Rounding The Bases With Joel Goldberg

Parker Graham was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State who nearly made the Baltimore Ravens.  He turned down a spot on the practice squad and became a financial advisor before deciding to start his own company to help people eliminate debt.  He formed the company Destiny Wealth, working at an incubator out of NBKC with Fountain City Fintech.  Company launched in January of 2019, and is already averaging a $3000 savings per year for users.  www.yourdestinyapp.comIG: ParkerGraham

Mariner Wealth Advisors founded in May 2006. Philosophy of "Client First, Employee Second, Shareholder Last." Acquisitions are black and white and show up on a spread sheet.  Cannot put culture on that spread sheet.Want uniqueness of expertise of advisor to come through over any company process.  No one right way to give advice. Important to measure the activities over the results. Same 3 starting company goals every year of retain clients, retain advisors and grow. 

Carlos grew up selling fruit for to help provide for his family as a kid in Honduras before deciding to move to the U.S. as a teenager alone.  He taught himself English, climbed the ranks of Dunkin Donuts in New York, eventually moved to Kansas City where he became a successful car salesman got married and started a family before being deported.  He returned 14 months later, became a U.S. citizen and now helps train others.  

Ryann Dowdy is a sales coach, coach, trainer & digital marketer working w/female entrepreneurs and small businesses, teaching them how to sell in a way that feels good for their organizations. She helps women see their true passion and better communicate what they are good at. Best books she’s read lately: Shonda Rhimes “Year of Yes,” and Gary Vaynderchuk’s “Crushing It.” Listens to podcasts like Kelly Roach’s “Unstoppable Success Radio,” Amy Porterfield’s “Online Marketing Made

Jeff a kid from W. Virginia who accomplished more than anyone expected but someone who feels he’s just getting started. 51 years old and hopefully the story is still to be written Building platform to left any American access taxes on their terms as easy as possible. Ccatch phrase is “Better Together” and “Clear Roles, Common Goals.” “There’s a slippery slope between tradition and irrelevance.” As leaders, need to honor the past but can’t stay in the past

CEO Lillian James Creative.  Full service marketing specializing in social media.Always bring up that she’s a single mom and don’t have college degree even if advised by others.  Still waiting to hit her home run.  Lot of big hits and lot to learn. Biggest mistake was hiring friends and family at the startThe most  important little thing is asking.  Never being afraid to ask. Hosts podcast called The Cocktail Hour cocktailhourpodcast.comCan find Aaron Fulk on LinkedIn.

World’s only museum dedicated to preserving the history of African American Baseball.  Some of greatest players ever.  Walk away from museum with greater appreciation of how great this company. Negro Leagues operated 20 years from 1920-1960Museum represents everything about our country.  America at its best and worst.  Not a story about adversity.  It’s about overcoming adversity.   Sorry that transcends race, age and gender.  www.nlbm.com.  At 18th and Vine in KC

Former Kansas City Royals Mike Sweeney, Reggie Sanders, Bret Saberhagen and Hall of Famer George Brett flew to the Middle East as part of a USO tour in September of 2018.  The behind the scenes look at what makes U.S. troops operate as a winning team included visits to multiple bases, highlighted by hundreds of service members gathered with the former players to watch a Royals game via satellite on September 11th for a night of baseball, food, camaraderie and stories. 

Lessons learned from interviews with business leaders and entrepreneurs about culture, teamwork and strategy while using examples and comparisons to sports.  Some of the top sound bites from season one and a preview of season two episode one and the impact of the military and leadership overseas in the Middle East.

Pat Williams believes there are so many lessons in sports that transfer to the corporate world.  Team builders can be learned from.  Pat has studied this topic for 30 years and spent 50 years as an NBA executiveTeamwork involves sacrifice, getting along with people.  “There’s an awful lot of caring.  There are an awful lot of people skills that are put into place and there’s respect, which leads to trust which leads to loyalty which leads to love which leads to friendship.”

Josh Herron is the CEO of a company called Southwind, a management company for eight home service businesses.    One company is 1-800 Got Junk. Another is You Move Me.  Began with 1-800 Got Junk as a summer college job.   Josh's success in taking other people's junk is less about the junk and more about people and development.  Most important thing they can do is provide opportunities for future entrepreneurs, with goal of turning people into awesome business leaders. 

Grandfather started company in 1924 based on the values he lived by. Terry started in 1974. Transition in 80s as he moved into senior executive role. $80M company. 1985 through 2000 put business plan on place to become a billion dollar business. As CEO, made mistakes but need to stay at 30,000 feet and keep antanae out. Person in executive position, it’s 90% listening, 10% talking.  You learn by listening and from quiet period of reflection.   Culture will  beat strategy every time. 

WeWork Carrigan Station in Kansas City is a coworking office space with multiple floors in an old garment building.  It features nonprofits, startups, and many other companies.  www.wework.com

He started as newspaper reporter and then went into advertising and marketing. Was performing stand-up comedy on weekends . Combined the two. Focus on increasing passion, bringing stress downAll about choice and attitude. Staying in the game. As long as you stay in the game, you will find a way to be successful. About goals, obstacles, staying in the game and not quitting on your goals. Try new things, work hard, do more to stay in the game.Joelzeff.com

There are so many similarities between the sports world and the medical field, especially baseball. Both industries rely heavily on a team. Both involve superstars (doctors, home run hitters, etc) and incredible behind the scenes role players. University of Kansas Health System CEO Bob Page helped his organization transform into a champion in the same way the Kansas City Royals emerged from last place to first place.

Luke Wade wanted to find a place for his friends to play sports in downtown Kansas City. What started as a fun hobby turned into a successful and growing business with multiple activities throughout the area.

Professional Chats started with need in family orthodontic practice managing online chat and couldn’t find vendor to do excellent job interacting with patients. Launched a service for orthodontics. Began with lead generation in mind but having quality people that could answer questions became important for generating revenue and brand recognition. 150 clients after first year. Started with 1 employee, at 70 now and hope to be at 150-200

Alphapointe is a not for profit founded in 1911 with mission to provide employment and rehabilitation for people who are blind. Goal of helping people who are blind find sustainable jobs for themselves and their family. Serve close to 2,000 people a year. Also have sewing operation providing uniforms for the military, tourniquets, office products, writing instruments and injection molding for prediction bottles for the VA and Express Scripts.

US Engineering is a mechanical contractor.Started as metal working shop in the 1850s in Germany and moved to the US in the late 1800s when they moved to KC. Tyler studied languages, classics, political science in Vermont. Father passed away in 1997 and the company passed out of the family for the first time. Tyler decided to come home to KC in 2005 and started working for US Engineering and started learning about the company and construction. Eventually became project manager, learned the business.

Erica Brune is CEO of Lever One, a PEO providing payroll, employee benefits and employee relation issues for clients. Thought would be broadway star, worked in NYC acting & at a law firm. Grew career organically. Aggressive traits she has now in the business world are the same she had deep inside her when looking for acting jobs first think in the morning. Message to young professionals and teens: Don’t be afraid of hard work. Working hard is ok. It is the key to success. Can reach Erica at www.lever1.com