Karen, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Take Care of Your People or You’re Toast E17

November 22, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Take Care of Your People or You're Toast E17

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Take Care of Your People or You’re Toast E17

From growing up in a coal mining town to growing a company with a great company culture- it was a good thing Kindra and Rick had the full hour to talk together.

The conversation was so open and honest from Rick as he talked about the ways that he has open arms towards his employees. He fully understands the way to support his people. Even when it comes to having BBQ’s and get togethers with the staff, they invite back past employees to attend as Alumni to the events.

This show is a great show to listen to for some snippets of positive thoughts and feedback for CEO’s to take care of their teams.

“Don’t under emphasize how important it is to work on and improve your people and processes. If one of those are broke then you are toast.”

Field Agent is a global Work-On-Demand Platform. Harnessing smartphones across the country, the Field Agent platform bridges the gap between brands and their customers.

Rick West has co-founded multiple start-ups, including the Northstar Partnering Group, CORE4 Research, JOYN, and most recently Field Agent.

He is a mentor and speaker within the entrepreneurial community and an active board member. He is also a member of the global Endeavor Entrepreneur network.

Rick is an 8 wing 7 and has a BBA in Personnel and Industrial Relations with a minor in Economics from the University of Kentucky.

Follow Field Agent on LinkedIn.

About Culture Crush

Culture Crush is officially relaunched! We are thankful to Debra Caron who launched and hosted the show originally. Culture Crush is back with a new host but the same focus- highlighting what makes a great company culture and how it affects the overall success of a company.

Culture is not just a tag word to be thrown around. It is not something you throw in job descriptions to draw people to applying for jobs within a company.

According to Marcus Buckingham and Ashely Goodall in their book Nine Lies About Work, “Culture is the tenants of how we behave. It’s like a family creed. This is how we operate and treat each other in the family.”

On this long form podcast we will highlight companies local to Arizona and beyond that are crushing it with great culture!

We will talk with company leaders to learn about real-life experiences, tips, and best practices for creating a healthy work environment where employees are finding joy and satisfaction in their work while also striving and growing within the company.

About the Host

Kindra Maples is your new host taking the lead on the relaunch of Culture Crush! She is spartan racer, past animal trainer, previous magician’s assistant, and has a weakness for Oreo cookie shakes. Her journey working with people actually started working with animals as a teenager (don’t worry we won’t go that far back for her bio).

She worked for over 15 years in the zoo industry working with animals and the public. Her passion of working with animals shifted into working with people in education, operations and leadership roles. From there her passion of leadership and helping people develop has continued to grow.

Then came the opportunity for relaunching the Culture Crush Podcast and she jumped on it. Leadership, growth, and strong company cultures are all areas that Kindra is interested in diving into further.

Shout Outs

We want to thank a few people for their behind the scenes effort in helping this relaunch to come to life. James Johnson with Tailored Penguin Media Company LLC.– It is a small, but powerful video production company with a goal to deliver the very best by articulating the vision of your brand in a visually creative way. Gordon Murray with Flash PhotoVideo, LLC. -Flash Gordon has been photographing since high school and evolving since then with new products that will equip, encourage, engage, and enable. Renee Blundon with Renee Blundon Design – She is not only one of the best free divers (that’s not how she helped with the podcast) but she is great with graphics design and taking the direction for the vision that you have while also adding creative ideas to bring to your vision to life.

These are just a few of the folks that supported the relaunch of the podcast. If you would like to be part of the Culture Crush team or would like to support underwriting the show- please reach out: culturecrushpodcast@gmail.com

Ashley Gagnon with Safe Decision and Paul Gulli with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Group

November 22, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Ashley Gagnon with Safe Decision and Paul Gulli with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Group

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Ashley Gagnon with Safe Decision and Paul Gulli with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Group

Safe Decision was established to raise awareness in seatbelt use and defensive driving for teens and professional drivers. Our target audience is teens and companies with a fleet whether it’s heavy equipment drivers or passenger sized vehicles.

We work with each company and format courses for all around safety on the job. When ending each presentation, we provide our seatbelt convincer which is a machine that simulates an approximate 7-8 mph collision.

It is a great educational tool for getting people of all ages to buckle up. We even use a go-pro camera for first-hand accounts of reactions if wanted by the entity we are servicing.

Ashley Gagnon has been in the law enforcement profession in the valley for 19 years and spent 6 years in the Marine Corps both active duty and reserve. During his career, he held the position of patrol officer, fulltime proficiency skills instructor at the academy, transit enforcement officer, and property crimes detective.

Ashley holds AZ POST instructorships as a general instructor, defensive tactics instructor, fitness proficiency instructor, and driving instructor. He also holds a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management Health and Wellness emphasis and also a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

Additionally, Ashley works as a contractor for Safety Research Consultants where he helps teach the defensive driving curriculum for Republic Services waste company at their different divisions throughout the United States.

On a side note, Ashley is a sports fan, and when not working he is hanging out with family and friends.

Follow Safe Decision on Facebook.

Paul Gulli, Contract Security Director with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, is a security professional who has 30 years experience in the private sector specializing in complex investigations and developing client specific security strategies for the private sector.

Predominant focus for the last 20 years has been in the retail automotive industry. Coordinating all physical security measures, conducting internal investigations, and developing business practices and procedures to eliminate loss and risk.

Exploring Military and STEM E17

November 17, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Exploring Military and STEM E17

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Exploring Military and STEM E17

In honor of Veterans Day, the November STEM Unplugged podcast features a conversation about Military & STEM. Our featured guests – Chaz, Celeste and Daniel share their personal experiences and highlight career pathways in the Navy, Army and Air Force. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are relevant in many Military Occupation Specialties (MOS) along with enhancing personal skills in leadership, communication and project management.

Arizona is home to seven different military bases, including one of the largest bases in the world – Luke Air Force Base. Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson is one of the most active while Fort Huachuca Army Base in Sierra Vista is the home to the Army Intelligence Center & Network Enterprise Technology Command. While the Navy and Coast Guard have not established any bases in Arizona for obvious reason of the lack of coasts, Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma spreads over 3000 acres. All of the bases in Arizona are quite large, around five to six thousand military personnel each and offer additional opportunities for civilian contractors and the logistics network in our state.

Listen in to meet PO1 Chaz Schrader, a Nuclear Field Coordinator with the United States Navy, share about the personal growth and success he has had after enlisting in 2013 and his assignment on the fast attack submarine USS Jefferson City (SSN-759).

Learn more about the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals for DEMA, The Department of Emergency and Military Affairs from LTC Celeste Snyder who serves as the DEI officer. DEMA consists of the Arizona National Guard (Air, Army & Joint Task Force), the Division of Emergency Management and the Division of Administrative Services to focus on merit based promotions for all career pathways in state and federal positions.

Major Daniel Romero, Director of Operations for the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron describes his pathway to STEM and how it began early in life with exposure to hands on activities. With his training and leadership skills, he is charged with leading a team of 204 personnel maintaining and sustaining 1,043 facilities, a 3.7 billion dollar infrastructure and the 1.7 million acre Barry M. Goldwater Range in support of the 171 F-35 and F-16 aircraft.

Our host, Kelly Greene had a chance to share details about her 21 year career in the United States Army. After joining at the age of 17 and serving in three combat deployments, she shares about the skills military training in logistics and human intelligence provided to find success in her current role as the Chief Operating Officer at SciTech Institute.

The Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) consists of the Arizona National Guard (Air, Army, Joint Task Force), the Division of Emergency Management and the Division of Administrative Services. DEMA provides unique capabilities and services to the citizens of Arizona in three distinct roles: community, state and federal.

Lieutenant Colonel Celeste M. Snyder is currently assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters, Arizona Air National Guard. As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officer she directs, coordinates, and oversees DEI functions for military and civil support missions through the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.

She advises staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives that apply to personnel and quality of life initiatives. Lieutenant Colonel Snyder also manages and directs the Division of Administrative Services Equal Opportunity, Equal Employment Opportunity and sexual harassment complaint programs.

Lieutenant Colonel Snyder initially enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard and served as a personnelist for eight years, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management through the University of Arizona and commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 2003 in Knoxville, TN.

Lieutenant Colonel Snyder served as the 162nd Fighter Wing, Equal Opportunity Officer for six years then became the Wing Education and Training Officer and volunteers as a member of the Air National Guard Diversity Committee.

While serving with the National Guard she also worked as an accountant for the City of Sierra Vista for 11 years and later earned her Masters in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and taught kindergarten for eight years in a low socioeconomic school district.

Lieutenant Colonel Snyder was recently selected as a Federal Technician with Division of Administrative Services as the State Equal Employment Manager and became a graduate student through Air University’s, Air Command and Staff College and Air and Space Basic Course.

Major Daniel Richard Romero is the Director of Operations for the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. He leads 204 personnel maintaining and sustaining 1,043 facilities, a 3.7 billion dollar infrastructure, and the 1.7 million acre Barry M. Goldwater Range in support of 171 F-35 and F-16 aircraft which make up the world’s largest fighter wing.

Major Romero is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and and has deployed once to Thumrait Air Base, Oman to establish an operational bare base, directly supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Major Romero’s held a number of high visibility positions as a Fighter Wing Executive officer in USAFE’s largest fighter wing, a manager for the Air Force’s Military Construction (MILCON) program, and a Deputy Director for a 2-star Commander’s Action Group at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC).

Prior to his current position, Major Romero was the Director of Staff at Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He was the principle advisor to the Commandant of Squadron Officer School and led 4 personnel in executing all Commander’s programs. Lastly, he oversaw all manpower processes, and was critical to the revamp of the entire school curriculum for 135 faculty and IDE Fellowship cycles.

Connect with Major Romero on LinkedIn.

The mission of America’s Navy is to recruit, train, equip, and organize to deliver combat ready Naval forces to win conflicts and wars while maintaining security and deterrence through sustained forward presence.

Chaz Schrader was born in Southern California where he joined the Navy in 2013. He has been active duty since then culminating in eight and a half years of active service.

After graduating from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes Illinois he went to Nuclear Field “A” School and Power in Goose Creek South Carolina to receive his training as a Nuclear Field Electronics Technician. To complete his two years of training he spent his last six months in Ballston Spa, New York at Nuclear Power Training Unit.

Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Jefferson City (SSN-759) fast attack submarine out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

After serving four and a half years on the USS Jefferson City he transferred to Phoenix, Arizona as the Nuclear Field Coordinator for all Nuclear Field applicants in the Arizona and New Mexico areas.

Follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Our Sponsor

SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival.

The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.

As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.

Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.

Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Your STEM Unplugged Host

After grow up in rural New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

She also enlisted in the United States Army and after graduating from training, Kelly traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, she fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.

In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air. During this deployment, she had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching. From 6th grade Math to 7th grade STEM, Kelly used her enthusiastic nature combined with her strong classroom management to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process!

Now, as the Chief Operating Officer at SciTech Institute, Kelly is excited to serve the communities in Arizona and beyond to share their interest in STEM!

Claire Conway is the STEM Ecosystem Programs Manager at SciTech Institute.

Connect with Claire on LinkedIn.

Bravery and Hope E7

November 16, 2021 by Karen

Mind Well

Bravery and Hope E7

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Bravery and Hope E7

On this week’s episode of Mind Well, host Michelle Jones interviews three powerful women from Dahlia’s Hope. Faith Robles shares her experience as a sex trafficking survivor and founder of this amazing organization designed to provide support and resources to survivors of human trafficking.

We also talk with founding board member Cherstyn Stockwell and current COO Cara Durfee about the extraordinary network that has been developed to provide aftercare and bring hope to sex trafficking survivors. This episode allows us to more fully understand what bravery and hope means.

Listeners who want to hear a tremendous story of hope and bravery will want to tune in to this week’s episode of Mind Well.

Dahlia’s Hope is a non-profit based in Utah that provides holistic aftercare services for survivors of sex trafficking who are ready to create a new life. Dahlia’s Hope is the first program of its kind for trafficking survivors in Utah. The primary goal of the organization is to provider aftercare services to help transition survivors into independent living and self-reliance, meeting each survivor exactly where they are in their own journey.

Dahlia’s Hope is an organization that was founded by a survivor of sex trafficking, Faith Robles. A few months before her 18th birthday, Faith escaped her trafficking situation after close to 4 years of victimization. Faith spent five years searching for the aftercare services that she needed, with very little success. She dreamed of creating one place where survivors could meet all of their healing needs. In 2019, along with our founding board members, Faith created Dahlia’s Hope, where she, as well as dozens of other survivors, have already received full, wrap-around, aftercare services.

Once a survivor of sex trafficking escapes their trafficking situation, that is just the beginning. The mission of Dahlia’s Hope is to provide outpatient therapeutic services, case management, residential support, life skills training, vocational support, and medical and dental resources to help survivors function independently and successfully into society. Dahlia’s Hope provides a multi-tiered approach to reach individuals in varying stages of recovery. They have a transitional housing program to assist survivors with their housing needs while in their program. Dahlia’s Hope also offers a therapeutic animal farm for survivors to receive animal assisted therapy and a place of solace during their healing journey.

Cara Durfee is the Chief Operating officer for Dahlia’s Hope and is a licensed Clinical Mental Counselor. Cara Durfee has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and professional experience in both mental healthcare operations and administration.

Cara has served as a manager of a Telecrisis Team, Clinical Program Manager, and Clinical Director at previous employment prior to stepping into her role as COO for Dahlia’s Hope. As a clinical therapist and health care administrator, Cara finds deep meaning in improving the lives of trauma survivors.

Cara has made a career out of helping people. Cara became passionate about the global human trafficking crisis in 2020. The opportunities and extensive services available to survivors at Dahlia’s Hope led Cara to join the Dahlia’s Hope team at the start of 2021.

Cherstyn Stockwell and her husband, Matt Stockwell, are founding board members for Dahlia’s Hope. They are the parents of six wonderful kids and they include their family in serving with Dahlia’s Hope.

After graduating from BYU, Cherstyn worked in Washington, DC for ten years, working or members of both the House and the Senate.

Her experience then led her to a Political Action Committee (PAC) in CA and another in Salt Lake City, UT.

She has worked with several nonprofits as Partner and Government Relations Manager as well as Director of Development, now giving her experience to Dahlia’s Hope as the board member over development and donor relations.

Faith Robles is the founding survivor of Dahlia’s Hope. As a young teen, Faith was trafficked from her country to a large US city and forced into sex trafficking. In a moment of bravery, just before she turned 18 years old, Faith escaped her traffickers and began to rebuild her life.

Faith has advocated for other sex trafficking survivors and their needs since she escaped her traffickers. Faith also advocates with ECPAT, shares her story as a public speaker, and creates artwork through various mediums depicting her journey of living through sex trafficking, finding freedom and healing, and creating opportunities for other survivors to heal and receive the resources they need.

Follow Dahlia’s Hope on Facebook.

About Mind Well

Mind Well radio show and podcast is all about connecting with wellness professionals and individuals with unique perspectives about developing wholeness and well being.

We recognize that every individual has the ability to connect to wholeness.

About Our Host

Michelle Jones is the President and Co-Founder of Trauma Integration, LLC.

Michelle is an educator and Certified Trauma Integration Practitioner. She loves truly connecting with people.

Michelle firmly believes in the inherent resiliency within each of us and loves uncovering the light and strength in the people she meets.

About Our Sponsor

Mind Well is sponsored by Trauma Integration LLC. Trauma Integration is an educational company that is passionate about helping people understand their own response to trauma.

We provide resources to individuals and train practitioners to guide clients to mindfully integrate their trauma response and find wholeness within. You can find us at www.integratetrauma.com.

Follow Trauma Integration on Facebook and Instagram.

Ann Cvelich with Salt River Marriott and Travis Gepson with Rocky Mountain Restoration E27

November 13, 2021 by Karen

Ann-Cvelich-with-Salt-River-Marriott-and-Travis-Gepson-with-Rocky-Mountain-Restoration-feature

Phoenix Business Radio

Ann Cvelich with Salt River Marriott and Travis Gepson with Rocky Mountain Restoration E27

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Ann Cvelich with Salt River Marriott and Travis Gepson with Rocky Mountain Restoration E27

These culturally rich hotels (Salt River Marriott’s – Courtyard & Residence Inn), located on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in the Talking Stick Entertainment District, offer unique décor and a culture that embodies the spirit of gathering – perfect for your next meeting or networking event.

Featuring 8,200 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space with complimentary Wi-Fi and state of the art audio visual equipment available. Seasoned event professionals partner with you to ensure productive meetings and memorable celebrations with delicious food and refreshing beverage options created by their Chef.

After a wonderful night’s sleep guests can start the morning with a Starbucks and delicious breakfast sandwich in the Bistro, then relax at our resort style pool and courtyard area. When it’s time for dinner and Happy Hour the Bistro and Agave Lounge offer live music for a wonderful evening experience.

This central location offers attendees a convenient commute with easy access off of the Loop 101 within reach of Scottsdale’s finest attractions, shopping and dining.

Ann Cvelich began her career with Marriott in 1981 at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn as a Good Morning Girl in the Navajo Room. She moved to the Scottsdale Marriott Suites in 1990 before crossing brands into SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites and Courtyard.

Ann landed her first General Manager position at the SpringHill Suites Tempe and then promoted to Dual General Manager for the SpringHill and TownePlace Suites in Tempe. In 2002, Ann accepted the General Manager at the Scottsdale Old Town Courtyard where she worked for 12 years.

In 2014 Ann moved to the beautiful Scottsdale Salt River Courtyard where she has led the hotel to Platinum Guest Satisfaction (top 5% of the brand worldwide) for the past 4 years. In 2019 Ann accepted the position of Dual General Manager of the Award winning Scottsdale Salt River Courtyard and the soon to be opened Residence Inn Salt River.

Over the years Ann has accumulated several inspiring achievements: Owner Relations Awards, GM Sales Excellence Awards, Western Region General Manager of the Year and most recently she was honored with teh iconic Craig Lambert Culture award for the entire Courtyard brand worldwide.

Ann and her husband, Tom, have been married for 29 years and have three beautiful daughters – Brittany who lives in Colorado, Caitlyn who has followed in her Marriott footsteps and is a Chief Engineer at the Scottsdale Old Town Courtyard and Danielle who is an RN. They all love spending time together along with Ann’s Dad (Bob) and brother (Rob) vacationing in Hawaii. Ann is a native New Yorker and a die-hard NY Giants and NY Yankees fan.

Connect with Ann on LinkedIn.

Travis Gepson
Business Development Director
Rocky Mountain Restoration.

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership
development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

What’s Your Why? E80

November 11, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

What's Your Why? E80

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What’s Your Why? E80

In this episode, host Austin Peterson and guest host, Ryan Weissmueller interview David Kotter, CEO/President of Integrity Capital LLC.

David Kotter covers topics about failure, acceptance and reality within a work setting and the benefits of each in order to be successful.

Listen in to hear about the 3 P’s, managing priorities not time, and the importance of saying “NO”.

Find out more about Integrity Capital’s recent additions to the company such as H3 Phoenix and Hope From Fear.

Integrity Capital is a proactive national commercial mortgage finance company focusing on multifamily, self storage, industrial and single tenant triple net properties.

David Kotter is the CEO/President of Integrity Capital, LLC since 2003. His Company focuses on proactive commercial mortgage services for clients throughout the United States. Loan parameters are 5 to 100 million and they have funded over 800 Million to date.

David is a husband of Jill, a father of 2 children, a member/founder of H3 Phoenix, ambassador for The Phoenix Rescue Mission, Elder at Scottsdale Bible Church and an advocate of the poor and disenfranchised.

He won 4 out of 5 national championships for Rugby and played in New Zealand/Australia. David is an Eagle Scout, loves to hike and is a huge fan of Chris Botti.

Connect with David on LinkedIn.

Successful businesses face new challenges as they evolve over time. Fintrepid Solutions exists to help its clients navigate those challenges, providing clarity and confidence so they can become more sustainable, more profitable and more valuable.

Having supported nearly 100 clients since its founding in 2016 the Fintrepid Solutions team delivers customized solutions for each client, combining both strategy and execution to achieve business goals.

For its efforts partnering with businesses seeking to buy and sell, Fintrepid Solutions received the 2020 M&A Firm of the Year for the Southwestern US by Acquisition International.

After serving in C-level finance and operational roles for multiple entrepreneurial companies, Ryan Weissmueller realized his dream to serve the entrepreneurial community even further by founding Fintrepid Solutions.

Using nearly two decades of experience with the creation, growth and ongoing support of small and midsize businesses, Ryan has developed a rich skill set in delivering customized, nimble solutions to support leadership teams and their companies as they face new challenges at various stages over time.

Follow Fintrepid Solutions on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Show

Tycoons of Small Biz spotlights the true backbone of the American economy, the true tycoons of business in America… the owners, founders and CEO’s of small businesses. Join hosts, Austin L Peterson, Landon Mance and the featured tycoons LIVE every Tuesday at 1 pm, right here on Business RadioX and your favorite podcast platform.

About Your Hosts

Austin Peterson is a Comprehensive Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners in Scottsdale, AZ. Austin is a registered rep and investment advisor representative with Lincoln Financial Advisors. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial Advisors, Austin worked in a variety of roles in the financial services industry.

He began his career in financial services in the year 2000 as a personal financial advisor with Independent Capital Management in Santa Ana, CA. Austin then joined Pacific Life Insurance Company as an internal wholesaler for their variable annuity and mutual fund products. After Pacific Life, Austin formed his own financial planning company in Southern California that he built and ran for 6 years and eventually sold when he moved his family to Salt Lake City to pursue his MBA.

After he completed his MBA, Austin joined Crump Life Insurance where he filled a couple of different sales roles and eventually a management role throughout the five years he was with Crump. Most recently before joining Lincoln Financial Advisors in February 2015, Austin spent 2 years as a life insurance field wholesaler with Symetra Life Insurance Company. Austin is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and Chartered Life Underwriter. In 2021, Austin became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses.

Austin and his wife of 23 years, Robin, have two children, AJ (21) and Ella (18) and they reside in Gilbert, Arizona. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in French and of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management with a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in sales and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Landon Mance is a Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He rebranded his practice in 2020 to focus on serving small business owners after operating as Mance Wealth Management since 2015 when Landon broke off from a major bank and started his own “shop.”

Landon comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs and has a passion and excitement for serving the business community. This passion is what brought about the growth of Backbone Planning Partners to help business owners and their families. At Backbone Planning, we believe small business owners’ personal and business goals are intertwined, so we work with our clients to design a financial plan to support all aspects of their lives.

In 2019, Landon obtained the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation through the Exit Planning Institute. With this certification, Backbone Planning Partners assists business owners through an ownership transition while focusing on a positive outcome for their employees and meeting the business owner’s goals. Landon is also a member of the Business Intelligence Institute (BII) which is a collaborative group that shares tools, resources and personnel, and offers advanced level training and technical support to specifically serve business owners. In 2021, Landon became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses by counseling owners about exit options, estimating the value of the business, preparing the business for exit and tax considerations.

Landon enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, stepson, and new baby twins. He grew up in sunny San Diego and loves visiting his family, playing a round of golf with friends, and many other outdoor activities. Landon tries to make a difference in the lives of children in Las Vegas as a part of the leadership team for a local non-profit. He regularly visits the children that we work with to remind himself of why it’s so important to, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Landon received his B.S. from California State University Long Beach in business marketing and gets the rest of his education through the school of hard knocks via his business owner clients.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

Austin Peterson and Landon Mance are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Backbone Planning Partners is a marketing name for registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors. CRN-3901644-110421

Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

The content presented is for informational and educational purposes. The information covered and posted are views and opinions of the guests and not necessarily those of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Business RadioX® is a separate entity not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

E90 Citizen Development with Matt and Mario

November 9, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

E90 Citizen Development with Matt and Mario

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E90 Citizen Development with Matt and Mario

In this episode of Project Management Office Hours Matt Hubbard and Mario H Trentim join Joe Pusz – PMO Joe to have an in-depth discussion about the Citizen Developer program.

Matt Hubbard works to bring citizen development programs to organizations using his 20+ years of operational excellence experience. The core of Matt’s success is his belief that process, technology, and people must be optimized together to achieve a lasting result.

“Generically, citizen development is when you empower business people who are not trained coders to solve business problems through the use of low-code/no-code tools, which are tools that basically assemble apps, instead of coding apps. You are dragging and dropping existing elements to assemble the app.” -Matt Hubbard

Mario Trentim is currently Citizen Developer at PMI.org, founder at TRENTIM.com, and Board Member at PMOGA.world. Mario is and Engineer with +15 years of experience managing global projects and implementing Project Management Offices in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

“The development for project managers, is not just to build the finance applications or sales applications, it’s also expanding our boundaries outside technical projects to events, to human resource projects, finance projects, marketing projects, and more. When we think about citizen development, an agilest, business analyst, project manager, PMO manager, will be ten times more effective.” -Mario Trentim

Thank you to THE PMO SQUAD and The PMO Leader for sponsoring this show.

Learn more about, Project Management with a Purpose. The PMO Squad helps you navigate your Project Management Journey.

Learn more about The PMO Squad – www.thepmosquad.com

Where do PMO Leaders go for Information, Learning, Networking and Services? The PMO Leader community has “Everything You Need to Become a Great PMO Leader”. One PMO World, One Community!

Learn more about The PMO Leader – www.thepmoleader.com

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the World’s Leading Project Management Organization.

Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, we work to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for the Project Economy: the coming economy in which work, and individuals, are organized around projects.

Mario Trentim is currently Citizen Developer at PMI.org, founder at TRENTIM.com, and Board Member at PMOGA.world.

Mario is and Engineer with +15 years of experience managing global projects and implementing Project Management Offices in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

Recipient of the 2014 PMIEF Harold Kerzner, 2017-2022 Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Regional Director.

Connect with Mario on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.

TrackVia offers the fastest app-building platform for anyone looking for a better way to work. TrackVia gives business people and IT experts the ability to easily build and integrate apps to track, manage, and automate processes in days, not weeks.

People from Volcafe, Honeywell, and Rad Power Bikes have made lasting and substantial improvements to their business using TrackVia’s bullet-proof cloud-based technology — and they love getting the industry’s best customer experience every step of the way.

As the Head of Operational Excellence at TrackVia, Matt Hubbard works to bring citizen development programs to organizations using his 20+ years of operational excellence experience.

Prior to joining TrackVia, Matt co-founded his own consulting firm specializing in business process management and low-code technology.

The core of Matt’s success is his belief that process, technology, and people must be optimized together to achieve a lasting result.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn and follow TrackVia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

Project Management Office Hours is intended to provide Project Management professionals a place to drop in and discuss Success Stories, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned. Project Management Consultant Joy Gumz has shared with us, “Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides the light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”

Each of us has a unique story to tell, but collectively we share a message that organizations who embrace Project Management Best Practices perform better than those which don’t. Organizations which align Projects to Strategy perform better. Organizations with Engage Executive Sponsors deliver better results. Organizations which measure Project Management performance outperform those which don’t.

During our Project Management Office Hours, we hear directly from Industry leaders how to make an impact in our profession. How we, collectively, will Advance Project Management Best Practices, One Listener at a time!

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Joe Pusz started THE PMO SQUAD to bring real world PMO Leadership experience to the consulting space and to advocate for Project Management through his blog PMOJOE.com. The old saying is “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Following this mindset Joe left Corporate America in 2013 to start THE PMO SQUAD and work with fellow Natural Born Project Managers to advance Project Management Best Practices.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

THE PMO SQUAD focuses exclusively on PMO and Project Management consulting. Corporate America is full of Accidental Project Managers running projects who haven’t been trained to be PMs. To help solve this problem THE PMO SQUAD is on the Leading Edge with PMO As a Service. PMO As a Service allows our clients to focus on their respective core competencies while THE PMO SQUAD delivers Project Management expertise. Contact Joe at 678-591-7868. Follow The PMO Squad on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Where do PMO Leaders go for Information, Learning, Networking and Services? The PMO Leader community has “Everything You Need to Become a Great PMO Leader”. One PMO World, One Community! Learn more about The PMO Leader – www.thepmoleader.com

Always Learning Always Teaching with Don Richardson E3

November 8, 2021 by Karen

Always Learning / Always Teaching

Always Learning Always Teaching with Don Richardson E3

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Always Learning Always Teaching with Don Richardson E3

Kyle McIntosh (Mac) and Scott McIntosh welcome Don Richardson, Founder of Arizona Fireplaces and AF Steel Distributors, as he discusses his greater purpose for his businesses: passion and striving for excellence. And how tough love is the foundation of success.

From a garage business to over 300 employees, Arizona Fireplaces is creating long-term win-wins across the Valley, New Mexico, and Southern California. Don discusses his business philosophy of earning money as a result of doing good things.

Arizona Fireplaces/AF distributors and AF Steel Fabricators are a Phoenix based, locally owned family business started over 40 years ago. They still use the original Corporate name of Arizona Fasteners Corp, but are currently known more by these two distinct Divisions.

Debbie and Don started Arizona Fasteners Corp out of their garage in May of 1980. It has now grown to over 300 employees and ranked #15 Largest Family Owned business in 2020 by the Phoenix Business Journal.

Arizona Fireplaces supplies and installs fireplaces, fire features and BBQ equipment to the local home builders and consumers. AF Distributors is the 2-step wholesale division that supplies other fireplace companies throughout the Southwest U.S

AF Steel Fabricators is a completely separate business that fabricates and installs structural steel for the commercial construction market specializing in the large distribution warehouses being built throughout the valley of the Sun. They recently built and moved into a new manufacturing facility off of the I-10 and Wild Horse Pass on the Gila River Indian Reservation. You might notice this building as you come into Phoenix from the south by seeing an LED lit large 10″ X 20″ American Flag up high, attached to the south end on their building.

Don Richardson, 66, has been married to Debbie for 42 years and they have two sons, Keith 36 and Kris, 35, who both run separate parts of the business.

Don is a 1977 Graduate of California Lutheran College in Thousand Oaks, California with a Bachelor of Science in Business.

Follow Arizona Fireplaces on Facebook.

About Always Learning / Always Teaching

How do you successfully combine the heart of a non-profit with the horsepower of a for-profit, while building a long-term financially-successful business that positively benefits the lives of each of your many stakeholders?

Join Kyle & Scott McIntosh the third Wednesday of each month at 1pm as they do a deeper dive into one of the MAC6 company values, “Always Learning / Always Teaching” and how that manifests in stories of Business As A Force For Good, In Action.

In each episode, we interview business leaders with a unique approach to business that incorporates long term win-wins for all of their various stakeholders.

In the telling of their stories, we invite the audience to learn from these pillars of our communities and create actionable plans to then incorporate into your own lives and businesses.

About Your Co-Hosts

With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.

Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6. Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space. The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Scott McIntosh Co-Founded MAC6 with his son Kyle in 2011 after he grew and sold a $50M (annual revenue) mining engineering business.

After six years of working operationally in the business, Scott now sits on the ownership team and works strategically with the invested company portfolio, utilizing EOS® to strengthen the leadership teams.

To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

About Our Sponsor

MAC⁶ offers flexible spaces and programs to help your team grow, and a community of thriving businesses, just like yours. Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, MAC6 is Accelerating the shift to Conscious Capitalism (where Purpose and Profit Unite) through Creativity, Collaboration, Community and Change.

Lifestyle Concept E79

November 4, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Lifestyle Concept E79

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Lifestyle Concept E79

In this episode, hosts Austin Peterson and Landon Mance welcome guest Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Digital Marketing.

Neil has been launching, operating, and growing private label e-commerce businesses for the last 9 years. As of today, he and his clients have sold over $100 million+ in physical products primarily through the Amazon FBA sales channel.

Tune in to here an in depth conversation about how Amazon works from the inside out and how Neil and Voltage Digital Marketing has helped companies market their products successfully. Neil gives specific algorithms when marketing on Amazon that can benefit your company/product.

Within minutes of listening to this interview it’s evident why Neil’s clients are successful and trust his guidance. He is very knowledgeable and informative and the excitement in his voice for this topic is fun to listen to.

Voltage launches, operates, scales and acquires / exits e-commerce businesses with a focus on the Amazon FBA channel.

By working with their clients to build businesses with the end in mind, Voltage helps entrepreneurs and business builders focus on only the right revenue generating activities, under a franchise like relationship with their clients.

This skin in the game model, allows their clients with no e-commerce experience, build, grow and exit their brands without the franchise fees or ownership requirements.

In 12 to 18 months Voltage clients are able to successfully make their businesses passive, while prepping the business for 6, 7 even 8 figure paydays when they exit the company.

Neil Twa is the founder and CEO of Voltage Digital Marketing. He has been launching, operating, and growing private label e-commerce businesses for the last 9 years.

As of today, he and his clients have sold over $100 million+ in physical products primarily through the Amazon FBA sales channel.

Neil shares his blueprint for how to build an online business that can generate a passive six-figure income in just 12 months, while setting up the business for potentially millions in sales within 18 months.

Connect with Neil on LinkedIn and Instagram and follow Voltage on Facebook.

About the Show

About Your Hosts

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Landon received his B.S. from California State University Long Beach in business marketing and gets the rest of his education through the school of hard knocks via his business owner clients.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

Business RadioX® is a separate entity not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.