Anything But Typical

076: From College Tennis to Global Marketing with Jack Burke

Jack Burke is the CEO & Chief Visionary Officer at BRK Global Marketing. He’s been running the business for almost 32 years. In addition, Jack is the Founder and President of A Big Heart Foundation. Yet, it all started with a $3,000 limit Sears credit card. From his days playing Division 1 Tennis, Jack learned to keep a tight schedule, balance multiple responsibilities, and master his time management. Jack also posed the question: When you lose the first set, how do you walk of the court a winner?

Jack has taken this mentality to flourish in the world of business and entrepreneurship. Seeing his father be self employed, Burke began his entrepreneurial journey shoveling driveways, cutting lawns, and stringing tennis rackets as a kid. He began a t shirt company is college. Follow along this episode to hear the rest of his journey and share in the lessons he learned along the way.

075: Lifelong Entrepreneur & LinkedIn Influencer Steve Wohlenhaus

When Steve Wohlenhaus was in his early 20's, he started Weatherology. He has run the business for over 35 years. In this episode, Steve discusses working an unpaid internship for 2 years to learn from a mentor. He maintained his priorities and refused to give up his workouts, even when that meant 2:00AM wake ups to get a run in before working. 

Today, in addition to running the business, Steve is an author, speaker, podcast host, and LinkedIn influencer. He has shifted some of his time to help others find joy and fulfillment in their lives. Steve spends 6 hours a day on self care, reads 60-70 books each year, focuses on getting the greatest amount of life satisfaction.

Check out Steve's podcast, Anatomy of Success, on every podcast platform. Follow him on LinkedIn.

074: Quality Work, Community Impact, and Vision Boards with Jim & Sandy Forbes

Jim & Sandy Forbes, owners of Rinnovare Inc, have been running businesses since 1989. From trying to make a living with their first business to trying to make a positive impact today, the Forbes' entrepreneurial path is filled with stories and lessons.

Jim and Sandy discuss how they now use vision boards to increase their focus and accomplishments of their goals. They go into their differentiators and how they stand out in their industry. Sandy describes their process of disappearing for a few days at the end of the year to plan out the next. Jim shares some of their favorite business books, including The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. 

Check out Rinnovare to learn more about how Jim & Sandy run their business.

073: Speaking & Connecting with Brian Parsley

Brian Parsley is a keynote speaker, Managing Partner of The Constance Group, and an Angel Investor. In our episode, we talk about how Brian figured out his first entrepreneurial endeavor in 5th grade. We discuss how speaking engagements and content have led to business. Brian shares how he struggles with and overcomes imposter syndrome.

This episode is the perfect example of how we all deal with similar hurdles throughout our business careers. Brian does a phenomenal job articulating these points and how they come up in his life.

Be sure to check out Brian's Site and find him on your favorite social media platform @BrianParsleySpeaker.

072:Creating Positive Impact Through Business with Liz Ward

How do you balance running a profitable business and impacting the world? Enter Liz Ward. Liz is the founder of Give Impact- an advisory services firm focused on affordable housing and upward mobility solutions. Companies have capital or resources and a desire to impact their communities. But nobody was out there to support or help them put those resources to good use. Liz and her team help businesses navigate the complexities of affordable housing to use those resources to support the communities these business owners are passionate about.

Liz talks about why she didn't go the nonprofit route. She shares how she's shaping working for give impact to be a journey and experience. We discuss putting up boundaries in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not burn yourself out. And we go well into how business leaders can help change their cities or communities. This conversation will get you thinking about how you can use your lot in life to make positive changes around you.

Follow Liz on LinkedIn and check out Give Impact.

071: Networking & Mergers and Acquisitions with Torrey Wood

Torrey Wood, Founder & CEO of M&A Financing Services, finishes the podcast talking about making it easy to prioritize what's most important in your life. Whether it's family and faith in Torrey's case, or whatever it may be for you, prioritization is a key theme in this episode.

Torrey learned early on in his career not to listen to other people. He believed in his vision and set out to achieve it despite those doubting him. Part of how Torrey had success was through building an elite network. Yet, his style of networking isn't the transactional manner you associate with the word. Torrey Wood has build his network through authenticity, generosity, and providing value to others without expectation of reciprocity. 

Enjoy this episode to learn more about how you can do well while doing well for others. Connect with Torrey on LinkedIn and check out M&A Financing Services.

070: Solving Big Problems & Having Purpose with Greg Artzt

Greg Artzt grew up around entrepreneurs. So it will come as no surprise to hear that early in his career, Greg left being a trader at a hedge fund to start his own business. After the Sandy Hook school shooting, Greg and the other founders of PunchAlert came together to create a solution that would save lives during active shootings and other emergencies. 

In this episode, Greg talks about the evolution of PunchAlert. He discusses having the purpose behind the brand. This being recorded shortly after the Uvalde school shooting in Texas, Greg walks us through exactly how their system would have came into play in that scenario. 

Enjoy an episode filled with lessons you can carry over into your business. Be sure to check out PunchAlert and connect with Greg on LinkedIn.

069: Father-Son Duo with Joe & Sean Farrell

Joe Farrell has owned Quality Data Systems, a cash automation company, for over 39 years. Now Sean is CEO. In our conversation, we discuss the dynamics of Sean coming into the business after playing professional baseball. Joe shares his background and how QDS was founded. Sean talks about the awkward size of a company with 85 employees that's leaving the small business arena and moving up to a medium sized business.

Both discuss building and maintaining the culture in a growing company. How transparency with employees leads to loyalty and empowerment. Joe talks about the creation of Lionheart Charities and how they are positively impacting their communities.

Be sure to check out Quality Data Systems, and connect with Joe and Sean on LinkedIn.

068: Taking Over A Family Business with Roddey Player

Roddey Player worked in his father's business as a kid. As a young professional, he moved into the business full time. Roddey then proceeded to work up the company, before taking over as CEO 14 years ago. In this episode, Player shares the insight of growing up in a family business. 

Today, Queen City Audio Video & Appliances is a flourishing retail business. We dive into the difficulties and evolution of retail businesses. We go into leadership styles and decision making. Player shares what he learned in his early years of the business that helped shape how he acts as CEO. Player talks about how the customers, suppliers, and people are the 3 legs of the stool in his business.

Check out Queen City Audio Video & Appliances and connect with Roddey on LinkedIn.

067: Running A Global Organization with Andy Hilliard

Andy Hilliard, CEO at Accelerance, was in a banking career that was draining his energy. On a cross country skiing trip, Hilliard decided to leave banking to join the Peace Corps. It was in there Peace Corps where he saw first hand how different cultures achieve happiness, as well as business development mistakes and opportunities he could apply to his future.

Today, Hilliard runs a global organization that helps companies find the right outsourcing partners. Hilliard works with businesses in countries throughout the world, where he blends cultures today and enhances everybody's experience. He also takes what he learns with interactions throughout the world to differentiate Accelerance. 

Check out Andy's book Outsource or Else, and connect with him on LinkedIn.