“Entrepreneurship is scary as well as compelling in a weird way.” – Shay ProsserThat’s the quiet admission of someone who’s lived the tension of building something that matters—between fear & purpose, risk & reward—and kept moving anyway.Shay started in chaos: a newborn on the floor, the economy unraveling, & a business idea that couldn’t wait for permission.It wasn’t perfect timing; it was purpose knocking early.When her one-to-one financial coaching couldn’t reach enough people, she rebuilt the model—bringing financial education into workplaces & later onto military bases with the USO.That pivot became her pattern: find the gap, build the bridge.So when business owners began coming to her not just for answers but for direction, she created spaces to think differently—to set bold goals, make smart moves, & scale with clarity, courage, & connection.Today, she helps business owners do what she’s always done—move forward, even when the path isn’t clear.Not with ten-year dreams, but ninety-day wins.Progress, not perfection.Because growth doesn’t come from having it all together—it comes from showing up anyway.To learn more, connect with her through North 12 Partners or Birthing of Giants.Shay reminds us what Amelia Earhart said best: “The most effective way to do it is to do it.”

“I don’t give advice to my kids. I lead by example.” – Mark Fujiwara Mark’s compass isn’t a slogan on a wall—it’s lived.Born to a Japanese father and Chinese mother, he grew up between two worlds that both valued humility, presence, & community.✨Wabi-sabi: embrace the cracks & fill them with gold.✨Ichigo ichie: the sacredness of one moment.✨Kaizen: one small improvement, every day.✨Ikigai: doing work that gives life meaning.Those ideas shaped not just his mindset—but how he leads.In boardrooms, he’s the calm in the storm.In life, he’s the guy who turns struggle into connection.As a wealth advisor, speaker, & founder of Sanctuary 88, he doesn’t preach balance—he models it. He builds spaces where honesty is strength & leadership begins with stillness.Because in a world obsessed with hustle, Mark reminds us that the rarest power is peace.The kind that leads quietly, listens deeply, & lifts everyone in the room.If you’ve ever needed a reminder that leadership can sound like silence…Connect with Mark through Sanctuary 88 & markfujiwara.com.Lao Tzu said, “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”Mark listened.

“I don’t take no for an answer, & I’m kind of a warrior for kids in foster care.” – Susanna KavanaughThat line doesn’t come from a podium. It comes from a mom who’s loved, lost, & chosen to love again.At 18, Susanna placed a child for adoption, a wound so deep it could have ended her story.Instead, it fueled her purpose—to shoulder the ache of kids in broken systems & fight to change their stories.Years later, she & her husband fostered a little boy, loved him for nine months—then watched him leave. The heartbreak dimmed her fire, & she swore she’d never do it again.But conviction has a way of roaring back.And when it did, Susanna swung the door wide open.From babysitting “just for a weekend” to launching Least of These Carolinas, she kept saying yes. Yes to heartbreak. Yes to risk. Yes to kids who need more than a trash bag to carry their lives in.She hasn’t just built a nonprofit. She’s built a movement—by refusing to stay quiet when the system says no, & by relentlessly saying yes to kids who just need a champion.Get involved at LOTCarolinas.com.Susanna proves what Albert Schweitzer said:“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even the smallest act of caring has the potential to turn a life around.”

“You have an opportunity to take your natural skills and put ’em in a place that they aren’t naturally found.” – Rob Norris That’s not advice.That’s a dare.Because it’s easy to keep your talents where they stack neatly, to stay in the aisle with the labels facing forward. Safe. Predictable. Comfortable.Rob refused the shelf.He dropped sales skills into technology.Made early websites usable before usability was a word.Turned the chaos of employee benefits into a platform big enough for Aflac.Even saw the promise of blockchain before most people could spell it.That’s what he does: He takes complexity, makes it human, & builds businesses from the translation.Every entrepreneur faces a moment where their skills feel out of place.Rob shows us that’s not a weakness.It’s the opportunity.To learn more, connect with Rob on LinkedIn & Launch Key.Rob’s story reminds us to create bravely—to place your gifts where the map says “not here.”Or, as George Bernard Shaw put it: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

“I am staying.” – Jack BarskyThree words on a dirt road. Three words that ended one life & cemented another. Three words that turned a mission into a calling.Because by the time Moscow ordered this KGB agent home, Jack wasn’t just a spy with a cover story. He was a college valedictorian, a successful corporate executive, a father raising a little girl who’d stolen his heart.Piece by piece, he had built a life in America. Not perfect. Not easy. But real. A life that didn’t come from forged documents or coded radio signals. One built like any other—by late nights, failed ventures, second chances, & love discovered.So, when the KGB told him to run, he stayed. He chose the life he’d built over the life he’d been assigned.And that’s the real story here. Jack’s tales of espionage may make headlines, but it’s the everyday work of building something that lasts — a business, a family, a future — that defines his legacy.And it’s exactly what defines yours.To stay—to keep building, to redefine yourself again & again—that’s what sets you apart as an individual & an entrepreneur.Ready for more? Connect with him at JackBarsky.com.Jack proves what C.S. Lewis said best: “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”

“I became an American & said goodbye to them [the KGB].” – Jack BarskySounds like the opening line of a spy thriller.Except this one’s real.For a decade, Jack lived undercover in the U.S. as a KGB agent.His mission wasn’t excitement. No tuxedos. No martinis. Just the discipline to disappear — and never get caught.And he did it so well that he not only avoided capture — he built a whole new life. A college valedictorian. A corporate exec. A family man no one suspected.Until one day, the story broke on 60 Minutes.That’s when Jack faced the choice every entrepreneur knows too well:– Start over.– Reinvent yourself.– Risk failing again & again.He wrote a book that flopped until he rewrote it from scratch.He gave speeches so bad he wanted to “jump in a lake”… and kept at it until Microsoft put him on stage.He built a business that went nowhere — and had the guts to kill it when no one showed up.Every failure became fuel. Every dead end, a redirection.This isn’t just a peek into espionage. It’s a raw look at resilience, reinvention, & the grit it takes to survive when the plan collapses. Winston Churchill said it best: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Connect with him on LinkedIn

"I thought my calling was to be a Catholic priest." – Ryan Monk It wasn’t a whim. Ryan devoted years — undergrad, master’s, a year of theology in seminary — to answering what he believed was his life’s purpose.But somewhere along the way, a quiet unease began to grow. His head said priesthood but his heart whispered his gifts might belong in a different kind of service — one with a family at the center & a new way of walking alongside people in their most important moments.So, he traded vestments for brick dust, late-night restaurant shifts, & finally, law school — chasing a career that could both provide for his young family & serve others.Then 2008 hit.The economy tanked. A Big Law offer disappeared. And that mortgage, those babies… they were staring him down.Ryan took one last leap of faith — starting from a borrowed desk in a warehouse. Little by little, he built his own law firm on three values you can’t fake: humility, gratitude, & joy — the kind that shows up in grief, uncertainty, recessions, pandemics, & all the moments in between.If you’ve ever wondered whether changing course can bring you closer to your true calling…Connect at monklegal.comJoseph Campbell said it best of journeys like Ryan’s: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

“That’d be impossible… unless?” – Andrew James How do you respond when life throws a punch? If you’re like most people, when you hit a wall, you just push harder—longer hours, more stress, hoping brute force will somehow get you through. If you’re like Andrew, you stop. Take a breath. And then ask the simple question that’s carried him through every tough season: “What would have to be true for this to work?” That single question has shaped everything he’s built—taking him from a scrappy kid flipping diet plans on eBay (& later hustling affiliate offers & imported products) to the founder of Eyeball Division & Cerebro Analytics, two companies helping brands grow smarter and faster. And it’s the same mindset that’s pulled him through the messy middle: the clients ready to walk, the pivots that felt terrifying, the nights where the easy answer would’ve been to quit. If you’re ready for an episode that part wake-up call, part permission slip to do things differently: Download Andrew’s episode of the Anything But Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment) Connect at cerebroanalytics.com Andrew has built a life out of tackling challenges most people walk away from—and actually enjoys the climb. Which is why Walt Disney’s words feel spot on: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

“It’s me just wanting freedom… freedom to make my own choices & live life on my terms.” - Ron WeatherlyRon didn’t start his waterproofing company, Dry Pro Foundation and Crawlspace Specialists, with a business plan, angel investors, or even a clue how to fix a foundation. He started with a crawlspace, raw knees, whatever tools he could scrounge, & a spark of rebellion.Because he knew what he didn’t want…Another layoff. Another week waiting on a paycheck. Another life ruled by someone else’s calendar.So, he built something of his own.He gave up his salary to hire his first manager. Went back into sales when the numbers didn’t add up. Grew the business past $29 million—and walked away when the values lined up, not just the dollars.That’s not luck. That’s freedom built on purpose.Today, he’s not stuck in meetings. He’s mentoring founders, investing in people he believes in, & home by 3:30—because that’s the life his business was built to protect.If you’re growing fast but feel trapped, maybe it’s time to ask: what am I really building?Connect with him at ronweatherly.comChris Brogan said it best: “The goal isn’t more money. The goal is living life on your terms.”

"I’m not in charge… & it’s a really nice feeling.” – David AmigoMost entrepreneurs chase control.David finds peace in letting go.Because when you’ve been a factory scab at 11, a product manager slinging cookies in your 20s, & a minority owner pushed out of your own family’s business — you learn fast: control is an illusion.What isn’t?Character. Integrity. Showing up. Doing the next right thing, even when the plan falls apart.That’s where purpose is forged — not in the wins, but in the wreckage.When you dust off, serve others, & keep building anyway.That mindset built his landscaping business, G & G Landscaping, one of the most respected in the Carolinas, where ego gets weeded out & excellence takes root.There, he’s not CEO. He’s CEB: Chief Errand Boy. Clearing the path. Serving first. Doing what needs doing.Because for David, leadership isn’t about being out front — it’s about being all in.For the builders, the rebuilders, & the ones who never quite fit the mold, this episode’s your mirror.Connect at GANDGlandscape.netDavid took Albert Einstein’s charge to heart: “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.”That’s some great wisdom!

"Business… is the best way for me to reach my full potential & see who I can become." – Behdad Jamshidi (Bee)Growing up doing math drills at the kitchen table, Bee didn’t dream.Structure, discipline, grit—that was his operating system.When he became an engineer, it wasn’t out of passion. It was logic. A clear, safe path.But underneath it all?A relentless curiosity & yearning for connection were quietly simmering.So, while climbing the corporate ladder, he quietly built something else.Not because he was desperate, but because something inside him wanted more.More agency. More alignment. More room to grow into the next version of himself.What started with one website grew into a successful business built on vetting & matching top marketing talent.He built patiently, not for growth’s sake, but for his own: a business that could support him, his wife, & the life he wanted to live.This isn’t a story about going all-in.It’s a story about knowing when the time is right--& trusting you’ll be ready when it is.Learn more at cjammarketing.comWayner Dyer urged: "Don’t die with your music still in you."That’s no danger for Bee.

"Vanilla is a great flavor." – Austin Palmer Austin may have raised some eyebrows as a kid at 31 Flavors, but he’s always known one thing: flashy doesn’t equal better.So, whether he’s picking ice cream or building financial portfolios, his approach is the same:Simple. Steady. No sprinkles required.His path started predictably—son of a CPA, became a CPA, climbed the ladder at Morgan Stanley & Merrill Lynch.He never chased “fastest-growing advisor” titles. He just kept showing up, doing the right thing, & putting clients first.Then one day, he walked away from corporate comfort to become a partner at Destination Wealth—and suddenly, vanilla had a twist.Consistency? That came naturally.Entrepreneurship? That was rocky road.If you’ve ever done everything “right” & then found yourself wondering, “What else am I capable of?”—this one’s for you.It’s a story of rewiring. Of risk. Of letting go of the familiar to build something that’s yours.Because leadership doesn’t have to be loud.It just has to be real.To learn more, find him at destinationwealthadvisors.com, or reach out to him at austin.palmer@dw-advisors.comGeorge Eliot told us, "It’s never too late to be what you might have been."Austin proves it.

“I take people as a story… I can see their higher self before they can.” – Carlos Salum Carlos grew up under Argentina’s military dictatorship—surrounded by uncertainty, but also by entrepreneurs, poets, and principled people who knew how to thrive despite it.That tension didn’t crush him. It sharpened his vision—so much so that, by adulthood, traditional paths like law & medicine felt like cages, not callings.So he did what most people won’t: He bet on himself.On a handshake, he pitched a partnership to the world’s top tennis coach. No credentials. No fancy title. Just conviction.Then he flew to Germany, crashed on a friend’s couch, & hustled up a seven-city speaking tour with no internet, no safety net, & no backup plan.Eight months later, the world’s biggest sports agency called him “Houdini” as he coached legends like Agassi, Seles, & Sampras.But it was never just about tennis. It was always about helping people live with alignment, intention, and impact.Today, he brings that same fire to business owners.Ready to align with something deeper?Find him at SalumInternational.com.Joseph Campbell said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”Carlos helps people remember that.

“I want to know what I'm capable of… but I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I just want to know how far I can take it—because I want to know what my greatest potential is.” – Perry Gladstone At 8, Perry was selling comic books at flea markets. At 15, he opened a skateboard shop that pulled in $100K that summer. By 24, he launched a snowboard company in his kitchen that became Canada’s biggest—& sold it before he turned 30.But it was never about the money.For Perry, business has always been about access—to adventure, freedom, & experiences no one else would hand him. If he wanted to do something, he built a way to do it.That’s how he became a record-setting free diver, a coach to high-powered CEOs, a musician, & a master at intentional reinvention.The common thread?Radical self-awareness. He knows exactly what drives him—& he helps others find the emotional through-line that connects everything they’ve ever done.What Perry builds isn’t just business. It’s identity. It’s legacy.To learn more, find him at PerryGladstone.com.Poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “The only journey is the one within.”Perry’s been on that journey all along.

"If I can be good about business, & I can do my business well—but then also care about my people & have that noticed in the marketplace—that’s way more important to me." – Greg Lafferty At 27, Greg seemingly had it all: the pedigree, the projects, the prestige of a big job at NASA.But what he really wanted was a life of impact. So, he retired (yes, at 27!) from the confines of government & began a decades-long journey of entrepreneurship rooted in faith, grit, & people-first leadership.Years later, that same spirit would draw Christina Wright to him.A few referrals & persistent follow-ups later, she landed a meeting with Greg—who was launching a company with no name, no business plan… & no investor relations lead.She jumped in anyway.Today, this mission-minded duo is building Branch Wealth Partners—an education-driven real estate firm helping people build real wealth with wisdom, heart, & long-term vision.They’re not chasing “get rich quick.” They’re building something that lasts.To learn more, learn more at branchwealthpartners.com.It’s like Tony Hsieh said: “Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you.”

“So, it's not just about your business growth. It's also about … creating value & meaningful relationships.” – John Hall In third grade, John launched a lunch brokerage business. By college, he was building a student housing empire.And today? He’s a keynote speaker, investor, & co-founder of multiple companies — wildly different ventures but all rooted in one thing: adding value to others.He didn’t start out this way.Early in his career, he admits he was ego-driven & always worked an angle.Over time, he learned that the true measure of success isn’t power or profit. It’s the number of lives you elevate along the way.That belief shows up in everything he does, from how he hires, to who he partners with, to the companies he builds & invests in.For John, kindness is strategy. Relationships are capital. And success is leaving people better than you find them.From ego to impact, this story is about building a business that puts people first without sacrificing growth.To learn more, find him at Relevance.com & ArticleX.com.John was listening when Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

“I believe that the more my clients know I care about them, the more I can nudge them toward success.” – Natalia Worthington Natalia wasn’t supposed to be here—literally. As her parents rode a bus to make a life-altering decision, her father had a change of heart. That choice sparked a life defined by curiosity, compassion, & quiet rebellion.Born in Soviet Russia, she came of age in a system that crushed curiosity & rewarded obedience. But at home, things were different. Her father, an English professor, championed critical thinking & lifelong learning—lessons that would one day save her.Years later, as a young mom in a new country, Natalia battled isolation, depression, & weight gain.But instead of giving in, she channeled her hunger to learn & took control of her story. She healed—& then made it her mission to help others do the same.Today, Natalia helps clients thrive in six areas of deep health—from fitness to purpose. Her goal isn’t just a workout. It’s total transformation.To learn more, find her at customfitcoaching.com.Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”Natalia did just that.

“One sip of alcohol literally leads to prison...there’s nothing in between anymore.” – Robbie Shaw For years, Robbie tried to outmaneuver the consequences of addiction—until the day the truth hit him like a bus. No more negotiating, no more "just one more time." His choices were death, jail, or life. We’re so grateful he chose life. That choice set him on an unexpected path. From addiction to recovery coach, mental health advocate, & entrepreneur, he didn’t just rebuild his life—he built a business to help others share their stories. Now, as the founder of EVRYBDY Studios, he’s proving that the best way to transform pain is to turn it into purpose. Whether it’s podcasting, coaching, or even ice baths in his driveway, Robbie is all in on the power of storytelling, vulnerability, & doing hard things. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle you couldn’t break or just love stories of redemption, resilience, & redefining success on your own terms: follow him @evrybdystudios & check out his podcast Champagne Problems. It’s been said that "Your greatest test is your greatest testimony." We don’t know who said it, but Robbie proves it.

“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not doing the job correct.” – Dan Flaherty With a career that has ventured from the disciplined halls of corporate American to unconventional sales & management consulting, Dan’s story comes with a powerful lesson: Growth comes from embracing calculated risk, stepping out of our comfort zones, & learning not to do more but to do it differently. But it’s not all work & no play. This passionate family man & Hellcat racer understands that success is not just about business milestones. It’s about work-life harmony —enjoying breakfast & dinner with his kids while fueling his passion for race car driving. In a world where many cling to a scarcity mindset, Dan embraces abundance—championing collaboration, knowledge sharing, & servant leadership. Whether on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or in the living room, Dan welcomes trial & error as part of his journey. Uncomfortable? Sometimes, but this approach turns every setback into a steppingstone for growth, & that has made all the difference. Are you ready for the blueprint on building a life that’s balanced, impactful, & rewarding? Connect with him on LinkedIn. Both Dan and Dolly Parton remind us: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

“People don’t manage people. People lead people.” – Jamey BoiterGrowing up, Jamey was blessed by a father that didn’t just raise him. He led him. In doing so, he gave Jamey a blueprint for servant leadership that would shape his entire career.From an early passion for architecture to pivoting into graphic design, Jamey learned that the true essence of creativity isn’t just making things, it’s solving problems. That mindset led him to Bolt Group, where he’s spent decades helping companies like Chick-fil-A, Lowe’s, & IZOD bridge the gap between brand, product, & purpose.But he’s not just a designer. He’s a builder of businesses, leaders, & legacies. His unique approach integrates brand strategy with product innovation, turning companies into category leaders. Now, he’s doing the same for his own team, ensuring the future of Bolt Group is as bold as its past.If bold leadership, design thinking, & culture building drive you, find him at Boltgroup.comGreat design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about solving problems that matter.It’s like Steve Jobs said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."