Episodes
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
096: Launching His Childhood Dream Shoe Brand with Zach Frey
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
This is a special Anything But Typical episode! Entrepreneurship runs in the family, as we interview co-host Gary Frey's son, Zach Frey. As a child, Zach would constantly be drawing. He had a fascination with drawing and designing shoes.
This hobby turned into a career, with Frey working at brands such as Reebok, Puma, and Wolf & Shepherd. But the vision of creating a better shoe was too strong. In this episode, Zach shares his journey from the big corporations to the launching and growing of Flux Footwear. We go into what differentiates their shoes. We talk about hurdles faced. And we hear insights about branding and marketing a quickly growing company.
Check out the shoes at FluxFootwear.com and connect with Zach on LinkedIn.
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
On the surface, Jeff Conway looks like a typical successful restauranteur: passionate about food, pursuing growth, dedicated to his family and community, but certainly living on “Easy Street”.
What lies beneath, though, in an unbelievable tale: wild success followed by a false accusation & 13 months federal prison time, reflection, redemption, & ultimately rebuilding with the unwavering support of family, friends, & faith.
You can’t afford to miss this one. Jeff shares his insights from his time in public companies. He discusses his experience in prison. Jeff goes into how he rebuilt afterwards. And we go full circle into the successful restaurant businesses Conway is running today.
After listening to this episode, go follow Jeff on LinkedIn.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
094: The Impact of Free Enterprise with Emilio Guevara
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
“Just because you live in that environment doesn’t mean the environment has to live in you.”
That perspective has served this week's guest, Emilio Guevara, well.
Born to immigrant parents & growing up in one of the toughest & most devastated neighborhoods of the Bronx, Emilio’s path to success wasn’t handed to him.
Seven children, the youngest four in a one-bedroom apartment, a blind and alcoholic father, little money, tough streets. The excuses for failure were there.
But the underlying spirit in the house was one of devotion, commitment, hard work, & a “find a way” attitude that lives in Emilio today.
Emilio now leads ENYADA INC. & Capitalist Conversations promoting free enterprise through conversations & partnerships with successful entrepreneurs. His humble beginnings are never far from his mind though, & he continues to seek new opportunities, true connection, and joy in all he does.
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
093: Growing Business Through Intentional Leadership with David Zerfoss
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
David Zerfoss' first lessons came from a farm in Western Pennsylvania. When Zerfoss was tasked with being the President of Husqvarna Professional Products North America, those lessons came in handy. He built a culture of leadership, focus, and purpose. "People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves that they can be a part of." His leadership helped pave the way to a 1700% growth in sales.
Zerfoss serves business leaders at a Master Chair at Vistage Worldwide. In the episode, he talks about the benefits of surrounding yourself with like minded individuals. He speaks to the importance of constantly growing and learning. He shares many more lessons that are invaluable to business leaders.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
092: Designing Virtual Training with Vigilante CEO Chris Torchia
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Alignment and Priorities. That is how Chris Torchia wants to be known. That may explain how Chris has changed from his microbiology background to tech CEO with experiences running companies in different countries. This wide ranging conversation goes into how Torchia had his cryptocurrency mining equipment seized in Russia due to U.S. sanctions. He shares stories and lessons from his business experience in the Czech Republic. And Chris discusses the type of technology they are creating that is helping the Department of Defense train the United States military. After enjoying this episode, be sure to go follow Chris on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Kara Taddeo is not one to shy away from a challenge. In 2002, she became the General Manager of Hotel Belleclaire in New York City. To say this was a turnaround would be quite the understatement. What Kara could best describe as a "crack hotel", she turned into a 4 star hotel in uptown Manhattan. Her story of de-roaching the hotel and getting rid of squatters shows unbelievable tenacity and perseverance.
Starting a tap room and beer hall in a city with almost no craft beer scene was another challenge Kara stepped up to. Charlotte, today known for its craft beer and outdoor seating, was not that way in 2011. Kara saw the vision of what could be. They have now been running VBGB Beer Hall & Garden for over 12 years; and have added event venue The Hamilton as well. Be sure to check out VBGB and The Hamilton, and follow Kara on LinkedIn.
Wednesday May 24, 2023
090: How Roger Braswell Built His Business To A 9 Figure Exit to Home Depot
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Most entrepreneurs dream about growing their businesses, having a successful exit, taking a company public, and much more. Today's guest, Roger Braswell, has done it all. Roger was the Founder & CEO of Compact Power Equipment. In this episode, we talk about how Roger created and grew the business. He discusses the obstacles faced along the way and how that ultimately led to even greater success. Roger IPO'd Compact Power, and eventually sold to Home Depot for 9 figures.
You may think Roger sailed off in the sunset after that. Instead, we find Roger being the Owner & Chairman of The Southern Shade Tree Company, Chairman of The Integra Group, Chairman of Give Hope Global, and serving as a business advisor. Check out Give Hope Global after this episode.
Wednesday May 10, 2023
089: Part 2 with Reebok Founder Joe Foster
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
One episode was not enough to cover Reebok Founder Joe Foster's story. So here we are with Part 2. In this episode, Joe shares about Reebok's expansion from women's aerobic shoes to other sports and lines. He talks about how they had to be strategic with their expansions. Joe also shares one of his biggest business regrets.
We discuss Reebok going public and Joe's transition out of the operations of the business. Joe talks about how he began serving as an ambassador of Reebok, and how now he is a digital nomad.
Check out more about Joe HERE.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
088: Reebok Founder Joe Foster on Creating and Expanding a Global Brand
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
As a grandson of the legendary J.W. Foster growing up in Bolton, England, running seemed to be in Joe Foster’s blood.
Little did Joe know that winning an American “Webster’s New School & Office Dictionary” in a race at age seven would make a South African antelope synonymous with a multi-billion-dollar international shoe brand – Reebok.
Joe proved that while he may not have been blessed with the DNA of a world-class runner, he was blessed with the DNA of a world-class “improver,” & his book, “Shoemaker,” is an excellent testimony of that fact.
If you love shoes or, more importantly, stories of positive ripple-makers who’ve run their unique race against all odds, multiple setbacks, heartaches, & challenges, this episode is for you! Enjoy Joe's story of starting, establishing, and growing Reebok.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
As a Blackhawk helicopter pilot stationed in South Korea in the late ‘90s, Chris Videau took off for an R&R weekend with his buddies in search of a little fun and relaxation.
What he found turned out to be his life’s calling.
Instead of white sands and glistening water, the Army veteran instead found a horribly polluted beach, littered with plastic waste that had been discarded in the China Sea.
This was nothing like the beaches back home.
Chris never forgot that image or that ruined weekend, and years later in Iraq, watching tons of plastic waste literally go up in flames as U.S. troops sought to eliminate their trash, Chris’ next step became abundantly clear
He was going to dedicate the next phase of his life to eliminating plastic waste.
But how?
Where he ended up is as unexpected as his enlistment decision: the laundry detergent space, a fiercely competitive industry dominated by big brand names producing water-rich products in heavy plastic containers.
How could a 20-year Army veteran, with no marketable skills other than flying helicopters, break into such a market, let alone aim to completely transform it?
Chris did and still is with his company, Sheets Laundry Club, and its simple, effective, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to everyday laundry detergent.
If you love stories of positive ripple-makers who followed their passions and turned impossible dreams into reality (all while developing a genius new product), this episode is for you!
Check out Sheets Laundry Club to see more about what Chris and the team are doing.