Citi.  During that period, Clement was focused  on risk and business strategy.  Then best-selling author Patrick Lencioni came to do a 3-day workshop. He had written "The Advantage. Why organizational health trumps everything else in business."  Bu...

Alan F3 Zorro Blakeborough, Troublemaker at Tax Titons

When I run into someone whose job title on LinkedIn is Chief Disruption Officer, I know the podcast will be terrific.  Alan F3 Zorro Blakeborough did not disappoint. He is packed with energy and pulls people into his orbit simply based on his total optimism.  While solving a critical issue for the accounting sector, he also identified another  totally overlooked issue.  A lack of succession planning in the accounting sector.   Alan's LinkedIn profile shows at least 20 different businesses...

Jessica Wolf Troublemaker at Skye

Jessica Wolf has had six jobs. All of them were focused on community building. She is a great example of finding a career path you like and sticking to it. Her latest is Skye, a platform for coaching and serving leaders and their teams. A 2022 paper from Statista found the  United Kingdom and the United States spending the least on e-learning or business or life coaching.  (source)  This fact and and Jessica's focus on growth prove she and Skye are in the right place at the right time.  ...

Anjani Annumalla Troublemaker at Bunafr

When troublemaker CEOs find ways to disrupt sleepy business sectors there's always a lot they can teach us.  Founder and CEO of Bunafr, Anjani Annumalla, set his sights on a business sector 200 years old - the coffee industry. For centuries, coffee enthusiasts had no control of the part of the process that gives coffee its taste - the roasting.  This from an interview with Anjani -  “Home coffee roasting can revolutionize the way each cup is personalized and consumed. And on top of that,...

Perry Griffith and Harry Dubke Troublemakers at Cortado

The more I do these podcasts, the more optimistic I am that opportunities are all around us entrepreneurs. If you have the instinct to see them, and the bravery to jump in, you can be like my next guests. Perry Griffith and Harry Dubke spotted, a gap in the three-to-four month rental market for student and intern housing – not just in DC, but world-wide.  Their company is Cortado, which means "stripped down" or efficient. And that's how they run their company. You're going to enjoy this one.

Rolan Reichel Troublemaker at Arrow

We who are comfortable with technology, navigating social media, and working the web naturally think everyone else is just as adept. But that's not the case.  All across America, HVAC installers, restaurants, and fashion stores are trying to survive post Covid and keep the lights on. Many don't even have a website and most don't have time to understand social media - much less to use it to grow their businesses. My next guest, Rolan Reichel, has recognized just how lucrative this underserv...

Rolan Reichel Troublemaker at Arrow.ai

Denis Huré Troublemaker at Reward the World

The consumer loyalty market worldwide is valued at more than four billion U.S. dollars and it's expected to surpass 18 billion by the end of 2028. - Statista  I remember when customer loyalty programs meant airline miles and credit card rewards. When Generation Z came along the rewards programs had to adapt to the demands of instant gratification.  Denis Huré, entrepreneur, disruptor, and Founder / CEO of Reward the World, followed a path of marketing and   One thing you’ll learn about D...

Doug Standley Troublemaker at niolabs

Confidence isn't binary. It manifests in degrees.  Doug Standley, CEO of niolabs is 100% confident. Deeply driven. Yet, humble.  Most of his career was at Deloitte, helping companies not get too spun up about all the new digital solutions out there. Instead, Doug's team helped companies understand digitization and building successful implementations. They earned a ton of money and the trust of their clients by simply telling the truth, with none of the hype.  He wrote the first 3 articles...

Dr. Keith Arbeitman Troublemaker at SymplBrush

618 BCE - The toothbrush was invented during the Tang Dynasty. 2021 CE - After 3 years of research and invention, Dr. Keith Arbeitman launched the SymplBrush. It cleans more effectively, and it’s safer (and faster) than any other toothbrush. Dr. Arbeitman - "As a dentist, a lot of the work I do is the consequence of people either brushing too hard and hurting their teeth and gums, or not brushing hard enough to clean their teeth, causing cavities and gum infections," says Keith Arbeitman, ...

Martin Randolph Troublemaker at Osmond

When I imagine the Security Services sector, I think of tough guys with muscles bulging through their black suits. The reality of the industry is quite different. Statista reports that the North American Security Services market is $32 Billion Dollars. Martin Randolph is a serial entrepreneur. Interviewing him led me to think that staring into money-making ventures as children or teens might be common amongst troublemakers. Martin started his first business at age 11 with an aftermarket ska...

Ralf Kaiser Troublemaker at Greenlight Payments

In this podcast, Ralf Kaiser CEO of Integrated Compliance Solutions and their subsidiary Greenlight Payments will provide a different perspective on hemp and cannabis – the business side, especially as regards helping cannabis companies succeed in full compliance with the law. Hemp cultivation for fibre was recorded in China as early as 2800 years ago and was practiced in the Mediterranean countries of Europe early in the Christian era, spreading throughout the rest of Europe during the Mid...

Greg Kerber Troublemaker at Gnome Serum

Greg Kerber has been a troublemaker pretty much since birth. He started off in the world of finance, solving complex problems. Then, when the Internet started, he was one of the early innovators, building the first block chain on a peer-to-peer network. After that, he helped his family launch a company called Rad Soap, selling all kinds of natural body care products. His ex-wife and two sons run the company. The sons got Greg's DNA for aggressive marketing.  The latest highly disruptive adv...

Phil Newmoyer Troublemaker at PROVOSO

Software companies have had an easy ride for decades. They come up with good solutions. The companies who subscribe get almost all of the expected benefits. But the Internet turns just about everything into a commodity, and after that it's just a matter of who lowers their prices  faster.  Phil Newmoyer, CEO of PROVOSO, has a refreshingly different approach. The best way I can sum it up is his very strong EQ. For those companies who haven't heard of EQ, it's Emotional Quotiant. As you look...

Scott Ewing Troublemaker at Appalachian Investors Alliance

This paragraph from Appalachian Investors Alliance (AIA) perfectly clarifies how they are bringing hope to the determined ingenious, and gritty entrepreneurs in small towns all over this part of the country. "The Appalachian region is known for tough, blue collar people who for generations have beaten the odds to overcome unforgiving landscapes and harsh conditions using grit, determination, and ingenuity. As it looks to re-invent for the next chapter of the region, Appalachia is collective...

Gwen and Tommy Mitchell Troublemakers at LogHeads Home Center

In this episode you'll meet Tommy and Gwen Mitchell, Founders of LogHeads Home Center and stars on the DIY and GAC networks' show LogHeads for two years. The show had top 3 viewership on these networks, and if you get to know Tommy and Gwen you'll understand why. They're honest, trusting, hard-working, and brilliant at their careers. I think the theme to this episode is perseverance. The team was at the top of their game, with EBITDA in the 7 figures. The TV show was a great marketing vehic...

John Ricci Troublemaker at Danavation

There are certain sectors who are often late to embrace technologies that could make their lives easier and their bank accounts more bloated. Retail is one of them. There are several areas in retail that have needed re-thinking as far back as 40 years. My guest for this podcast has tackled one of the most critical ones. John Ricci of Danavation is re-inventing signage on shelves and throughout stores using the IoT.  Danavation Technologies Corp.™ is a leading provider of micro e-paper mess...

Pam Gunther Troublemaker at Fit and Fun Playscapes

Pam Gunther of Fit and Fun Playscapes wanted to build a business selling inventive active learning solutions into schools. She didn’t rush the launch of Fit and Fun Playscapes. Instead, she used the time to embed herself into the education world, talking to physical educators, principals, teachers, occupational therapists and health professionals, learning about their struggles and the important multi-faceted connections between physical activity, the brain and learning.   10 years later, P...

Dr. Bill Hudenko Troublemaker at Trusst

In this podcast, I was surprised to learn so much about the mental health industry and those trying to navigate it. Then again, I was learning from someone accustomed to dropping boldly clear statements like this - The mental healthcare system is broken. Trusst is how we start fixing it. As you'll learn in the podcast, Dr. Bill Hudenko is CEO of Trusst, a company that's going to greatly improve delivery of mental healthcare.  Mental disorders are an overlooked part of the medical sector,...

Candice Crane Troublemaker at Crane Automotive Resources

Where most people put their job title on their LinkedIn profile, Candice Crane has this - "People Strategist, Transformation Leader, Speaker. "  Her focus is on strategic organizational development. She can reduce turnover and engage employees in challenging environments.  The retail side of the auto industry is certainly challenging. As you'll hear in the podcast, many of the leaders in dealerships came to the industry straight out of college, or worked their way up from the Sales side. Mo...

Dusty Bonner Troublemaker at Trupanion

Meet Dusty Bonner, Senior VP of Distribution and Field Sales at Trupanion, a highly innovative pet insurance company. Trupanion has been shaking up their business sector since 2000.  Veterinarians didn't open their practices to sell pet insurance. But they know the value Trupanion can bring to ease their clients’ worries when injuries or illness strike. As Dusty points out, Trupanion is continually looking for ways to help Veterinarians help their clients.

Amit Chandarana Troublemaker at Roadster

Amit Chandarana is Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development at Roadster, a company that is transforming the automobile sales experience. Crunchbase says: Roadster is transforming the way that dealerships sell new cars by bringing the end to end car buying process completely online. This is a $1 trillion industry which had yet to be disrupted. Amit says, "We're laser focused on modernizing the auto industry." But Amit's focus, indeed obsession, is on the entire auto industry eco...

Brian White Troublemaker at Herschel Supply

Executives like Brian White, Herschel Supply’s new Senior Vice President of Global Sales, bring a huge amount of experience and energy to the companies they work with. At the same time, the kind of companies who seek out people like Brian give them the freedom to bring their A game. As Brian says, "My job was to represent the brands, but in a lot of ways, they helped to define me. My reputation is really driven by the strong brands that I've worked for." The fashion industry is notoriously ...

Bridget Molloy Troublemaker at Bridget's Botanicals

Bridget Molloy is CEO of Bridget's Botanicals. She's selling solutions in a category with standards that range from the highly scientific to the completely fanciful.  Since 2014, Bridget has formulated and manufactured over 40 products and developed 30 community classes, 2 courses, and an online course portal. Each health product she launches is formulated based on current scientific research combined with traditional global healing practices and manufactured in small batches in Colorado, f...

Lori Jones Troublemaker at VPL

Shipping adds millions of dollars to our nation’s growing healthcare costs every year.  In our latest podcast, Lori Jones, Vice President of Sales and the VPL team are shaking up their industry to change that, and their solution is perfect for these COVID-19 times.  Hospitals need supplies to do what they do. They order those supplies from vendors. Those vendors add freight charges to get those supplies from their factories and warehouses to the hospitals. But those freight charges often h...

Matt Weber Troublemaker at Fit For Work

Matt Weber, Fit For Work’s National Director of Sales, takes us through a rapid-fire story of a company who’s been innovating in their business sector since 1998. This simple statement is sending shock waves through their business sector:  “We prevent people from getting injured.” Here's another: "Fit For Work achieves a 50% reduction in injuries and the accompanying costs."   If those statement don’t seem earthshaking to you, it’s because you’re not a Safety Manager, Plant Manager, or a ...

Kirsten Potenza Troublemaker at POUND® Fitness

Kirsten Potenza is Co-Creator and CEO of POUND®, a fitness phenomenon taught by over 25,000 instructors in over 100 countries to hundreds of thousands of participants every week. POUND® is the world's first cardio jam session, inspired by the energizing, infectious, sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums!  This from their YouTube page - "Fusing cardio, Pilates, isometric movements, plyometrics and isometric poses all in a 45-minute session, this workout burns 600-900 cal/hour while rocking...

DR. Brian Skow Troublemaker at Avera eCARE

Dr. Skow, Chief Medical Officer of Avera eCARE, and his colleagues are experts in telemedicine. But not the kind of telemedicine that we've heard about recently in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. Rather, these practitioners in all fields of medicine are experts in providing myriad services to critical access hospitals and their patients across the country. Avera eCARE has a full virtual hospital that is staffed 24/7 with physicians and other medical professionals who can collaborate wi...

Rob Neuner Troublemaker at Boost Oxygen

Rob Neuner, CEO of Boost Oxygen has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. For entrepreneurs, that's a skill that comes in handy. It certainly helped Rob and his team navigate the many challenges of bringing a new concept to the U.S. market. You think your startup experienced bumps in the road? One of Rob's first ones was the United States Department of Transportation. They didn't like the canister design Boost Oxygen was shipping and shut things down for about 6 months. Th...

Chris Brownbridge Troublemaker at Silver Lining

For Chris Brownridge, the anonymity of the job search process needs to change and he’s working to do just that. Starting simply from a spreadsheet of employee names and qualifications that he shared on LinkedIn, Chis has created a community – Silver Lining – designed to help the recently unemployed know that they’re not alone. Chris pointed out how dehumanizing it can be for those looking for work, or as he puts it, people are forced to “Throw resumes and applications into the abyss,” and n...

Jon Montenero Troublemaker at BridgeHealth

Most of us know what to look for generally when selecting a doctor or a pharmacy, but once we get into the more technical aspects of healthcare, like choosing the best physician or hospital for a surgical procedure, we need technical manuals and masters to advise us. That’s what BridgeHealth does. “It’s really about guiding the member to the best possible location and physician for their personal needs,” said Jon Montenero,  Vice President of Enterprise Sales.

Ken Bombace Troublemaker at Global Threat Solutions

Ken Bombace and Global Threat Solutions are in the protection, investigation, and due diligence industry. The company is 100% veteran owned and 100% on point when it comes to doing even the smallest, seemingly menial parts of their job.  I got several great quotes from Ken during this podcast and these two are my favorites:  "Perseverance. Never quitting is the number one attribute for any successful entrepreneur.” "No matter how busy we have become, I monitor all communications threads f...

Sean Weisbord Troublemaker at BurnAlong

Steve interviews troublemaker Sean Weisbord, Director of Sales at BurnAlong. Online workout offerings typically don't keep users for long. BurnAlong has identified two key experiences that work in gyms, and built them into a dynamic online health and wellness platform: An inspiring and relatable instructor - BurnAlong has partnered with 100s of across 45 categories, for unparalleled choice. Social motivation - members can take classes alone or live online with others they  invite. These ...

Karma Tenzing Nyangmi Troublemaker in Nepal

You think your industry throws difficulties your way? Meet Karma Tenzing. He’s a social entrepreneur up against tremendous odds in Nepal.  Three of the world's major religions believe in Karma: Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. 81% of the population of Nepal practice Hinduism. 9% practice Buddhism. Those who believe in Karma think their past deeds determine their present circumstances and present deeds determine future outcomes. So when things go wrong, like a major earthquake that hit Kathm...

Danny Nelms Troublemaker at Work Institute

Danny Nelms, President of the Work Institute, can tell you more about the health of your company just by talking to your people than any spreadsheet or financial report ever will. Danny and his team at the Work Institute believe that the employees of any organization are foundational to its success. Why are companies failing to understand this simple fact? That’s what we asked Danny in our interview as we met to discuss the latest publication from the Work Institute, “EmployeR Engagement: ...

James Eves Troublemaker at Eves3

James Eves is the Yoda of graphic arts. I first met him in Richmond Virginia. I knew he was a troublemaker right away. We've been friends and associates ever since. James found his way through the flotsam and jetsam of the sinking marketing industry. He did it thanks to his extremely high standards, his bravado, and his honesty.  There are several quotes in this podcast that will inspire any entrepreneur, and especially those who came up in the era of craftsmanship in marketing.

David Feinberg Troublemaker at PURE Juicer

The cold press juicer category had no serious advancements in the last 50 years. Then David Feinberg began re-thinking everything. His energy and inventiveness resulted in a far superior cold press juicer, healthier juice for his customers, and an amazing journey for David. And he's just getting started.