Day In A Canoe Podcast

In this episode, Nathan and Bill Emerson discuss: Bill’s upbringing, college days at Penn State and lessons learned from his father. How team sports shapes people. Bill’s journey from loan officer to CEO of Quicken Loans. Leadership insight, the importance of serving others and what motivates Bill today.         Key Takeaways: You don’t have to be the most talented, you just have to work harder than everyone else.   Effort, energy, and sacrifice is required if you want to be great. Everything starts with the people on your team and your relationships with them. Focus on removing obstacles for the people you are leading. Give in any capacity you can because it is the right thing to do.       "When you take team members and empower them to be part of the solution, you can do anything." — Bill Emerson     Connect with Bill Emerson: Bill Emerson, Vice Chairman Quicken Loans & Rock Holdings, Inc. 1050 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 800 863-4332   Twitter – @BillEmerson Quicken Loans website - ww

In this episode, Nathan and Kim Laughton discuss: Kim’s role at Schwab Charitable How donor-advised funds work Charitable giving trends Kim’s career track and what fuels her mission to increase giving at Schwab Charitable Advice Kim would give to her 20-year-old self.   Key Takeaways: Every dollar matters and everyone can make an impact by giving to charity. Start giving early in life, even if it is volunteer time rather than money. You can have it all, but not necessarily all at the same time. Figure out what you want in life, be patient and don’t compromise. Embrace optimistic realism – look forward to the future, but be grounded in your present.   "It’s the marrying of the heart and the mind, when it comes to giving, that can make it the most satisfying." — Kim Laughton   Connect with Kim Laughton: Kim Laughton, President Schwab Charitable 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Email – Kim.Laughton@schwabcharitable.org Company Website – www.schwabcharitable.org   Connect with Nathan Mersereau: Phone:

In this episode, Nathan and Liz Hwang discuss: How Liz learned entrepreneurship from a young age while watching her parents. Liz’s passion for helping entrepreneurial women. The power of conversation and mentorship. Advice Liz would give her 20-year-old self.   Key Takeaways: You have to be quick to adapt to the changing environments in the business world. Put your family first, but don’t forget about the importance of your business. The quality of connection, not the quantity, is what is important in all of your relationships. Have an understanding of your consumer to better develop your brand.     "Entrepreneurship has a way to make a better world for everyone in it." — Liz Hwang   Connect with Liz Hwang:   Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Modern-Essentials-512755192549097/ Website:  www.jacksonbags.com & www.modernessentialsdesign.com Email:  liz.hwang@jacksonbags.com LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/lizzehwang/    Connect with Nathan Mersereau: Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nat

In this episode, Nathan, Greg Friedman, and Shaun Kapusinski discuss: How Greg and Shaun came together to write The Financial Advisor M & A Guidebook. What drives a firm to consider M & A. How M & A can fuel growth plus facilitate succession planning. How people and culture define success.   Key Takeaways: Technology integration is critical in any M&A transaction. Don’t underestimate the need for frequent communication and ongoing recognition during and after a M & A transaction.  Invest the time up front to clarify roles, define transition steps and set expectations. Be prepared for the unexpected.   "M&A (mergers and acquisitions) is a pathway and opportunity for growth and succession planning." — Greg Friedman   Book: The Financial Advisor M&A Guidebook: Best Practices, Tools, and Resources for Technology Integration and Beyond by Greg Friedman and Shaun Kapusinski Connect with Greg Friedman: Greg Friedman, Founder, CEO and President Private Ocean 100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite

In this episode, Nathan and Kathy Laurinaitis discuss:  Balancing being mother of Nikki and Brie on the Total Bellas TV show and Managing Partner of JBN & Associates.  Kathy's career path and milestones.  What it’s like for Kathy to have her life showcased on a reality TV show.  Advice Kathy would give to a 20-year-old self.      Key Takeaways:  We learn through the challenges that are thrown at us.  Let go and don’t worry about being judged.  Allow yourself to feel pain and reflect. Understand that bad days are part of the process and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Take care of yourself – health is first – and enjoy the ride.       "Surround yourself with the right people." — Kathy Laurinaitis      Connect with Kathy Laurinaitis:   Kathy Colace Laurinaitis, Managing Partner & Founder  JBN & Associates, LLC  11111 North Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ  85254  Twitter – @KathyColace  Personal LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/kathycolace/  Company Website

In this episode, Nathan and De Lacy Davis discuss:           The importance of teaching young people financial literacy.             How becoming a police officer inspired De Lacy to give back to his community.           The importance of mentorship and building the next generation.           The signs of a great leader.     Key Takeaways:           There is a hunger and need for children in poverty to access financial literacy tools and resources.              The goal of servant leadership is to serve.           Judge yourself by the leaders you helped create.           Ask yourself, “What is my purpose? Am I fulfilling my purpose? What is my most recent evidence?”   "It gets me excited to see the impact of the lives I’ve touched." — De Lacy Davis     Connect with De Lacy Davis:   Twitter: @delacydavis       Website: familyorgdirectory.fmhi.usf.edu Blog: delacydavis.blogspot.com   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:     Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com

In this episode, Nathan and Leslie discuss:           The process of creating effective brand strategies.             The Easy Button story.           The challenges of balancing work and family.           Advice for a 20 year-old Leslie.     Key Takeaways:         A mistake brands make is thinking they are competing against competitors, but they are actually competing against any choice available to a consumer.         When you’re in a project and you don’t feel success, power through.         If you don’t take yourself too seriously, magic can happen.         Don’t compare, play your own game, enjoy the process.     "Tackle big problems with great people." — Leslie Sims     Connect with Leslie Sims:   LinkedIn: @LeslieSims   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:     Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com Twitter: @NathanMersereau LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau Address: 36800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304   Show Notes by Podcastologist/Show

In this episode, Nathan and Bernie discuss:               How Bernie helps Schwab oversee $1.6 trillion dollars in custody assets.                 Bernie’s career track in the investment industry.               Leadership lessons learned, the role of mentors, and the importance of surrounding yourself with great people.               What opportunities Bernie sees for the future.      Key Takeaways:        Amassing great teams filled with diversity builds a strong business.               Mentors are available at all stages of life.               Deal with problems head on. Bad news is best early and in great detail.        Don’t limit yourself. Embrace a growth mindset that can lead you to places you could never have imagined.     "It’s the people around us that make us great." — Bernie Clark     Connect with Bernie Clark:   Website: https://www.aboutschwab.com/leadership/bernard-clark    LinkedIn: @bernie-clark   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:     Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: n

In this episode, Nathan and Amanda discuss: What attracts people to lululemon.       Amanda's global career journey at lululemon. How vision and goals create a possibility mindset. Amanda's experience of moving out of a place of fear and into a place of trust. How the practice of yoga allows you to show up for yourself. Key Takeaways: Be comfortable with self-inquiry - comparison to others gets in our way. Focus on the similarities we have with others, not the differences. Give without expecting anything in return. Set goals that are relevant for yourself and your values. Don't let fear of failure prevent you from pursuing possibilities.   "Anything is possible." — Amanda Casgar   Connect with Amanda Casgar: Website: www.lululemon.com    LinkedIn: #amanda-casgar   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:   Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com Twitter: @NathanMersereau LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau Address: 36800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI 4830

In this episode, Nathan and Nikki Raimi discuss:        Nikki’s life and career path.          Networking companies and how they work.        How Nikki went from a teacher, to a stay at home mom, to a running her own business.        Lessons learned in being true to yourself and empowering others.     Key Takeaways:        Making a clear plan and setting goals are the key.        Stay true to yourself and take risks. Empower yourself, empower others.          Being authentic is the key to success and connecting to other people.        Know your ‘Why?’     "My life is built on relationships." — Nikki Raimi     Connect with Nikki Raimi LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-raimi Facebook Personal - www.facebook.com/nraimi Email - nraimi0712@gmail.com       Connect with Nathan Mersereau:     Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com Twitter: @NathanMersereau LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau Address: 36800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304   Show N

Alexis Glick: CEO of GENYOUth   In this episode, Nathan and Alexis Glick discuss: What motivates Alexis as CEO of GENYOUth Alexis’ journalism career track through CNBC, The Today Show and Fox Business Network Her favorite interview. Lessons learned from her experience in journalism, philanthropy and leadership.     Key Takeaways: Everyone has a role to play to give back to society. Take opportunities to try new things and expand your horizons. Preparation is critical. Nurture relationships, stay connected, serve those around you.     "There is no perfect time. Now is the time.” — Alexis Glick     Connect with Alexis Glick:   Twitter:  @AlexisGlick Website:  www.genyouthnow.org Website: www.alexisglick.com LinkedIn: Alexis Glick   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:   Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com Twitter: @NathanMersereau LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau Address: 36800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304   Show Notes by Podcastologist/Sh

  Devlin Fenton: CEO of Go99     In this episode, Nathan and Devlin discuss:  - Go99’s vision of being the Uber of the trucking industry.  -Devlin's path from South Africa to Vancouver.  -Common themes Devlin has observed in business.  -How investing in your people pays dividends.  -What Devlin is looking forward to.           Key Takeaways:     -Have the right people on your bus. Make sure the right people are doing the job that best suits their skillset and behaviors.  -Everyone has a skill, but behavior and habits that will impact success the most.  -There’s no such as thing as the right time, the right politics, the right economic state, just do it. - -Look for problems to solve.  -Find the balance between being all in and working hard, but living a fulfilled life.        "If you’re young and hungry and you want to go out and make something, don’t wait for the perfect time, just go do it." — Devlin Fenton        Connect with Devlin Fenton:     CEO - Go99  38 Fell

  Rumia Ambrose-Burbank: Co-Founder and President of VMS365     In this episode, Nathan and Rumia Ambrose-Burbank discuss:  -How VMS365 - Vendor Management Solutions 365 - started and its focus today.  -Rumia's background, career path, and milestones.  -Challenges of being a female minority business owner.  -What motivates Rumia today and why she wants to give back.     Key Takeaways:  -Be self-reflective – be willing to take the advice, or at least consider the advice, you are given by your mentors  -Be around people who are focused, or you won’t be focused.  -Have resolve to work and do a good job.  -The world isn’t going to change and morph around you in a day, so sometimes you need to adjust to survive  -Don’t be afraid to say yes if you think you can do something. Do everything you can to figure out how to do it.     "At the end of the day, it’s relationships. And you can’t build a relationship until people are comfortable." — Rumia Ambrose-Burbank     Connect with Rumia:  LinkedIn: Ru

Ruth Zukerman: Co-Founder of SoulCycle and Flywheel   In this episode, Nathan and Ruth Zukerman discuss: How spinning can be a cathartic mind-body experience. Ruth's career path, milestones and lessons learned. Ruth's launch of her book:  Riding High What Ruth would tell young female entrepreneurs.    Key Takeaways:  People carry stresses and baggage throughout the day. Look for ways to offload these issues for yourself. Things don't always go the way you plan. Everything doesn't need a fix in the moment. We are constantly reinventing ourselves as we go through our life and career. Make sure you really, truly, believe in your business idea. Make sure it inspires you and there will be no doubt it will inspire others.   "When you’re going through a difficult time and when you are experiencing failure of something, it’s so important to know that sometimes you just have to sit with the discomfort, and sit with the failure, and sit with all the thoughts that come with it and not necessarily do anything in that

Mark Tibergien: CEO, Pershing Advisor Solutions    In this episode, Nathan and Mark Tibergien discuss:  BNY Mellon and Pershing Advisor Solutions. The importance of organizational adaptation to change. Mark’s career path and milestones. The importance of people management. Making an impact through financial literacy. Key Takeaways:  Find ways to differentiate. Focus on who you serve instead of what you sell. The greatest experience you’ve had anywhere is the same experience you want everywhere.  If you are going to be building an organization with superior talent, you first must be conscious of the nature of the work. Be clear what excellence looks like in each position. You cannot motivate people, you can only demotivate them.  Commit to things that you believe will make a lasting impact.    "Your best employee is more important than your most important client." — Mark Tibergien    Connect with Mark Tibergien:    Twitter:   @MarkTibergien  Website:   www.pershing.com/biographies/mark-tibergien  Email:   

Jason Raznick: CEO & Founder of Benzinga   In this episode, Nathan and Jason Raznick discuss:   What is Benzinga and who they serve. How the Benzinga name was created. Jason's career path and milestones. How Jason navigates hiring and growth. Three words describing Jason's startup journey.   Key Takeaways: Look to solve problems with ideas, content and planning. Having a great team in place is key to building a successful company.  Don't stress over things you can't control.  Jason’s 3-step test: best case scenario, worse case, what are obstacles? Focus on how you can impact your outcome by setting goals. It is okay to fail. Just do better the next day.     "You have to ignore the noise and focus on what you can impact." — Jason Raznick   Connect with Jason Raznick:   Twitter:  @JasonRaznick Website: https://www.benzinga.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonraznick/ Phone: (877) 440-3464 Address: Benzinga One Campus Martius Suite 200 Detroit, MI 48226     Connect with Nathan Mersereau:   P

Stuart DePina: Group President Envestnet | Tamarac   In this episode, Nathan and Stuart DePina discuss:  How Envestnet | Tamarac differentiates itself. Stuart's career path and milestones.  Lessons learned through determination, opportunities and failure. The Tamarac story and Great by Choice book.  Stuart's motivation and what he'd tell a 20 year old self.    Key Takeaways:  Be curious. Always look for solutions to advance the organization and mission. Some of the best learnings come out of failure. Not every metric is meaningful. Know what is important to measure.  Stay narrow, stay focused and stay disciplined to differentiate your company. Make sure your people understand that they matter.   "What drives me every day is getting up and helping people be successful.” — Stuart DePina    Connect with Stuart DePina:     Stuart DePina, Group President Envestnet | Tamarac 701 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor Seattle, WA 98104   Chicago (Headquarters) 35 East Wacker Dr., 24th Floor Chicag

Howard Behar: Former President of Starbucks   In this episode, Nathan and Howard Behar discuss: How did the servant leadership model evolve in Howard's story? Howard's career journey. What is servant leadership all about? How mentors are important to have in every aspect of life.   Key Takeaways: Servant leadership is putting others agenda above your own. Anything you set your mind to you can accomplish. It doesn't matter what your politics are it is not okay to put people down. You get the most out of people when you respect and inspire them. Servant leadership is about actions not words.    "Everyday I want to nurture and inspire the human spirit beginning with myself first and then others." — Howard Behar    Connect with Howard Behar: Website: http://howardbehar.com/  Email:  HB@Howardbehar.com Book: Howard's fist book- It's Not About the Coffee Howard's New Book- The Magic Cup   Connect with Nathan Mersereau: Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinacanoe.com Email: nathan@dayinacanoe.com Twitter: @Na

Tanya Hall: CEO, Greenleaf Book Group       In this episode, Nathan and Tanya Hall discuss:      How Greenleaf Book Group helps authors get published.  What motivated Tanya to publish Ideas, Influence and Income.  What components are necessary for a successful book launch.  Tanya’s career path, lessons learned and principles applied.      Key Takeaways:    Authors should pick the right partners to ensure their project is successful.  If you want to advance your ideas, look to solve a problem in a new way or bring a fresh perspective to light.  Engage your team around core values.     "Look for ways to create constant growth.” — Tanya Hall   Connect with Tanya Hall:   Twitter:  @tanyahall  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Greenleaf-Book-Group-104627692032/ Website:  https://greenleafbookgroup.com/ Email:  contact@greenleafbookgroup.com  Book:  IDEAS, INFLUENCE, AND INCOME LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyajhall/       Connect with Nathan Mersereau:   Phone: 248-645-1520 Website: www.dayinaca

Ellyn Davidson: President, Brogan & Partners   In this episode, Nathan and Ellyn Davidson discuss: Who is Brogan & Partners. Pivotal moments in Ellyn's career. How a mentor influenced Ellyn. How dealing with cancer created a new perspective on life.     Key Takeaways: Focus on creating a healthy culture when you take over a business. As a mentor, allow the mentee to do things on their own, but be available when they need your help. Do not micromanage your employees; instead guide your employees. Don't sweat the small stuff.       "We should never take ourselves too seriously but we should take our clients very seriously.” — Ellyn Davidson      Connect with Ellyn Davidson:   Twitter:  @ellynd Phone Number:  (248) 341- 8211 Website: https://brogan.com Email:  EDavidson@brogan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/broganpartners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BroganSpots LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellyndavidson/   Connect with Nathan Mersereau:    Pho