Intro To 7:47 Conversations Podcast

The first step to building anything is to simply start. Whether you're building a business, a house, or a gratitude practice, the only way it will grow is if you make the effort to begin each day.Casey Clark is an architect that helps entrepreneurs start living their life's passion.Casey is the co-founder and CEO of Cultivate Advisors, an advisory firm that helps take small businesses to the next level. Casey and his team have helped thousands of owners reach their growth objectives through core business skill development and scalable systemization. Casey’s mission with the company is to simply help business owners achieve their dreams and take back control.In this episode, Casey graciously shares with us how he scales businesses by building leaders.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Casey giving credit and thanks to both his Grandfather and Jim Sober (2:25)- When Casey's mindset shifted to being focused on impact (7:03)- Pursuing an entrepreneurial life of passion (9:30)- How Casey overcame and grew fr

One of the benefits of gratitude is that it shifts our focus from ourselves to those around us; it makes us humble. Humility paves the ground for servant leadership, which is all about recognizing you're not a self-made person.Brent McCarty is the definition of a true servant leader.Brent is the President of ESET North America. ESET is the pioneer of antivirus protection, with the global vision of enabling its users to enjoy the full potential of themselves and their technology in a secure digital world.Brent was kind enough to share with us his humble beginnings that became the roots of his leadership journey.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Brent giving credit and thanks to his dad, Bill, for being an exemplary role model (2:38)- How Brent's childhood impacted his leadership style (6:02)- What to do to let your employee's voices be heard (8:44)- Developing a bottom-up leadership style (10:42)- How to create a culture of innovation without sacrificing the quality of work (13:40)- Being a leader in 20

Exclusion hurts, but we all encounter it in our professional and personal lives. Everyone seeks to belong to something greater than themselves, but how do we find this belonging in our exclusion-filled, chaotic world?Erik Day is the advocate we all need to overcome exclusion.Erik is the Senior Vice President, Small Business at Dell Technologies, and the Global Executive Chair of the PRIDE Employee Resource Group at Dell Technologies. He is also the Board of Directors for Out and Equal Workplace Advocates.When his dream to become a minister in the Methodist church was taken away, Erik searched for a new platform to make a meaningful difference. He ultimately found Corporate America to be his stage to give a voice to the voiceless.Erik was gracious enough to share with us his story and his journey through leadership and advocacy.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Erik giving credit and thanks to both his husband, Craig, and corporate America (3:23)- How corporate America saved Erik's life (9:08)- The impo

There's a well-known quote that says, "Nothing great comes without risk". Our guest today knows this all too well.Christopher Gaeta has been pursuing his interests and turning them into his life's greatest passions since the age of 12.Christopher is a venture capital associate specializing in healthcare investments for VU Venture Partners. A contributor to CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, and Yahoo Finance, Gaeta has amassed one of the largest LinkedIn networks in the country for his age. Captain of the Men's Golf team at Swarthmore College, Gaeta, is also the first student at Swarthmore to be concurrently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine while still an undergraduate. He is a Stanford University Innovation Fellow and an alumnus of The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut.Christopher was gracious enough to take some time to share with us his successes and lessons from life so far.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Christopher giving

It can be hard to figure out what your dream is in life, and even harder to find the right path to take to achieve that dream.Chris McIntyre is the American Dream Maker. Chris's destiny is to help people experience their life's wildest dreams. Chris is the Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of EagleRider. EagleRider is the world's largest motorcycle rental, tour, and membership company, carrying the largest selection of new Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, BMW, Honda, Indian, and more for rent and touring. EagleRider operates from over 200 worldwide locations, leads over 100 guided and self-drive motorcycle tours including Route 66 and the Wild West, and convenient one-way motorcycle rentals, luggage storage, free parking, free use of DOT-approved helmets, excellent Club EagleRider membership benefits, and more.In this episode, Chris McIntyre dives deep and shares with us his passions and joys in life.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Chris giving credit and thanks to his wife, June, for always keeping hi

The ebb and flow of life is something we all are subjected to. Like the tides of the ocean or the phases of the moon, things in life naturally come and go.Lynne Capozzi is no stranger to life's ebb and flow.Lynne is the Chief Marketing Officer at Acquia and one of their boomerang stories, first serving as Acquia CMO in 2009. Lynne left Acquia in 2011 to pursue her nonprofit work full-time. She returned to Acquia in late 2016 to lead the marketing organization into its next stage of growth. Apart from work, Lynne is on the board of directors at the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust and runs a nonprofit through the hospital.Lynne was generous enough to share with us her boomerang story and her passion for community. Listen to this episode and learn about:- Lynne giving credit and thanks to her two life long best friends (3:00)- Lynne's experience being a "boomerang" at Acquia (5:32)- How Lynne got involved in the nonprofit sector (7:14)- How to balance a job with nonprofit work (11:50)- Giving the way

We all have ideas that make up our life's dream. But turning those aspirations into reality is the tricky part.John Miller is a master of making dreams come to life.John is CEO of Cali Group, a holding company focused on using new technologies to transform the restaurant and retail industries. Cali Group owns a global QSR restaurant chain, CaliBurger, and has major equity positions in Dive afDiliated technology companies (Super League Gaming, FunWall, Miso Robotics, PopID, and Kitchen United). Prior to founding Cali Group in 2011, John was an early employee at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (NADAQ: ARWR). John is currently servingas CEO at PopID.John gratefully shared with us about his family and work life and how he put his vision into existence.Listen to this episode and learn about:- John giving credit and thanks to his ex-wife, Caroline (2:34)- How John finds balance co-parenting through a pandemic (3:38)- John's strategy for combining his family life with his work life (5:11)- How to help children develop a p

Food and sales are the principal components of businesses and our lives.Mark Eggerding intertwines both of them in his life and career to spark learning, excellence, confidence, positivity, enthusiasm, creativity, and love.Mark is Vice President of Brand Activation at US Foods and the author of Mastering the Sales Recipe: Creating Memorable Customer Experiences and Sales Success.His love for selling and cooking began at a young age when his school teacher gave him the confidence to reach for his dreams, and when his grandmother taught him about the pots on the stove. Mark now uses his skills to help others find success in the food and sales industry. Mark was gracious enough to share his insights on selling, cooking, and success. Listen to this episode and learn about:- Mark giving credit to his Elementary school teacher, Mr. Kurt Gremel, for his encouragement, support, and guidance in helping Mark to participate in a speaking contest (2:53)- The origination of Mark's interests in speaking, selling, and cooki

Everyone has unique qualities and characteristics. It's what makes our wonderful world so diverse and exciting. But understanding how to harness your unique attributes and use them to propel you forward is what determines our success.Chris Adams is an expert at utilizing uniqueness to create a strong and diverse company culture.Chris is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Park Place Technologies, building one of the country's fastest-growing companies, with over 1,200 employees. He is also a Volunteer Teacher with Junior Achievement, and he sits on the board for United Way for Greater Cleveland and Friends of Breakthrough Schools.He forged his path to success by using his ADHD diagnosis as a tool for growth and connection. Diagnosed at a young age with what could have been viewed as a hindrance, he turned into a strength. Chris uses his unique capabilities to excel in his career and teaches others how to do the same.Chris took some time to share his life journey with us and how he transforms weakness

Failure - It's something we all face and struggle with. How we overcome our failures define who we become.Jeremy Harbour took his failure and turned it into humility. He learned that when you fail, you realize the rope was only inches off the ground.Jeremy is a serial investor and expert in Mergers & Acquisitions. He is also the founder of Unity Group, on which he’s advised on more than 300 acquisitions of both distressed and solvent businesses.He grew up driven to make an impact. Leaving school at the age of 15 to start his own business, which later failed and spurred his ambition to help small to medium-sized business entrepreneurs.Jeremy was kind enough to share with us his life story and the wisdom he has learned along the way.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Jeremy giving credit and thanks to his career guidance counselor at school (2:29)- What ignited Jeremy's drive (4:25)- How Jeremy overcame a failed business (8:50)- The importance of having humility when connecting and negotiating (12:44)

We all go through difficult times when growing up, but how we react to those times determine how we show up as adults.Narine Galstian took her childhood challenges and grew into a driven, curious, and open minded leader.Narine is one of the most promising CMO's in the technology sector, at the helm of the 14x - Inc. 500 Company, SADA. SADA was named Google Cloud Reseller Partner of the Year for 2018 and 2019. SADA was also named the Google Cloud Global Partner of the Year Award for 2018.Coming to the United States from Armenia at eight years old knowing zero English, she was able to find her voice and the confidence to use it through her love of learning. She now uses her voice to empower others and to lead with openness and curiosity.Narine was kind enough to share her childhood story and how it has shaped her into a driven and successful leader.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Narine giving credit to her ESL teacher, Ms. Abbott, for her inclusiveness, reassurance, and expressiveness (3:28)- Explana

Representation has always been important, especially in this day and age. Many people see the world in black and white, but there is more to life than that. There has been a constant need for a role model that sees in between the lines and is able to use their privilege (and burden) for good.Lori Cornmesser is the perfect example that embodies all these traits.Lori is a successful biracial woman who is also an accomplished Global Channel and Commercial Management Executive with more than 20 years of in-depth experience in managed services, computer networking, testing/measurement, and so much more.She didn't grow up with a silver spoon but she was able to learn valuable lessons from her parents that allowed her to be the successful businesswoman she is today. Lori was nice enough to discuss with us the people who have impacted her life, the social injustices of the world that she was privileged enough to not have to experience, and the burden of those injustices that she had to endure.Listen to this episode a

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success.Stephen Hightower is the perfect representation of the American Dream.Stephen is an experienced Chief Operating Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry.He grew up with humble beginnings but through persistence, drive, and determination, he was able to transform Hightowers Petroleum into the fast-growing, high achieving company that it is now. Don't be fooled because he didn't do it all by himself. Stephen was gracious enough to discuss with us the person that inspired him to be the successful entrepreneur he is today and how he's going to help change the world during the "new normal."Listen to this episode and learn about:- Giving his grandmother, Big Mama, credit for the company's success (2:03)- Stephen's childhood and Big Mamas' sacrifices (6:15)- How his grandparents were able to move into a segregated

Everyone wants to be the change they want to see in the world. To do that, you have to be a catalyst for your own growth, as well as for the people around you. Don't know where to start?Ozzie Nelson has the answers you need.Ozzie is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer and chairman of Nelson who has applied entrepreneurial skills to the design, architecture, and planning industry.Even though he is the second generation to have leadership within Nelson, he was the catalyst they needed to become the well-known, premier design firms that the world has ever known. Since he's been with the company, they have witnessed unprecedented growth, ascending to the third-largest provider of design and design-related services to corporate America.Ozzie was kind enough to discuss with us his thoughts on authenticity, vulnerability, and being the guide, not the hero. He also stresses the importance of being a catalyst for others' growth.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Giving credit to his wife, Shannon, for being

Everyone wants to have someone they look up to, someone who inspires them to become the best versions of themselves despite difficult circumstances. Jeff Bush is one of those people you can look up to.Jeff is a highly motivated, goal-oriented Operations Executive with an established history of exceeding goals in many areas. Despite growing up with his odds stacked against him, he was able to learn how to treat every moment like an opportunity which led him to become the current President of Parker's. What he lacked in resources, he gained in work ethic which is a value his father ingrained in him in his early years.Jeff was gracious enough to discuss with us his tough upbringing and the opportunities he had that led him to secure a job at Parker's — even though he wasn't looking for one.Listen to this episode and learn about:- Jeff giving credit to his father for setting him on his path to success (2:09)- Growing Up in Lewes, Delaware being the eldest of 7 brothers (3:02)- Lessons from His Father (4:39)- Bein

Claude Silver is VaynerMedia's Chief Heart Officer, the capstone of a career focused on guiding client relationships, global brand strategies, operations, and management. An abiding passion for creating spaces in which people can thrive defined her previous leadership positions at JWT London, Publicis London, SAYMedia, and Organic, among others.Connect with and find out more about Claude at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver

Ryan is a three-time entrepreneur who’s previous technology companies were successfully acquired by USA TODAY and Groupon. Now as the founder and CEO of Electric, Ryan is leveraging data and automation to deliver enterprise-grade IT services to small and midsize companies all over the US. Since founding in 2016, Electric has raised $39M and employs a team of 150 full-time employees across four offices in the US and abroad.Find out more about Ryan at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandenehy/

As CEO of Toffler Associates, Maria taps into deep experience with strategy development and execution, customer experience, business performance management, acquisition integration, and organizational transformation. Before joining Toffler Associates, Maria was a managing director at North Highland, overseeing media, entertainment, and communications industry. As the division president, she led the Data Analytics and Sparks Grove groups and directly contributed to the profitability and growth of the businesses. She was the executive advisor to the Managing Services division during its U.S. expansion and led the development of the Washington office. Her prior experience includes management consulting with Arthur Andersen Business Consulting and Ernst & Young, as well as roles at AllConnect and Litton Poly Scientific.Maria earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research as well as an MBA from Virginia Tech, and serves as an advisory board member for the ISE department. She holds a certificat

Lena Trudeau is CEO of U.Group, an advanced technology and creative design company committed to creating customer-centric innovation in the public and private sectors. An early advocate for government modernization, Lena spearheaded the creation of 18F, an in-house digital services team at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and brought a similar model to the Canadian Digital Service (CDS). Lena’s expertise was also tapped in the private sector as she led the Amazon Web Services Public Sector (AWS PS) global expansion, and headed up the AWS PS business in Canada.Lena currently serves as a board member on the Canadian American Business Council, and chairs the policy committee. She is a frequent commentator, speaker, and advocate on issues of digital adoption, digital inclusion, and women in technology. Lena received an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and an undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa.Find out more about Lena at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ltrudeau/

In 2010, Bryan and Shannon Miles felt a stirring from God. After experiencing the virtual assistant (VA) model for themselves, the couple was inspired to start their own business providing virtual support to busy leaders. After much prayer and due diligence, Bryan and Shannon followed God’s call and founded Miles Advisory Group. Within two months, they had signed four contracts with leaders in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Wyoming – generating a wave of momentum that continues to this day.MAG expanded the horizons of their VA service model in eaHELP to include MAG Bookkeeping, copywriting services, and web support services. In January 2017, the Miles AG suite (eaHELP, MAG Bookkeeping, Render and Ellipsis) came together under one name – BELAY. This name has a great deal of significance to their leaders because of its core meaning: To belay is to provide the support a climber needs to ascend...And that is precisely what they do for their clients.Their suite of services allows their clients to scale wit