Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do

Motivational business speaker Meridith Elliott Powell has a cutting-edge message, rooted in real-life examples and real-world knowledge. She is passionate about helping her clients and audiences turn uncertainty to competitive advantage. You laugh and learn as she walks you through the business growth, sales and leadership strategies you need to succeed no matter what this marketplace does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The speaker for the April 8th Association for Corporate Growth luncheon in Austin was to be Alan Knitowski, CEO and co-founder of Phunware.  Because of the COVID-19 situation, ACG Austin/San Antonio had to cancel their live events for the short term, but they wanted to ensure they could still provide quality local content to their members and extended community. This interview with Alan is an hour long masterclass in success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 550 of “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” is co-produced in partnership with the Austin Technology Council, the largest tech industry organization in Central Texas. ATC empowers members through insights, resources, and connections so their members can succeed and thrive. This episode is an in-depth interview with Amber Gunst, CEO of the Austin Technology Council.  In this episode she talks about the state of Austin's technology community in the face of the global Coronavirus pandemic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer was recently introduced to the books by Gino Wickman and became a big fan.  Traction and The Entrepreneurial Leap both got him fired up about his business.  So he had to reach out and get Gino on the podcast.   In this crazy time with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic they talked a lot about business and growth and how to shift. Gino is on a crusade to help entrepreneurs, and just after recording this episode he began a free 16 day challenge (that Thom has joined in on).   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we all deal with the impact of COVID-19 and "Social Distancing", retail stores are heavily impacted.  In many cities and states non-essential stores are having to close their doors and look for creative ways to survive.  In this episode Thom Singer has an in-depth conversation with Amy Saldanha, the owner of kiddywampus, a specialty toy store in Minneapolis, MN.  Amy is also the incoming chair for the American Specialty Toy Store Association (ASTRA). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 547 is an in-depth conversation with Ian Lobas about change and reinvention.  We all face change, and how we jump in and embrace it helps us get to new highs.  Ian is a perfect example of doing this and finding success.   A successful Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, Podcast Host, Speaker, and full time High Performance Coach, Ian Lobas absolutely loves life.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The speaker for the March 31st Association for Corporate Growth luncheon in San Antonio was to be Lisa Fullerton, President and CEO of A Novel Idea.  Because of the COVID-19 situation, ACG Austin/San Antonio had to cancel their live events for the short term, but they wanted to ensure they could still provide content to their members and extended community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world has changed a lot in just the last week.  For Episode 545 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" we will focus on leading through crisis with Mary Kelly.  This is important for business leaders, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and everyone.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 544 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" is a wonderful interview with entrepreneur Tucker Max.  You may have heard of Tucker in the past.  He came to fame about 19 years ago with a funny email to friends (that went viral) where he lambasted the law firm where he was a summer clerk.  He was fired a week later, but not because of the letter (you have to hear the real reason). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eliz Greene is the author of the new book, “Stress-proof Your Heart" and a leading expert on leadership in times of uncertainty and overwhelm.  She joins the conversation on episode 543 of Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do to talk about how business leaders can manage their stress and that of their employees and customers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The meetings industry is being hit hard and fast by event cancellations in the wake of the Coronavirus. For many there is a panic on what to do if their participants cannot come or the whole convention is cancelled.  How to un a virutal meeting is being talked about all across the world.  But hosting a virtual event is not simply livestreaming speakers or holding a webinar.  You have to do it right if you want to engage your audience.   As a keynote speaker and professional master of ceremonies / emCee, Thom Singer is trying to monitor all that is occurring in the meetings industry.  Thom knows a little about virtual events (he and Eliz Green have hosted several events with their "Conference Talk Show" product)... but Thom knows that if you want to really be informed you have to talk to the experts.  Thom always says "Success Leaves Clues" so he turned to the leader in the world of virtual conferences, Jim Parker.  Jim has been working with live events for 35 years, and began live streaming conferences 11 yea

Episode 541 of “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” is co-produced in partnership with the Austin Technology Council, the largest tech industry organization in Central Texas. ATC empowers members through insights, resources, and connections so their members can succeed and thrive. This episode is an in-depth interview with Steve Meier, Co-Founder and Chief Creativity Officer for KungFu.AI. Check out this conversation about life, entrepreneurship, and Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 540 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" Thom Singer talks about the business of speaking and the meetings industry in the face of the spread of the Coronavirus. While live meetings bring people together, in the face of a possible pandemic, many companies and associations are canceling their conferences.  This impacts more than the hosts and the attendees.  There are many types of vendors (maybe about 50 per event) that earn their living from serving live events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 539 Thom Singer sits down and eats amazing barbeque with one of the owners of LeRoy and Lewis.  Saywer Lewis shares her entrepreneur journey as Thom eats, and eats, and eats.  No matter where you live, you know that Austin is famous for two foods, Tacos and BBQ.  Today we talk BBQ (but it is such a great interview, Thom will soon be seeking a Taco Entrepreneur to be on the show). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Thom Singer lead a "Brain Power" session at a large industry conference with 400 participants. The idea is to change up the general session to not just be another talking head keynote.  At live meetings and all industry conferences there are many speakers on the main stage and in the breakout sessions, but across the board participants often cite the impromptu hallway conversations as some of the best parts of attending an event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Shay is the Chairman and co-founder of Signature Bank of New York, which started with no deposits and has become a $50 billion bank. Before founding the bank, he also had a successful career on Wall Street.  Most recently he has released a new book, "In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism" On episode 537 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do", Scott shares his entrepreneurial journey and talks about how people can find their own success.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 536 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do", host Thom Singer does a quick catch up about the podcast and his career.  He also shares some tips from his keynote speech "The Secret Weapon: Connecting with People in a Gadget-Crazed World".  Are you choosing people in this busy would full of distractions? Do you continue to build your network? Is your network diverse?  Are you adding people.  These are just a few questions he provides to make you think about your own secret weapon (your network). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reuben Abootorabi is an award-winning hunter who loves getting "the impossible" meetings for his clients with decision makers they are dying to meet. Modelled on the high touch and relationship centric Creative Artist Agency in Hollywood, Reuben founded The Austin Agency to help the companies he works with win more business and outperform their competition. In spare time he loves to travel, read thought provoking books, and Texas two stepping at a local watering hole.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Citrin bridges the gap between business, psychology and entrepreneurship. He draws on his deep experience as a health care entrepreneur, clinical psychologist, corporate executive and leadership coach to present his insights and ideas in a practical and powerful manner that creates real change and success for his clients whether they are corporate executives or the small businessman trying to grow his or her enterprise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 533 of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" is co-produced in partnership with the Austin Technology Council, the largest tech industry organization in Central Texas. ATC empowers members by using insights, resources, and connections so their members can succeed and thrive. This episode is an in-depth interview with Mathias Ihlenfeld, the CEO and Founder of woom bikes USA . Check out this conversation about life, entrepreneurship, and Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices