Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice (general)

David Barnett is a business brokerage expert who works with entrepreneurs worldwide to help them buy, sell, and organize their small and medium-sized businesses. He is also a speaker and educator. David is the author of several books including Invest Local: A Guide to Superior Investment Returns in Your Own Community, Credit Card Advantage: Understand the Costs and Benefits to Your Business, Franchise Warnings: What You Really Need to Know Before You Buy, and How to Sell My Own Business. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by David Barnett, an author and speaker, to discuss best practices for buying and selling businesses. They talk about how David started his business brokerage company, tips to structure a win-win business sale, and how creating online content helps build trust.


Rick Girard is the Founder and CEO of Intertru, a platform that helps entrepreneurs and startup founders eliminate bad interviews by building a value-driven interview process that produces concrete evidence to support every hiring decision. He is also the Creator of HireOS, a hiring operating system, and the Founder and CEO of Stride Search, an engaged search firm.

Rick has over 20 years of experience in the hiring and recruiting industry. He is the author of Healing Career Wounds: Your Start-up’s Secret Weapon to Attract, Hire, and Retain Ridiculously Successful People, and the host of Hire Power Radio.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Rick Girard, the Founder and CEO of Intertru, to talk about value-based hiring. They discuss strategies for recruiting top performers, how to integrate core values in the hiring process, and how Rick's AI-powered hiring platform works. Stay tuned.


Gabriel Levine is an Attorney and Principal at Matchstick Legal, a firm that works with leading agencies, studios, and professionals across creative and technical disciplines looking to tackle business challenges, solve problems, and just get better. Gabriel has had a long career in the legal world. His practical approach to resolving difficult negotiations and disputes has brought consistent praise from both his clients and peers. Before Matchstick, Gabriel ran his own firm, Groundwork Legal, and was a partner and an associate at three different business-focused law firms in the Bay Area.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Gabriel Levine, an Attorney and Principal at Matchstick Legal, about his entry into the legal space and how he started his own business. They also discuss the evolution of the legal profession, the challenges of practicing law nationally and internationally, and Gabriel's experience as a cab driver.


Shaheen Samavati is the Co-founder and CEO of VeraContent, an agency that manages global social media and content marketing channels for international brands. VeraContent works with over 200 freelance and full-time employees worldwide to generate content in multiple languages.

Shaheen started her career as a journalist in the US before moving to Spain in 2010 where she completed an MBA at IE Business School, worked in corporate communication, and formed part of the founding team of a real estate startup before launching VeraContent in 2016.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Shaheen Samavati, the Co-founder and CEO of VeraContent, about how she became a writer and transitioned to entrepreneurship. Shaheen also talks about the lessons learned being part of the founding team at Spotahome and her strategies for hiring and managing over 200 employees.


Michelle Mundy is the Founder of Onpar, a startup agency focused on solving business operational challenges within the end-to-end creative and technical production process. Onpar helps standardize the way agencies operate through process implementation and delegation. Michelle is also the Founder of Solo Entrepreneur, an organization dedicated to helping business owners kickstart, grow, and operate their businesses through community.

Michelle Mundy, the Founder of Onpar, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about standardizing business processes for the creative services industry. Michelle shares her experience being a wedding photographer's assistant, the lessons learned working at Intel Corporation and Left Field Labs, and why she started a community for solo entrepreneurs. Stay tuned.


Rich Walker is the Co-founder and CEO of Quik!, also known as Quik! Forms, which is a company that provides forms automation and management solutions for companies looking to maximize efficiency and productivity. Prior to starting Quik!, Rich was a financial advisor with a financial network and a business consultant with Arthur Andersen. He started Quik! in 2002 to help people spend less time on paperwork and more time on what they do best. Rich has started 10 different companies since the age of 12 and authored two books. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Rich Walker, the Co-founder and CEO of Quik!, about his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned from running a business with his mentor. Rich also talks about his experience working at Arthur Andersen and the challenges he faced building his software company.


Avi Staiman is the Founder and CEO of Academic Language Experts (ALE), a company that assists academic scholars to prepare their research for publication. ALE works with top academic language and publication experts from around the world who help academics with their articles, lectures, and books.

Avi is also the co-host of the New Books Network ‘Scholarly Communication’ podcast and has been a guest lecturer at NYU's Master's Program in Translation and Interpreting, The University of Tokyo, and Bar-Ilan University. His essays have appeared in the Cambridge University Press blog, Scholarly Kitchen, Multilingual, and Times Higher Education. Avi is also a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization Israel chapter.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Avi Staiman, the Founder and CEO of Academic Language Experts (ALE), about his experience building an academic translation company. Avi talks about the challenges he faced early in his business, his diversification strategy, and how he has been growing his team.


Matthew Willman is a South African-based photographer. He trained as a ballet dancer and later turned that career into photography. He is also the author of Tripping Over Presidents and Stepping Away. Matthew has worked with Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, US and African Presidents, and has been commissioned to work with various world leaders including former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu, and 12 Nobel Peace Prize laureates. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Matthew Willman, a South African-based photographer and author, about his experience meeting and working with Nelson Mandela. Matthew also shares his experience living on Robben Island, South Africa, his most memorable moments with world leaders, and his photography career highlights.


Kevin Tacher is the Founder and CEO of Independence Title, a title insurance company. Also known as the “Title King,” Kevin has been featured in various media outlets including Fox News and NBC. He is a three-time best-selling author and national real estate speaker. He has shared the stage with some of the country's best real estate and motivational speakers and has worked closely with the FBI, Florida's Attorney General, and local, state, and federal agencies to uncover real estate fraud across Florida. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Kevin Tacher, the Founder and CEO of Independence Title, about his experience as a firefighter and his work uncovering real estate fraud. They also discuss Kevin's strategies for marketing his business and how he kept his company going during the 2008 economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.


Richard Carthon is the CEO and host of Crypto Current, an educational platform about cryptocurrency and blockchain. They create content that impacts thousands of people through its daily newsletter, podcast, blog, and social media. Richard is also a Managing Partner at Crescent City Capital and Acacia Digital, a cryptocurrency hedge fund and venture fund respectively. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Richard Carthon, the CEO and host of Crypto Current, about investing in a crypto bear market. They discuss how cryptocurrencies build generational wealth and promote transfer of wealth among countries, share tips on crypto market trading, and define non-fundable tokens (NFTs) and Web3s. Stay tuned.


Cindy Norcott is the Owner of Pro Talent, a multiple award-winning recruitment agency. She started the business about 30 years ago in Durban, South Africa. Cindy is also the Founder of the Robin Hood Foundation, a motivational speaker, and the author of How To Be Unstoppable and Achieve More in Business and Life.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Cindy Norcott, the Owner of Pro Talent, about her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she faced building her company. Cindy shares tips for preventing employee poaching, taking a work sabbatical, and thriving in spite of changes in legislation.


Dave Selinger is the Co-founder and CEO of Deep Sentinel, an AI-based home protection technology. He was an early employee at Amazon where he worked directly under Jeff Bezos before pursuing entrepreneurship. Dave co-invented Amazon Advertising, now a billion-dollar division within Amazon. He also co-founded and ran Redfin, now a multi-billion dollar real estate brokerage.  In addition, he revolutionized shopping experiences for Macy's and Office Depot with his company RichRelevance. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Dave Selinger, the Co-founder and CEO of Deep Sentinel, about his experience working with Jeff Bezos and the entrepreneurial lessons he has learned over the years. They also discuss the value of understanding customer behavior, the challenges Dave faced building his companies, and his tips for balancing family with work. Stay tuned for more.


Saahil Mehta is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and mountaineer. He works as a leadership coach focused on guiding leaders to navigate their health, wealth, and relationships. He is the Co-founder of ResNet World and Managing Director of Saahil DMCC, a diamond trading company. Saahil has also climbed some of the world's tallest mountains.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Saahil Mehta, an entrepreneur and leadership coach. They discuss the challenges of working in a family business, how Saahil's business was impacted by the 2008 economic downturn, and how Saahil transformed his life.


Rich O'Neill is the Founder of Fleming Project Management, a real estate firm based in Philadelphia that serves the surrounding counties. He helps investors create wealth by managing their investment projects so they can focus on the most crucial activities in their business. Rich is also the Owner of Fleming Properties where he buys, renovates, and rents single-family and small multi-family properties.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Rich O'Neill, the Founder of Fleming Project Management, to talk about the lessons Rich learned from his father and his father-in-law. Rich also explains how he overcame various adversities, his gateway into the real estate industry, and how the 2008 economic crisis affected his father's business.


Aaron Burnett is the Founder and CEO of Spaced Ventures, the world's largest community of space investors. Spaced Ventures provides early-stage, pre-seed, and seed capital for space companies. It also provides public access to curated private space investments for both accredited and non-accredited investors.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Aaron Burnett, the Founder and CEO of Spaced Ventures, to talk about investing in the space industry. They also discuss the cost of access to space, the benefits of space exploration, and how Spaced Ventures' business model works.


Christy Pretzinger is the Owner and CEO of WriterGirl, a company that creates content and strategy for hospitals and healthcare organizations across the United States. Christy went from freelancing to owning her own agency, uncovering a passion for creating an environment where people can thrive. She is a lifelong learner and believes personal growth leads to professional growth. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Christy Pretzinger, the Owner and CEO of WriterGirl, about her experience transitioning from freelancing to building an agency. Christy shares secrets to retaining long-term employees, finding big clients, and thriving during challenging economic times.


Michèle Hecken is an executive coach, serial entrepreneur, author, and speaker. She has over 25 years of experience running Alpha Translations Canada Inc., a global translation company which she started when she was 23. Michèle has also been a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) for more than a decade. She successfully scaled her company before offboarding herself and selling it in 2019.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Michèle Hecken about how she started and scaled a global translation company. Michèle talks about her breaking point running a business and raising kids, selling her company, and her offboarding process. Stay tuned!

Direct download: Michle_Hecken_Scaling_a_Company_and_The_Power_of_Offboarding_Yourself.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Rob Castaneda is the Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, a firm that helps software companies build their support, training, and consulting ecosystems. He is also a member of the EO San Francisco chapter and a mentor at both Global Scaling Academy and Endeavor.

Rob Castaneda, the Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about building his software company. Rob also discusses the leadership mindset and moving his company from Australia to the US.

Direct download: Rob_Castaneda_The_Leadership_Mindset_and_Building_Software_Ecosystems.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Jenny Feterovich is the Executive Producer at Arcadius Productions Inc. and Managing Partner at Parliament Studios. She is a film/TV producer, humanitarian, and speaker. Her flagship show, the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated PBS series Start Up, showcases entrepreneurs that have followed their dream of creating a small business. Jenny is also the President of the EO Detroit chapter. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Jenny Feterovich, the Executive Producer at Arcadius Productions Inc. They talk about Jenny's key projects, her inspiration for attending the Global Leadership Conference (GLC), and how she has been supporting war refugees from Ukraine.

Direct download: Jenny_Feterovich_TV_Film_Production_and_Providing_Humanitarian_Aid.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Dawid Adach is the Co-founder of Material Design for Bootstrap (MDB), a free material design framework for web developers. He is an entrepreneur, a full-stack developer, and a member of the supervisory board at AI REV. Dawid was a founding member of the EO Poland chapter and served as President from 2021 to 2022. He has a master’s degree in computer science from the Warsaw University of Technology. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Dawid Adach, the Co-founder of Material Design for Bootstrap, about his work supporting war refugees. Dawid explains how the EO Relief Fund in Poland was started, how EO members in Poland supported Ukrainian refugees, and his experience being an EO member.

Direct download: Dawid_Adach_Supporting_War_Refugees_and_Providing_Relief_to_Businesses.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Winnie Hart is the Founder, President, and Chief Right Engine at TwinEngine, a brand growth agency fueled by purpose. She has built a reputation as an inspired, award-winning designer and savvy interpreter of business brands and personalities. Winnie has collaborated with the largest public and privately held corporations in the region, helping them define their position in the market through communications. She also serves as the Global Board Director for Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).

Winnie Hart, the Founder, President, and Chief Right Engine at TwinEngine, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about branding and repositioning companies. Winnie shares her experience joining EO, becoming an EO leader, and re-launching the EO brand during the pandemic. Stay tuned!

Direct download: Winnie_Hart_Branding_and_Repositioning_Companies_in_the_Market.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Rodolfo Salazar is the Founder and CEO of IdeaWorks International, Qudox, and iDigital Studios. IdeaWorks International is a 360-degree innovation and digital transformation agency that builds and generates competitive advantages and commercial opportunities from new technologies and digital media. Qudox is a disruptive company that focuses on performance marketing for businesses that need to aggressively scale customer acquisition using digital technologies and branding. iDigital Studios helps brands connect with Hispanic consumers through technology and creativity.

Rodolfo has more than 20 years of experience working for global technology and telecommunications companies and has managed teams and initiatives in more than 19 countries in the Latin America region. He is also a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization in El Salvador.

Rodolfo Salazar, the Founder and CEO of IdeaWorks International, Qudox, and iDigital Studios, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast. Rodolfo explains how he helps brands grow and scale, the lessons he learned from supermodel Tyra Banks, and the benefits of being an EO member.

Direct download: Rodolfo_Salazar_Helping_Brands_Grow_and_Scale_To_Over_70_Countries.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Patrick Bryant is the Co-founder and CEO of Code/+/Trust, a software development firm with offices in Washington, DC, and Charleston, South Carolina. As a serial entrepreneur, Patrick invests in new startups including, Teamphoria, Event.Gives, ADesk, and Shine Rolling Papers. He is recognized as a Liberty Fellow by Wofford College, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a Riley Fellow granted by Furman University.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Patrick Bryant, the Co-founder and CEO of Code/+/Trust, about how to make your clients successful. Patrick talks about the problems he solves for his clients, the benefits of attending GLC events, and his growth session at the EO Global Leadership Conference.

Direct download: Patrick_Bryant_How_To_Make_Your_Clients_Successful.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

James Burchell is a Partner and the Co-founder of Tellon Capital, a property investment and development firm based in the UK. Tellon Capital specializes in investing in UK real estate through partnerships with high-net-worth individuals and families as well as institutional investors. It provides tailored and precise investment, asset management, and development expertise across all aspects of real estate. James has more than 20 years of experience in real estate, previously serving as the CEO of Phoenix Real Estate and Arrowcroft.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews James Burchell, a Partner and Co-founder of Tellon Capital, about his firm's real estate developments. James explains how his company pivoted when the pandemic hit and shares his experience attending the EO Global Leadership Conference.


Joe Rinaldi is the Principal at That Was Clutch, a consulting practice focused on growing successful client service organizations. He is a people connector, community builder, and sales strategist. Joe helps client service agencies, internal team consultants, and enterprise teams to level up their business development and client service practices. He has also built custom teams and engagements for enterprises that need trusted partners to create their next iOS app, build a large-scale website, or punch out priorities on their digital product roadmap. Joe is also a coach, consultant, and Adjunct Professor at Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Joe Rinaldi, the Principal at That Was Clutch, about the leadership strategies he used to save an agency going through a crisis. Joe also explains how he helps clients gain more control over their businesses and increase revenue, his process-oriented business approach, and his tips for overcoming tension and pushback when pivoting a business.


Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group, an organization that provides businesses with the infrastructure, processes, and systems they need to thrive. Adi and her team help companies scale, transfer knowledge, and prepare for succession. By leveraging her ability to understand business processes — as well as people — and drawing on her high-caliber skills in vital areas of personnel management, finance, and operations, Adi can help virtually any business owner achieve their goals and bring order to their lives. She is also the Host of the Systems Simplified Podcast, which features top leaders sharing stories on how to successfully systematize a business.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Adi Klevit, the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group, about podcasting strategies to scale a business. Adi explains how she finds guests for her podcast, how podcasting helps gain new clients and grow the business, and why she works with Rise25.

Direct download: Adi_Klevit_Podcasting_Strategies_To_Scale_a_Business.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Katty Douraghy is the President of Artisan Creative, a staffing and recruiting agency focused on digital, creative, and marketing talent.  

The company has been in business for more than 25 years. She is also the Founder of Inspiring Hiring, an online resume and job posting portal. Katty is an author, a member of EO San Francisco, and an EO Forum Facilitator.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Katty Douraghy, the President of Artisan Creative, about recruiting digital, creative, and marketing talent. They also talk about the great resignation, changes in the staffing industry, and the benefits of attending GLC events.

Direct download: Katty_Douraghy_Recruiting_Digital_Creative_and_Marketing_Talent.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Miranda Naiman is the Founder of Empower, a human capital consulting firm based in Tanzania that provides talent, advisory, and insight services across the African continent. They serve clients in the area of talent and executive search, advisory in learning and development strategy, team building, insight research, and market intelligence. They also offer corporate retreats. Miranda is the incoming Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Learning Committee.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Miranda Naiman, the Founder of Empower, to talk about Miranda's company and her experience interviewing Tyra Banks. They also discuss the benefits of learning from other entrepreneurs and being an EO leader.


Jackie Carpenter is the CEO and Owner of Ideal Restoration, an emergency service response company that serves the San Francisco Bay Area. Jackie is an established expert in emergency restoration and environmental services, holding advanced certifications from the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) along with extensive training in hazardous materials handling. 

Jackie Carpenter, the CEO and Owner of Ideal Restoration, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast. Jackie talks about the services her company provides, her experience attending a Global Leadership Conference (GLC) event, and how she has benefited from being an EO member.


George Uribe is the President and CEO of GuestBooker, a media services company based out of Nashville that books people on TV and radio programs. George was a producer and booker at CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News Channel before quitting to start his own company. GuestBooker has now been in operation for 16 years. 

George has been a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) for 12 years and was a Co-chair for Learning, Chair of the Social Committee during the pandemic, and currently serves as the first Diversity Chair for the EO Chapter in Nashville. 

George Uribe, the President and CEO of GuestBooker, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about his work and the value of understanding clients' needs. George also explains why he enjoys connecting people and how he has been serving other leaders at EO.

Direct download: George_Uribe_The_Value_of_Understanding_Your_Clients_Needs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Carrie Santos is the CEO of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a high-quality support network of over 16,000 like-minded leaders in over 62 countries. EO helps entrepreneurs achieve their full potential in their business and personal lives through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. Carrie has over 20 years of experience leading change management and strategic development of international organizations and programs. Prior to EO, she was the Policy Section Chief of Refugee Admissions at the US Department of State and the Executive Director of International Response and Programs at the American Red Cross. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Carrie Santos, the CEO of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), to talk about becoming a better leader by influencing others. Carrie also explains what EO is and how it supports leaders and communities.

Direct download: Carrie_Santos_Becoming_a_Better_Leader_by_Influencing_Others.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Brad Stevens is the Founder and CEO of Outsource Access, a virtual assistant company out of the Philippines that provides full-time virtual staff for small and medium-sized business owners doing operations, marketing, sales, finance, and custom business services. Serving various industries, the company has grown to 400 people in two and a half years and won the Inc. Best in Business Award. Brad is from Atlanta and is the former President of the EO Atlanta chapter.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Brad Stevens, the Founder and CEO of Outsource Access, about how he helps companies realize their full potential. Brad discusses the benefits of outsourcing, why he started his company, and the benefits of attending GLC events.


Eric Dunn is the CEO of Quicken, makers of the best-selling personal finance software in the US. Under his leadership, the company successfully spun off from Intuit, its original owner, and modernized its product suite — leading to significant growth. It also attracted a major investment from Aquiline Capital Partners in 2021. Today, Quicken provides more than 2 million active users the tools to lead healthier financial lives. 

Prior to serving as Quicken's CEO, Eric spent more than 20 years at Intuit where he was employee number four. As the CFO, he took the company into its IPO in 1993. During his career, Eric has also pursued technology investing as an angel investor and Partner at Cardinal Ventures. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Eric Dunn, the CEO of Quicken, about his experience working at Intuit and transitioning to become the CEO of Quicken. Eric also talks about competing against Microsoft's personal finance product, how he differentiates Quicken from Intuit, and his strategy for handling customer complaints.


Jamie Birch is the Founder and CEO of JEBCommerce, a full-service, online marketing agency that specializes in performance marketing. His extensive internet marketing experience includes all facets of online marketing: email, paid search campaigns, customer retention programs, and much more. Jamie is also the Host of The Profitable Performance Marketing Podcast and a member of the Bureau of Digital.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Jamie Birch, the Founder and CEO of JEBCommerce, about affiliate marketing and the best strategies for building an affiliate program. Jamie explains how affiliate marketing works, how it has evolved over the years, and how social media impacts affiliate programs.


Rowena Scherer is the Founder and CEO of eat2explore, an award-winning family cooking kit inspiring cultural exploration through diverse global cuisine. She is an experienced financial executive who followed her passion for food, travel, and children to start an experiential explorer box for the whole family. Rowena is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute and holds an Executive MBA from NYU Stern.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Rowena Scherer, the Founder and CEO of eat2explore, about her journey in building a subscription meal kit company. Rowena also talks about the importance of having a mentor, the challenges she faced building her company, and how eat2explore promotes diversity.


Branden Lisi is the Co-founder of Object 9, a digital agency started in 1992 around the dawn of the internet. His team built a great reputation revitalizing brands starting with Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), which led to many other assignments in the food and beverage space. Over the last 10 years, Object 9 has moved into helping equipment and machinery companies build a sustainable lead generation program. Branden is also a franchise owner and pastry inspector.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Branden Lisi, the Co-founder of Object 9, about how he built a digital agency and his experience working with CPG brands. Branden also discusses best practices for cold calling, how Hurricane Katrina impacted his business, and his tips for building a great company culture.


Dr. Mark Stephany is the Host of The Progressive Bitcoiner Podcast, which he created to give a voice to individuals and communities who have used Bitcoin to foster positive changes for personal, social, and environmental issues. He is also an entrepreneur and doctor.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Mark Stephany, the Host of The Progressive Bitcoiner Podcast, to talk about the use of Bitcoin to foster positive change. Dr. Stephany explains how it can be used to end poverty, enable better energy transmission, and discusses the volatile nature of Bitcoin.


Will Gee is the Co-founder and CEO of Balti Virtual, a full-service augmented and virtual reality studio. Will and his team have designed augmented reality and virtual reality experiences for clients like Under Armour, PayPal, Stanley Black & Decker, Sagamore Development, and NBC Universal. He has also been honored as one of Baltimore Business Journal's Tech 10. Prior to Balti Virtual, Will worked on a number of video game titles including “European Air War” and “Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes” for a variety of clients and companies. 

Will Gee, the Co-founder and CEO of Balti Virtual, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about working in the virtual and augmented reality industry. Will also discusses how gaming software has evolved over the years, shares his experience working on a virtual reality project for the NFL, and talks about the future of the industry.


Paige Velasquez Budde is a Partner and the CEO of Zilker Media, an Austin-based agency that builds people-driven brands. She has been a featured speaker on digital marketing strategy topics and has led workshops at national venues such as Harvard Medical School, Austin's Alamo Drafthouse, Zilker Park, and Hilton Hotel, as well as for organizations such as the Women Presidents Organization. Paige also has an amazing background as a musician and performer. 

Paige Velasquez Budde, a Partner and CEO at Zilker Media, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about her experience being a music performer for Disney and how she moved to digital marketing. Paige also talks about her company's core values and advises new authors on publishing books and building a social media audience. Stay tuned.


Rich Mulholland is the Founder of Missing Link, a presentation powerhouse. He is a rock and roll roadie-turned-entrepreneur who knows firsthand the impact that memorable presentations can make. He now works with executives and speakers from around the world, helping them to deliver unforgettable presentations that activate audiences and generate income. Rich is also the Author of three books including Legacide, Boredom Slayer, and his latest, Here Be Dragons

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Rich Mulholland, the Founder of Missing Link, about his transition from being a rock and roll roadie to becoming an entrepreneur and speaker coach. Rich talks about his background doing sales and working as a roadie, the entrepreneurial lessons he has learned over the years, and how different coaches and peers have impacted his career.


Jon Maddux is the Co-founder and CEO of FundLoans, a wholesale mortgage lender that specializes in Jumbo Non-QM solutions. He was once an on-staff songwriter for Warner Brothers, writing music for bands like Smash Mouth and Plain White T's. He then transitioned to the real estate and mortgage finance industry where he has been working for more than 25 years. Jon also runs We Drink Tequila, a handcrafted tequila subscription business and is the CEO of Drop Mortgage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Jon Maddux, the Co-founder and CEO of FundLoans, about how he built a company to help homeowners deal with foreclosures. Jon also talks about songwriting, Non-QM lending, and starting a craft tequila subscription business. Stay tuned.


Don Williams is a keynote speaker and the CEO of Don Williams Global, where he helps businesses grow and multiply sales. Over the last 30 years, Don has worked with about half of the Fortune 500 companies in marketing, sales, and customer experience. He has written four best-selling books including Romancing Your Customer and D.I.Y. Outbound Contact Center Toolbox. His latest book, Gratitude: Stories From Our Hearts, shares inspiring stories of the power of gratitude in people's lives. Don is the Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show and lives in Texas with his wife, Leta, and their two chocolate Labrador Retrievers, Maggie and Tess. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Don Williams, the CEO of Don Williams Global, about his sales process and entrepreneurship journey. Don also talks about the challenges he faced building his wholesale buying business, the importance of practicing gratitude, and why he started a contact center. Stay tuned.


Richard Palarea is the Co-founder and CEO of Kermit, a Baltimore-based healthcare cost reduction and spend management company that brings automation and insight to the high-spend category of implantable medical devices within hospitals and health systems. Since its founding in 2011, the company has saved hospitals more than $200 million. Prior to co-founding Kermit, Richard was the Co-founder and CEO of PA & Associates, the originator of the logistics 4PL category in parcel package cost reduction and spend management (acquired by Prostar Logistics). 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Richard Palarea, the Co-founder and CEO of Kermit, to talk about how Richard started a real estate appraisal company after college and how he transitioned to building a cost reduction company. They also discuss how Richard managed his company remotely 20 years ago, how he has been helping companies reduce costs, and what he learned from working with his father. Stay tuned.


Rich Russakoff is a business coach, speaker, author, and serial entrepreneur. He brings more than 45 years of experience successfully starting and developing businesses, working with CEOs and other entrepreneurs, training, consulting, and business brokering. He is the Author of Make Banks Compete To Lend You Money: The Complete Guide to Business Loans, which is known as the Bible of bank financing. He also authored the chapter “Mastering the Art of Bank Financing” in the book Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish. His newest book is The Art of Managing People Time & Money: Inspiration and Wisdom for Every Entrepreneur. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Rich Russakoff, a business coach, speaker, author, and serial entrepreneur, about his journey from entrepreneurship to business brokerage. Rich talks about selling his business, discusses some common barriers to success, and explains why some Inc. 500 companies go out of business in two years.


Harold Tan is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in e-commerce and information systems. Harold has built and exited e-commerce companies and is currently a Co-founder at GigaWatt Inc, a solar company focused on distributing and installing residential and portable solar power. Harold first got involved in Bitcoin in 2012, making him one of the early adopters.

Harold is also the Co-founder and CMO of Planet Plan Sets and an eCommerce Web Strategy and Business Consultant at H2W Ventures. He is a Board Member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, volunteers as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UCI's Applied Innovation Cove, and helps educate startups on marketing and finance. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Harold Tan, the Co-founder, COO, and CMO at GigaWatt Inc, about the rapid changes across digital money, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, DeFi, and NFTs. Harold explains the relationship between Bitcoin and energy, the regulation of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin, and what Web3 and NFTs are.


Dr. Ken Blanchard is one of the world's most influential leadership experts. He is the co-author of more than 65 books including The One Minute Manager with combined sales of over 23 million copies in 47 languages. In 2005, he was inducted into Amazon's Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 best-selling authors of all time. He is also the Co-founder of The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international training and consulting firm.

Randy Conley is the Vice President and Trust Practice Leader for The Ken Blanchard Companies. Trust Across America recognized him with the Lifetime Achievement Award as a Top Thought Leader in trustworthy business behavior and he is a founding member of the Alliance of Trustworthy Business Experts. Inc.com named Randy a Top 100 Leadership Speaker & Thinker and American Management Association included him in their 2015 Leaders to Watch list. Randy and Dr. Blanchard's new book is Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley from The Ken Blanchard Companies, to talk about their new book, Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust. They share strategies for attracting and hiring good employees, building trust in a remote team, and discuss the upcoming movie, The Mulligan. Stay tuned.


Ryan Villanueva is an entrepreneur and educator who's consulted for the United Nations, national governments, and billion-dollar unicorns. He is a Senior Consultant at Crews Consulting Group where he helps entrepreneurs increase revenue, profitability, and valuation of their businesses. He is also the Co-founder and Chief Education Officer at Best Delegate Model United Nations, a K-12 education company that empowers students to be global leaders. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ryan was a Risk Analyst at Goldman Sachs during the 2008 financial crisis, helping to advise with corporate treasury strategy. He is also a past President of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, Boston chapter. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Ryan Villanueva, the Co-founder and Chief Education Officer at Best Delegate Model United Nations, about his experience surviving the 2008 financial crisis and leaving Goldman Sachs to go into entrepreneurship. Ryan also talks about his passion for Model UN and investing in different crypto assets. Stay tuned.


Melanie Chandruang is the Founder of WeConsult, a consultancy that helps agencies scale by optimizing their operations and strategizing infrastructure around financials, HR, culture, and overall workflows in business. Melanie helps creative agencies set up their day to day operations in order to run profitably. She has more than 10 years of experience handling all the in's and out's of business administration for agencies, startups, and tech companies. 

Melanie Chandruang, the Founder of WeConsult, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about her work supporting creative agencies in building better workflows. Melanie also shares her tips for building a company culture for a remote team, strategies to prevent employee burnout, and talks about the hiring challenges agencies have been facing. Stay tuned.


Calvin Johnson is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and coach. He founded a Costco home delivery service company in 1989 which he later turned into an e-commerce office supply company and office coffee company. He generated about $300 million over the years before selling it in 2021. Calvin now runs ClubNeed, an adventure travel company and The Culture Kitchen, where he helps businesses develop their company culture through research, speaking, coaching, workshops, and retreats.

Calvin Johnson, a serial entrepreneur, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about how he started a Costco home delivery service company, how he pivoted, and how he later sold it to a Fortune 500 company. Calvin also talks about organizing adventure travel for EO members, helping founders build their company culture, and his advice on building a happier workplace. Stay tuned.


Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his own podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews. Dr. Weisz also founded a nutritional supplement business and continues to run his own chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz, his Co-founder at Rise25, to talk about creating an outsourced business development process. They explain the importance of having a target list, creating the right outreach message, and the right tools and procedures for delivering messages. Stay tuned.


Dominic Rubino is a business coach, entrepreneur, and podcaster. He has built and sold two companies ⁠— CanadaPharmacy, which he built up to $120 million a year in annual revenue before selling it, and FocalPoint Business Coaching, which was in partnership with the business guru, speaker, thought leader, and author, Brian Tracy.

Dominic is the Host of two podcasts for the construction industry ⁠— Profit Tool Belt podcast and Cabinet Maker Profit System. He started his first business, a light installation company, while in high school.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Dominic Rubino, a business coach and podcaster, about the lessons he learned from his entrepreneurial journey. Dominic also talks about his Profit Tool Belt podcast, the challenges he faced building CanadaPharmacy, and how he became a business coach. Stay tuned.


Bennie Fowler is the Founder and President of Infinite Potential Ltd and is also an eight-year veteran in the National Football League (NFL). He began his career as an undrafted free agent signed by the Denver Broncos in 2014. He was a member of their 2016 Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 championship team and may be best remembered for having hauled in the final pass for Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning. 

Bennie is a member of a number of different organizations and has had experience working around high-performing teams and individuals. He has been coaching many executives as well, including over 200 different business owners and CEOs while in the NFL. Bennie is also the host of the Quiet Time Podcast.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Bennie Fowler, an NFL veteran, about his experience as a professional football player and his transition to business coaching. Bennie also talks about his parents' influence on his life, his reasons for writing a book, and the connection between playing in the NFL and being a business leader. Stay tuned.


Bill Flynn is a coach, author, and speaker who has collaborated with Alan Mulally and pitched Steve Jobs. He has worked for and advised hundreds of companies including startups across multiple industries. He has been a VP of Sales eight times, twice a CMO, and once as GM of a division within a $100 million IT services company before he pivoted to becoming a business growth coach about seven years ago.

Prior to that, Bill had five successful outcomes, two IPOs, and seven acquisitions including a turnaround during the 2008 financial crisis. He also has been listed on the Marshall Goldsmith 100 list of some of the best coaches. Bill is the Author of Further, Faster: The Vital Few Steps That Take the Guesswork out of Growth.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Bill Flynn, a coach, author, and speaker, to talk about how Bill connected with Alan Mulally and what he learned about rebuilding the Ford brand. They also discuss strategies for focusing on a company's core customers and explain why leaders should fire themselves from day-to-day company responsibilities. Stay tuned.


Justin Christianson is the Co-founder and President of Conversion Fanatics, a conversion rate optimization company. They work with companies to help them increase conversion and marketing performance. Justin is also the Author of Conversion Fanatic: How To Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits With A/B Testing. He is a former pro bull rider-turned-digital marketer.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Justin Christianson, the Co-founder and President of Conversion Fanatics, about his background as a bull rider and how he built a digital marketing company. Justin also talks about some of the challenges he faced growing his business, how he helps clients optimize their conversion rates, and the future of e-commerce. Stay tuned.


Wade Wyant is a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and author. His most recent company is called Redegades, which helps families protect their digital privacy and safety. Wade is a longtime entrepreneur, Scaling Up coach, and executive advisor focused on mid-market companies as they scale into industry-dominating businesses. He is also a member of YPO and EO, and served as President of the EO West Michigan chapter and in the leadership of YPO. One of Wade’s past startups was a technology company which he grew from five employees in 2006 to over 80 employees and $36 million in revenue in 2017. It was one of the fastest-growing companies in America six years in a row as listed by Inc. 5000. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Wade Wyant, an entrepreneur and Scaling Up coach, about the lessons he learned from entrepreneurship and his business failures. They also talk about the hedgehog concept, Wade's book, and the challenges he faced with his PalmPilot business. Stay tuned.


Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his own podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews. Dr. Weisz also founded a nutritional supplement business and continues to run his own chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Co-founder at Rise25, joins John Corcoran to share tips and strategies for successfully launching a podcast. They talk about the right people to build relationships with, share tips for the actual launch process, and explain how to create your dream 100. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Dr._Jeremy_Weisz_How_to_Launch_a_Podcast_Successfully.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Abeer Qumsieh is the Founder and CEO of Khibraty and Better Business, which is based in Jordan. Her company has been deep in the team-building activity space in the Middle Eastern region. She has extensive expertise in organizational development and transformation, service culture development, and organizational mindset. Abeer is also an investor and a philanthropist. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Abeer Qumsieh, the Founder and CEO of Better Business, about her experience being a member of EO and how her business has benefited from it. Abeer also talks about the Global Leadership Conference, Global Leadership Academy, and rebuilding during the pandemic. Stay tuned.


Marty McDonaldis the Co-founder and CEO of Bad Rhino, a full-service digital marketing agency based outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has been in the digital marketing world since 2002 and has consulted with all kinds of small businesses and startups, helping them succeed online. Today, Bad Rhino is a social media marketing and digital agency that services clients locally, nationally, and globally, especially in the world of beer and golf. They've won top social media agency awards.Martyis also the author ofGreat Beer is Not Enough. 

In this episode of theSmart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviewsMarty McDonald, the Co-founder and CEO of Bad Rhino, about building a digital agency. They also talk aboutMarty's expertise in client success management, his recruiting background, and why he loves working with craft beer and golf companies. Stay tuned.


Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his own podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews. Dr. Weisz also founded a nutritional supplement business and continues to run his own chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz, his Co-founder at Rise25, to talk about how to be a gold medalist at b2b podcasting. They also discuss the importance of having a client avatar when starting a podcast and explain why new podcasters should not spend too much time on post-production. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Dr._Jeremy_Weisz_How_to_be_a_Gold_medalist_at_B2B_podcasting.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

David Nilssen is the Co-founder and CEO of Doxa7, which helps businesses build high-performing global teams in the Philippines. He’s also the Co-founder and CEO of Guidant Financial, which has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs to secure $6 billion to start or buy a business. David and his business partner received the National Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) as well as seven-time Best Places to Work on Array. 

David is also an active investor who has invested in different types of businesses and has been involved in YPO and Entrepreneurs' Organization Seattle chapter. He is the Author of Making the Jump Into Small Business Ownership.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with David Nilssen, the Co-founder and CEO of Doxa7 and Guidant Financial, to talk about building an outsourcing professional services firm. David also explains how he has benefited from Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and shares his experience being a Learning Chair at EO. Stay tuned.


Robert Clinkenbeard is the Owner of The Radix Group, which provides leadership and coaching programs for CEOs, presidents, and business owners. He founded and sold his $20 million business 15 years after immigrating from Scotland to the US. He is a respected Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) leader and mentor and published two books including Ironman Mindset for Entrepreneurs, which has helped him become a sought-after speaker at many global events. 

Robert is also a disciplined athlete who has competed in four different Ironman triathlons and played semi-professional rugby, giving him the experience to help high-performing business owners and athletes get to an elite level. At his peak, his business had about 350 employees in five different branches. He also hosts The Commercial Landscaper Podcast.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Robert Clinkenbeard, Owner of The Radix Group, to talk about using an Ironman mindset to build a business. Robert shares his experience starting a company in the US after immigrating from Scotland, the challenges he faced growing the business, and how networking helped him navigate those challenges. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Robert_Clinkenbeard_The_Ironman_Mindset_for_Entrepreneurs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Ashtan Moore is a Co-founder and Partner at Model B, a Washington, DC and Atlanta-based digital marketing agency that helps companies and entrepreneurs increase sales, communicate with key audiences, and drive influence in the marketplace. He is also the Co-founder and Advisor to Ironclad Accounting and Finance and is a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Washington, DC chapter. With a background in engineering, Ashtan built Model B’s digital marketing platforms to employ smart algorithms and help companies use the power of big data online to achieve nearly any sales or communications objective. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Ashtan Moore, a Co-founder and Partner at Model B, about his entrepreneurial journey and what he learned from running different businesses. Ashtan also explains how his parents influenced his career choice and how he evolved into digital marketing. Stay tuned.


Mark O'Brien is the CEO of Newfangled, a digital marketing consultancy for digital and traditional marketing firms. They help creative and digital agencies develop new business opportunities. Mark started working at Newfangled in 2000 as an intern before rising up the ranks to become the President and CEO of the company. He bought it over a five-year term from 2009 to 2013.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Mark O'Brien, the CEO of Newfangled, about how he rose up the ranks from intern to owning Newfangled. Mark talks about the lessons he has learned over the years, how he restructured his company in 2010, and how using paid media impacted his company. Stay tuned.


Keith Fiscus is the Founder and CEO of Innovative Career Resources and Staffing, a professional recruiting and staffing firm specializing in accounting, finance, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, customer experience, and executive administrative professionals. He is based in Orange County, California. 

Keith is also a proud veteran of the United States Army (Airborne). After completing his enlistment in the Army, he parlayed his experience as a combat medic into a career in the healthcare industry as an emergency room nurse. His experience in healthcare and passion for science inspired him to transition into the field of talent acquisition. He is also active in Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and served as President of the Orange County Chapter of EO.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Keith Fiscus, the Founder and CEO of Innovative Career Resources and Staffing, about his experience working as a combat medic in Thailand and his transition into entrepreneurship. Keith also talks about joining Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), how his mother supported his business, and how he struggled before finding even greater success. Stay tuned.


Peter Gerritsen is the President of Taan Worldwide, a network of different member advertising agencies operating in 30 countries and 60 cities worldwide with over 50 member companies. He's also a 30-year veteran working inside agencies, and he's a speaker and thought leader for agencies. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran features the President of Taan Worldwide, Peter Gerritsen, to discuss the top challenges agencies face today. They talk about how Peter began leading a 100-year-old agency peer group, what the future holds for agency owners around the world, and lots more.


David Bartholomeusz is a serial entrepreneur and a Facilitator at the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). He specializes in empowering entrepreneurial leaders and building communication habitats in which communities thrive. He is also a strategy and alignment guide, vision leader, and marketing strategist. David holds a degree in law and spent many years working in the professional entertainment industry.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews David Bartholomeusz, a serial entrepreneur and a Facilitator at the Entrepreneurs' Organization, about what he learned from working in the professional entertainment industry and past experiences that have influenced his exploratory characteristics. David also talks about his desire to empower leaders and his work as a facilitator. Stay tuned.


Lisa Vitale is the President of SimplyDIRECT and of Entrepreneurs'​ Organization (EO) Boston chapter. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing strategy at SimplyDIRECT, focusing on delivering client campaigns on schedule and on spec. Lisa started at SimplyDIRECT as CFO and previously worked for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and PJA Advertising + Marketing. She has been a member of EO Boston since 2013 and will remain the President-Elect until June 2023. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Lisa Vitale, the President of SimplyDIRECT and Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Boston, to talk about Lisa's journey in developing a customized app for her business. Lisa talks about the challenges she faced upgrading her app, what she learned from her mentors, and how she guides her team in handling business problems. Stay tuned.


Ian Burnstein is the Co-founder and COO of Storage Pros Management (SPM). He is a former attorney turned real estate and self-storage entrepreneur who has invested in multi-family, RV parks, self-storage, and cannabis dispensary sale-leaseback sectors. He has been a part of more than $500,000,000 in transactions since 2015.  

Ian is currently an investor and the Chair of a TIGER 21 peer group, Owner of Storage Business Owners Alliance (SBOA), and President of SBOA Tenant Insurance. He is also involved in a community clinic in honor of his father.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Ian Burnstein, the Co-founder and COO of Storage Pros Management (SPM), about his entrepreneurial journey and how he survived encephalitis and a kidney transplant. Ian talks about the challenges he faced building his business, how he joined TIGER 21, and how he has been serving others through a community clinic. Stay tuned.


Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his own podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews. Dr. Weisz also founded a nutritional supplement business and continues to run his own chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz, his Co-founder at Rise25, to discuss how a podcast can help businesses save time. Dr. Weisz also shares his strategies for repurposing content and explains how a podcast can be used to achieve a business' big objectives and speed up the sales cycle. Stay tuned.


Leonard Goldberg is a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and the Owner and President of Gold Aviation Services. He is an aeronautical entrepreneur who owns an aircraft charter management, maintenance, sales, and acquisition company. He also appears in various videos and programs about selling jets and has several YouTube appearances on Flying Doodles and Sailing Doodles for Bahamian hurricane relief. Leonard is also involved in philanthropy where he and his wife actively support the Gilda's Club of South Florida. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Leonard Goldberg, the Owner and President of Gold Aviation Services, to talk about growing a business in the airline charter industry. Leonard also talks about the challenges he has faced building the business, explains how he uses employee training to retain top talent, and talks about changes in charter bookings over the years. Stay tuned.


David Anderson is the Founder of Off Madison Ave. He went from President of his college fraternity to the White House and is now a seasoned entrepreneur and current Chair of the Global Board of Directors for Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), which is made up of 16,000 members in over 62 countries. EO’s mission is to engage leading entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. 

David is also the Founder of LighthousePE, a mobile marketing platform-as-a-service that connects consumers’ digital and physical worlds through hyper-targeted mobile content. He’s the Author of the book Leader is Not a Title, which helps people shift their mindset and develop their own leadership competencies. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by David Anderson, the Founder of Off Madison Ave, to talk about his experience working as an Advance for a US President and going into entrepreneurship. David also talks about the challenges he faced removing himself from his company's daily operations and shares advice on being a charismatic leader and finding the right business partner. Stay tuned.


Robert Rose is the Founder and self-proclaimed Chief Troublemaker at The Content Advisory. For more than 10 years, Robert has worked with more than 500 companies including 15 of the Fortune 100 companies. He has provided strategic marketing advice and counsel for global brands such as Facebook, Salesforce, NASA, CVS Health, McCormick Spices, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He is also the author of three best-selling books including Killing Marketing, which he wrote with his colleague, Joe Pulizzi. Robert co-hosts a podcast with Joe called This Old Marketing, which has run for the last eight years. 

Robert Rose, the Founder and Chief Troublemaker at The Content Advisory, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, where he talks about creating and managing content. Robert also shares his tips for coming up with new ideas, talks about the importance of SEO strategies, and explains how his business was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned.


Andrew Warner is the Founder of Mixergy, where he interviews entrepreneurs and founders to help teach others how to build successful companies. He is one of the early leaders in podcasting with over a decade in recording interviews. Andrew mined the transcripts from his numerous interviews and used them to create a new book called Stop Asking Questions: How to Lead High-Impact Interviews and Learn Anything from Anyone.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Andrew Warner, the Founder of Mixergy, to discuss Andrew's new book and his strategies for asking questions during an interview. They also talk about staying motivated to do interviews, the emergence of popular podcasters, and Andrew's advice on asking guests hard questions. Stay tuned.


Gordon C. James is the Founder and Owner of Gordon C. James Public Relations, a full-service public relations agency with offices in Phoenix, Arizona and Washington, DC. Gordon became friends with President George H.W. Bush dating back to the late 1970s and spent 20 years in a variety of different business and political positions. 

After the 1988 presidential election, Gordon joined President Bush's staff at the White House serving as his Lead Advance Representative and as Director of Invitations and Ticketing for the 51st Presidential Inaugural Committee. In 1990, he established Gordon C. James Public Relations as a full-service media relations, event management, and governmental affairs agency. He was also involved in President George W. Bush's elections and inaugurations in 2000 and 2004.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Gordon C. James, the Founder and Owner of Gordon C. James Public Relations, about his experience meeting and working as an Advance for President George H.W. Bush. Gordon explains what an Advance does, talks about moving to work in Baghdad, and explains why he started his own public relations agency. Stay tuned.


Verne Harnish is the Founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), which has over 16,000 members worldwide. He is also the Founder of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company with over 200 partners on six continents. Verne is the author of multiple books, the latest being Scaling Up Compensation: 5 Design Principles for Turning Your Largest Expense into a Strategic Advantage. He also wrote the best-sellers Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, The Greatest Business Decisions of All Times, and Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, Verne Harnish, Founder of Scaling Up, gets interviewed by Co-hosts John Corcoran, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Elise Holtzman, Adi Klevit, and Joshua Chin about structuring and scaling compensation plans. Verne shares his tips for creating compensation plans for managerial roles, creating plans for risk-taking businesses, and how to incorporate gamification in compensation plans. Stay tuned.


David C. Baker is the Principal of ReCourses, Inc. He is an author, speaker, and advisor to entrepreneurial creatives worldwide. He has written five books, three of which focus on the central elements of the business of expertise: positioning, financial management, and leadership. 

David has worked with more than 900 firms, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, USA Today, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, MarketingProfs, Businessweek, and CBS. His most recent book is The Business of Expertise: How Entrepreneurial Experts Convert Insight to Impact + Wealth. He is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and also enjoys photography, teaching motorcycle racing, flying airplanes and helicopters, and custom woodworking.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by David C. Baker, the Principal of ReCourses, Inc., to discuss how companies pivoted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. David talks about the lessons he learned from concentrating on working with a few clients, shares his tips for success, and explains how new media and technology have been impacting businesses. Stay tuned.


Evan Nierman is the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, an international crisis management and public relations firm based out of Washington, DC. Evan and his team have provided counsel to a wide group of different celebrities, political leaders, corporate and private clients, and CEOs to help them navigate all kinds of sticky situations. He is also the Author of the best-selling book Crisis Averted: PR Strategies to Protect Your Reputation and the Bottom Line.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Evan Nierman, the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, about how he helps clients turn negative news into positive news through crisis PR. Evan also shares his experience helping Presidential candidates prepare for Presidential debates, explains how he helped the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum handle negative news, and talks about changes in the media landscape. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Evan_Nierman_How_to_Turn_Negative_News_into_Great_PR.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Carolyn Lowe founded ROI Swift in 2015. She helps consumer brands get expert help on Amazon, including paid ads for Facebook and Instagram, paid search and email marketing, and all other related fields that are relevant for businesses selling on Amazon. She did this after finding that many small businesses were being taken advantage of by agencies that charge a lot and don't give great results. 

Carolyn worked in a variety of consumer marketing leadership positions at Dell, ran global marketing advance for NPD Research Company, and consulted for many brands, including DirecTV, Callaway Golf, and many others. She is also the Author of the new book Business Growth Do's and Absolute Don'ts: Applied Wisdom from My Work with Dell, Costco, Amazon, and Multiple Start-ups

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Carolyn Lowe, the Founder of ROI Swift, about her experience managing a division at Dell and the challenges she faced while there. Carolyn also talks about selling on Amazon in 2014, hiring and firing strategies, and how she helps small businesses scale. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Carolyn_Lowe_Business_Growth_Lessons_from_Dell_Costco_and_Amazon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Jeff Goldscher is the Principal and Outsourced Chief Marketing Officer at JK Squared. He has been an advertising and marketing professional since 1993, working on behalf of global brands like Comcast, Microsoft, Choice Hotels, Target, and the National Football League. He started and built three different businesses including an advertising agency and a sports marketing agency, both named multiple times to the Inc. 5000 list. 

Jeff was a state finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award and since 2014 has been helping other business owners do the same by supplying fractional CMO services through JK Squared. He currently works with clients from different industries including home improvement, financial services, real estate, and hospitality. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Jeff Goldscher, the Principal and Outsourced Chief Marketing Officer at JK Squared, to talk about sports and coming up with creative marketing strategies. They also talk about the benefits of hiring a fractional CMO, Jeff's background in sports journalism, and the benefits of building a diversified business. Stay tuned.


Scott Empringham is the Owner and CEO of Empringham Media Group. For more than 21 years, his passion has been helping Fortune 50 companies to break through the clutter using digital marketing and social media to drive results in areas that matter most — customer retention and acquisition. Scott’s mission is to share his digital marketing and social media expertise to drive new business, retain current customers, and conquest the competition.

Scott is also a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Orange County. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Scott Empringham, the Owner and CEO of Empringham Media Group, about how he scaled his digital agency to over $10 million, lost it all, and his journey to recovery. Scott also explains how his EO forum members, family, and friends helped him rebound and shares the lessons he learned from the experiences. Stay tuned.


Stu Wolff is a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, Certified EOS Implementer, and Detroit Chair of TIGER 21. He started a company providing sales and marketing assistance in the food services industry back in 1997, changed ownership, and then rebranded as The Wolff Group which he built up to 40 employees managing sales of $140 million. 

Stu then started working with Gino Wickman, the Founder of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), and with the help of a great leadership team, grew his company to over 160 employees across 10 states managing over one billion dollars in sales. They made 10 strategic acquisitions and increased their footprint before selling the business in April 2013. Stu is now a business coach and professional EOS implementer. He also runs a peer group through TIGER 21.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Stu Wolff, Certified EOS Implementer and Detroit Chair of TIGER 21. Stu shares the steps he took to build up his business to the billion-dollar range, how he broke off a poor partnership, and how he drives acquisitions that match his core values. Plus, Stu discusses the ways in which peer groups are transforming the way we think about business. Stay tuned!


Nick Leighton is an agency owner, founder, and serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience working across the globe in North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. He owns and operates a coaching and peer advisory board agency, an international marketing agency, and a project management company. 

Nick is the Author of the book, Exactly Where You Want To Be: A Business Owner's Guide To Passion, Profit and Happiness. He also does professional speaking and executive coaching for business owners and facilitates various peer advisory boards. Fun fact: Nick met his wife at an event at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

Nick Leighton, the Owner and CEO of The Alternative Board, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast where he talks about running an agency and coaching fellow agency owners to build more profitable businesses. Nick also shares an experience getting hijacked in Pakistan, talks about champagne moments, and explains how humanitarian activities have impacted his agency. Stay tuned.


Kent Gregoire is the Founder and CEO of Symphony Advantage. He is a serial entrepreneur who launched his first manufacturing company at the age of 14. Since then, he has founded and led more than a dozen organizations throughout his entrepreneurial journey. Kent has also provided advisory training and coaching services to executive-level management under the Symphony Advantage Brand. He is an angel investor in purpose-driven companies as well as a sought-after speaker in the US and beyond. 

Part of what makes Kent unique is his 'why,’ which is a focus and passion for the widespread adoption of conscious capitalism. He is one of the first certified Conscious Capitalism Consultants in the world. Fun fact: Kent is a part-time farmer in Vermont and a van life enthusiast.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Kent Gregoire, the Founder and CEO of Symphony Advantage, about conscious capitalism and building a conscious business. Kent talks about managing a company from the bottom up, the lessons he learned as a serial entrepreneur, and the current movement towards conscious capitalism. Stay tuned.


Paul Bellows is the Founder and President of Yellow Pencil, a Canadian digital agency focused on the public sector and digital service transformation. He is a 25 year veteran of digital service industries and currently provides consulting and advisory services to leaders at different levels of government in Canada and in the US. Paul is also the host of The 311 Podcast where he features innovators in the digital space as well as in government. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Paul Bellows, the Founder and President of Yellow Pencil, about his work in helping governments digitize their services. Paul explains how he started his agency in the 90s, how losing a key client affected his business, and his process for helping clients adopt new technology.


Eden Gillott, aka the Dumpster Fire Fixer, is a crisis communications expert and the President of Gillott Communications. She has more than a decade of expertise in crisis and reputation management. She resolves issues both inside and outside the media’s glare — from celebrity scandals and corporate fraud to criminal and civil litigation. Educated at Harvard, NYU, Sejong University, and other institutions, she’s worked in Manhattan, Seoul, and Los Angeles.

Eden is a Forbes contributor and has appeared in many publications including The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Associated Press, among others. She is Co-author of three best-selling books: A Business Owner’s Guide to Crisis PR, A Lawyer’s Guide to Crisis PR (Second Edition), and A Board Member’s Guide to Crisis PR.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Eden Gillott, a crisis management expert, about how she helps celebrities and business owners handle scandals and crises. Eden also explains how she picks reporters to work with, shares her strategies for handling information already known by the public, and explains how to prevent future crises. Stay tuned.


Steve Parks is the CEO of Convivio where he helps agency leaders to work on their business as confidently as they work in it through writing, speaking, and training. He has experience leading creative and digital agencies for 16 years. Steve is also an Editor at Agency Radar, a briefing service for agency leaders that helps them think and plan more strategically.

Steve was a Journalist for the BBC in London for 10 years. He has been named one of the most inspiring agency leaders in the UK by a Bench Press survey of over 2,000 of his peers.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Steve Parks, the CEO of Convivio, to talk about radical transparency and helping business owners build better agencies. Steve also talks about changing careers from journalist to agency owner, doing sales for big projects, and how he prepared his agency for the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned.


Nancy Lyons is the President and CEO of Clockwork, an interactive design and technology consultancy. She is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and passionate advocate for LGBTQ families. She is the author of Work Like a Boss: A Kick-in-the-Pants Guide to Finding (and Using) Your Power at Work, and lives in Minneapolis with her spouse and son. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Nancy Lyons, the President and CEO of Clockwork, about how she has been building her company during challenging times. Nancy explains how the death of George Floyd impacted business in Minneapolis and in her company, explains how she evaluates clients to work with, and talks about her book. Stay tuned.


Paul Farrell is a longtime entrepreneur, founder, mentor, angel investor, and executive. Most recently, he was the Founder and CEO of Nehemiah Security, which he sold in September 2020. Paul has shepherded a startup from product launch to over a million in annual recurring revenue in less than two years, led a corporate acquisition that yielded a sale five years later at 10X the purchase price, and participated in the explosive growth of a global leader in business communications that yielded an 11X return on investment in just over a year. 

After successfully selling Nehemiah Security to ThreatConnect, Paul is now leading Pater Holdings. His goal is to invest in companies and help them flourish.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Paul Farrell, an entrepreneur and angel investor, to discuss what Paul learned from scaling and selling software firms. They also talk about hiring strategies, preparing for a successful sale, and the dot-com burst of 2003. Stay tuned.


Frank Cowell is a speaker, best-selling author, and the CEO of Digitopia, a revenue operations firm based in the San Diego, California area. With 20 years of digital marketing experience, Frank works regularly with CEOs, Chief Marketing Officers, and Vice Presidents of Sales and Marketing who are looking to create amazing brand experiences while accelerating growth.

Frank is also the Host of The Digital Utopia Podcast and Author of Building Your Digital Utopia, which details a concept he pioneered to help brands create digital experiences that systematically accelerate growth. Prior to founding his first agency, he worked in sales and marketing with Tandy, AT&T, and other technology companies. He is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and regularly volunteers his talents to the San Diego AMA, while mentoring young people in the areas of strategy, sales, and marketing.

Frank Cowell, the CEO of Digitopia, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast where he explains how he pivoted his agency from a project-based business model to a recurring services model. Frank also talks about the mistakes he made during that transition, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned. He also shares his tips for maintaining a low client churn rate. Stay tuned.


Wendy Lieber is the Co-founder of ContentBacon, an inbound marketing company that helps build brands that people know, like, trust, and buy from. She has a passion for helping customers figure out and communicate their “why” that resonates with target audiences.

Wendy also talks to entrepreneurial communities frequently about the power of storytelling. She is a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs'​ Organization (EO) and previously served as President of Athena Marketing. She holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BA in Marketing from Florida State University - College of Business.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Wendy Lieber, the Co-founder of ContentBacon, about shifting a business’ operations from a boutique agency model to a subscription model. Wendy talks about building her inbound marketing company, the challenges she often faces with changing technology, and the strategies she uses to find and retain good employees. Stay tuned.


Brent Beshore is the Founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, a firm that invests with no intention of selling in family-held companies. With a current capital base in excess of $300 million, the firm's current portfolio includes companies in aerospace, niche construction, manufacturing and distribution, consumer products, recruitment, and niche professional services.

Brent is also the author of The Messy Marketplace: Selling Your Business in a World of Imperfect Buyers. He lives in Columbia, Missouri with his wife and three daughters. 

Brent Beshore, the Founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, is John Corcoran's guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast where they talk about investing in small family-owned businesses. Brent explains what he looks for when investing in such companies, his strategies for overcoming post-acquisition challenges, and how his company's three-decade lock period works. Stay tuned.


Chris Westfall is a business coach, keynote speaker, consultant, and author who helped launch over 60 businesses, raising over $100 million in capital investment. Entrepreneurs, executives, and future leaders turn to Chris for guidance on peak performance, team building, business development, branding, and more.

Chris is the Champion of the US National Elevator Pitch, a competition challenging students to make a convincing and engaging “Elevator Pitch” to an Angel Investor. He is recognized as a Top 10 Business Coach and regularly works with Fortune 500 Companies and high-impact leaders, as well as top-tier universities, to deliver insights into powerful leadership communication strategies. His clients have appeared on Shark Tank, Dragons’ Den in Canada, and Shark Tank Australia.  

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by business coach, author, speaker, and consultant Chris Westfall to talk about his journey from being a professional stunt man to becoming a renowned business coach. Chris also shares his experience in the Elevator Pitch competition, how his coaching helped many clients, and his tips for making an impact authentically.


Jason Rosenbaum is a Partner and COO at Crowd Favorite, a digital transformation company that provides software development solutions to established and startup brands. Founded in 2007, Crowd Favorite was an original WordPress agency focused primarily on enterprise clients. Over a decade later, they have evolved into a multi-discipline, digital consulting firm specializing in enterprise-grade digital strategy and elite open source development.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Jason Rosenbaum, a Partner and COO at Crowd Favorite, about building a digital agency and the lessons learned from doing M&A rollups. Jason also talks about his acting background, building a cannabis business, and how Crowd Favorite has changed over the years. Stay tuned.


Kelly Campbell is an Agency Growth Consultant and Conscious Leadership Coach helping creative and technology leaders transform their lives and grow their agencies. She is the Co-founder of Consciousness Leaders, a global collective of experts helping organizations create positive, lasting change. 

Kelly is also the host of the podcast, THRIVE: Your Agency Resource, and is currently authoring her first book on redefining leadership as a healing journey.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Kelly Campbell, the Co-founder of Consciousness Leaders, about how she started her businesses and her journey to becoming a consciousness coach. Kelly shares her reasons for selling her business, the lessons she learned about entrepreneurship and building an agency, and explains how she uses her experience to help fellow entrepreneurs build better businesses. Stay tuned.


Brett Harned formed the Bureau of Digital and founded the Digital PM Summit, which was the first annual digital project managers conference. He is also a Digital Project Management Consultant at Digital PM Consulting, LLC, where he works with teams to build processes and communication tactics that work for their projects, people, and clients. Brett has worked with major clients such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Zappos, MTV, Alaska Air, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to name a few.

Brett’s previous roles include Director of Education at TeamGantt, Vice President of Project Management at Happy Cog, and Senior PM at Razorfish. Today, he speaks at events all over the world, writes for popular websites and publications, and can be heard on his podcast, Sprints & Milestones. He is the author of Project Management for Humans, which was published in July 2017.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Brett Harned, the Founder of the Digital PM Summit, to talk about project management. Brett discusses the origin of the Bureau of Digital, building the community, the best practices of putting together events, and tools in the digital project management space today. He also shares how he got a community of leaders together, some of the people who helped make his projects possible, and how you can be a good community citizen.


Karl Sakas is an Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at his firm, Sakas & Company, where he helps digital agency owners take control of their business so they can conquer growing pains and increase profits. Referred to as the “agency therapist” by his clients, Karl has helped hundreds of agency owners worldwide find a passion for their work again. Karl started doing business more than 20 years ago as a high school student, where he helped nonprofits and small businesses in the DC area build websites.

Karl is a fourth-generation business owner, which motivated him to turn his skills into an agency. He’s also the author of several books, with his most notable work being Made to Lead.  Outside of his work at Sakas & Company, Karl volunteers as a Past President of AMA Triangle and as a bartender on a 1930s railroad car.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Karl Sakas, an Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas & Company, to discuss how to successfully run an agency. Karl explains project management and account management and how to approach each in an agency setting. He also talks about the pod agency model, client concentration problem, and the two possible ways to manage business risks when diversifying.

Direct download: Karl_Sakas_Top_Agency_Series_Strategies_for_Building_a_Powerful_Agency.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Diana Chapman is a Founding Partner of the Conscious Leadership Group and the co-author of the best-selling book The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. She has worked with over 1,000 different organization leaders and many of their teams to grow in self-awareness and eliminate drama in the workplace. She facilitates leadership forums around the bay area for founders, VCs, and CEOs, including YPO forums and YPO chapters worldwide. 

Diana also co-leads a training school for coaches who want to learn how to facilitate her coaching models. She has been a speaker in a number of different places including Mindful Leadership Summit, Wisdom 2.0, Stanford Graduate School, Haas School of Business, and YPO.

Diana Chapman, a Founding Partner of the Conscious Leadership Group, joins John Corcoran in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast to talk about helping organizations and their teams eliminate drama in the workplace. Diana also explains why she formed the Conscious Leadership Group and how she has been working with clients during the pandemic. Stay tuned.


Jon Bast is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of OptiAuto and T3 Marketing. OptiAuto is a website provider for car dealerships while T3 Marketing is a performance marketing agency that focuses on helping dealers optimize car demand. They follow Google Design guidelines to develop the most optimal websites in order to ensure great user experiences. 

Prior to that, Jon was a Senior Manager of Marketing and Traffic Acquisition at Autotrader US and Director of National Partnerships at Force Marketing. He also worked as an Internet Marketing Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Naples and was a Search Engine Marketing Strategist and Account Manager at Haystak Digital Marketing. He is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Jon Bast, the Co-founder and Managing Partner of OptiAuto and T3 Marketing, about Jon’s experience building a car dealership marketing agency. They discuss the value of being part of business communities, how marketing for car dealerships has evolved over the years, and why Jon didn't want to work in the corporate world. Stay tuned.

Direct download: Jon_Bast_Top_Agency_Series_From_Murphy_Bed_Sales_to_Finding_a_Niche.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his own podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews. Dr. Weisz also founded a nutritional supplement business and continues to run his own chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz, his Co-founder at Rise25, to discuss the five types of thought leadership content to create for a podcast. They explain what a thought leadership episode is, talk about the benefits of these types of content, and explain how they create these episodes for their own podcasts. Stay tuned.


Paul Orfalea is the Founder of the Kinko's retail chain, which was founded in Isla Vista, California in 1970. The Kinko's concept was sparked in 1969 when Paul, then a student at the University of Southern California (USC), noticed his fellow students lining up at a copy machine in a library, so he saw an opportunity there. He borrowed $5,000 from a local bank and rented a 100-square foot space next to a hamburger stand near UC Santa Barbara. This tiny Kinko's with a single copier became a huge global brand with 1,000 stores internationally and $2 billion in annual sales. Much of the success can be traced back directly to Paul's unique business philosophy, which was based on his free-thinking creative style. 

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Paul Orfalea, the Founder of Kinko's, about how he started and scaled the Kinko's retail chain brand from one location to over 1,000 before selling it. Paul shares the lessons he learned in his entrepreneurial journey, talks about his theory of management, and explains how he transitioned to academic and philanthropic endeavors. Stay tuned.