Rerouted

In this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Abdullah Ikram, a university student and entrepreneur who transformed his personal experience with back pain into a successful business by designing an orthopedic pillow. Abdullah shares his journey from identifying a market need to navigating the complexities of product design, manufacturing, and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships, the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in business. Abdullah also discusses his future aspirations and the potential for market expansion beyond the UAE.Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: ReroutedProduct Link: https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0C85PYM29?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_RXV1SEFTC7DEPXE5J79CKeywordsentrepreneurship, orthopedic pillow, manufacturing, marketing, university student, business challenges, product design, Amazon FBA, UAE, back painTakeawaysAbdullah turned his personal struggle with back pain into a business opportunity.He designed an orthopedic pillow specifically for people with back pain.The journey of entrepreneurship involves making mistakes and learning from them.Finding a reliable manufacturer is crucial for product success.Abdullah emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships.Marketing strategies must adapt to different cultural contexts.Balancing academic responsibilities with business ambitions is challenging but essential.Setting deadlines for business goals helps maintain focus and direction.Collaboration with established entities can enhance credibility and market reach.Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial success.Sound bites"Comparison is the thief of joy.""You need capital to start off with this.""You have to document the whole thing."Chapters00:00 The Birth of an Idea: From Pain to Product03:25 Designing the Solution: The Creation Process06:22 Manufacturing Insights: Collaborating with Factories08:49 Navigating the Market: Finding the Right Audience11:37 Logistics and Fulfillment: The Amazon Model14:44 Growth Challenges: Learning from Experience17:31 Building Trust: The Importance of Reputation20:25 Future Directions: Setting Goals and Deadlines26:53 Exploring Market Differences: UAE vs. US29:34 Navigating Logistics and Market Entry34:23 The Importance of Local Knowledge in Business37:26 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship42:11 Funding Your Business: Lessons Learned44:44 Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey46:00 The Importance of Continuous Improvement47:50 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges

Follow, Rate, Like, Subscribe!SummaryIn this conversation, Aneesh discusses his journey as a startup founder and the mission of Learvo, an education technology company aimed at making learning more engaging and personalized. He shares insights from his first startup experience, the transition from sales to product management, and the importance of customer discovery in building a successful product. Aneesh also addresses the challenges of recruitment in startups, the impact of AI on education, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: ReroutedAneesh's Email: aneesh@learvo.comLearvo: learvo.comTakeawaysLearvo aims to make learning fun and motivating for students.Customer discovery is essential for validating startup ideas.Recruitment is a continuous process in startups.Adaptability is crucial for navigating the startup landscape.AI will play a significant role in the future of education.Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges in startups.Competition can drive innovation and improvement.Experimentation is necessary for growth and success.Understanding different learning modalities can enhance education.Seek diverse perspectives and advice to inform your journey.Sound bites"Experimentation is vital for growth.""Seek advice from various perspectives.""Find what motivates you and follow it."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Learvo and Its Mission02:45 Aneesh's Startup Journey: From College to Entrepreneurship06:12 Transitioning from Sales to Product Management09:03 The Impact of College Experiences on Startup Ideas12:09 Navigating the Job Market: Breaking into Product Management14:50 The Importance of Customer Discovery in Startups17:49 Recruitment Challenges in Early-Stage Startups21:05 The Origin Story of Learvo23:50 Building a Product: From Ideation to Customer Validation27:01 Lessons Learned in Product Management29:55 Adapting to Evolving Technology in Startups39:07 Navigating Startup Challenges40:43 The Startup Lifestyle: Work-Life Balance43:08 The Future of Education: Evolving Classrooms51:31 Advice for Aspiring Startup Founders57:51 Finding Purpose in Career ChoicesKeywordsLearvo, education technology, startups, customer discovery, product management, entrepreneurship, AI in education, recruitment challenges, startup advice, future of learning

Follow, Rate, Like, Subscribe!In this conversation, Angie Stacey shares her inspiring journey from being a dental office manager to her current roles at Brunswick, highlighting her late entry into college, the challenges of balancing family and education, and her growth in the HR field. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, setting boundaries, and pursuing fulfillment in both personal and professional life.Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: ReroutedTakeawaysAngie transitioned from a dental office manager to HR roles at Brunswick.She started her college education later in life after being laid off.Balancing family responsibilities with education was a significant challenge.Angie graduated with a 3.9 GPA while raising a child and working.She learned the importance of self-advocacy in her career.Angie emphasizes that money isn't everything in choosing a career.She encourages others to seek fulfillment in their work and life.Curiosity is a key trait for successful interns.Setting boundaries and learning to say no is crucial for well-being.Angie's journey reflects the importance of support from family and mentors.Keywordscareer journey, HR, education, work-life balance, personal growth, internships, dental hygiene, Brunswick, self-advocacy, life lessonsChapters00:00 Introduction and Overview of Brunswick Corporation01:14 Angie's Early Career Journey04:30 Transitioning to College and Dental Hygiene08:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Dental Hygiene School11:53 Starting a Career in Dental Hygiene15:49 Navigating Changes in the Dental Office17:47 The Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Hygiene21:40 Transitioning to Brunswick Corporation23:07 Exploring New Opportunities in HR and Education25:27 Navigating Career Development and Education28:55 Reflecting on Past Challenges and Support Systems30:29 Transferring Skills from Dentistry to HR32:38 Learning to Say No and Setting Boundaries34:34 Validation in Career Transitions36:29 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace39:08 Looking Back: Would You Change Your Path?41:42 Keys to Success for Interns45:49 The Competitive Landscape of Intern Recruitment48:40 Final Thoughts on Fulfillment and Career Satisfaction50:47 Empowering Your Career Journey

I apologize for the inconsistent audio on the episode today. We had some issues working with some new equipment and it will never happen again.LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW, RATEOn today's special live ADIPEC episode, Harvey Young and I break down the recent deals between Gecko Robotics and ADNOC Gas. We talk about the next steps Gecko is looking to take in the Gulf, what this means for the energy industry, and the future of infrastructure maintenance. If you have any thoughts, feedback or suggestions for future episodes, don' hesitate to reach out!Official Gecko Robotics Press Release: https://www.geckorobotics.com/news/ADNOC-Group-PRWebsite: https://www.reroutedpod.com Email: nick@reroutedpod.com Instagram: @rerouted_pod LinkedIn: Rerouted

SummaryIn this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Emily Lawson-Bulten, a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois, who shares her unique journey from civil engineering to pursuing a PhD. Emily discusses her early career, impactful travel experiences, and the lessons learned about water scarcity and engineering. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the value of mentorship, and the need for engineers to understand the social dynamics of their work. Emily also reflects on her aspirations for the future and the evolving definition of what it means to be an engineer.TakeawaysEmily's journey highlights the importance of mentorship in shaping career paths.Travel experiences can significantly influence one's professional focus and values.Understanding community needs is crucial for effective engineering solutions.Engineers should consider the long-term maintenance of their designs.Personal connections in the workplace enhance job satisfaction and performance.Career paths are often non-linear and filled with unexpected opportunities.Being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth.The definition of engineering is evolving to include diverse perspectives and approaches.Collaboration with communities can lead to more effective and sustainable engineering solutions.Self-awareness and understanding one's biases are essential for engineers. Emily's Email: emilyjl3@illinois.eduWebsite: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: ReroutedChapters00:00 Introduction to Emily's Journey02:56 Undergraduate Experience and Early Influences05:39 Impactful Travel Experiences and Water Equity08:14 Lessons from Kenya: Water Scarcity and Engineering10:42 Advice for Students: Embracing Opportunities13:31 First Job Experience: Learning and Growth16:06 Transitioning to a New Role: Finding Passion18:49 Optimizing Job Preferences and Experiences21:01 The Value of Comprehensive Project Involvement23:48 Final Thoughts on Engineering and Personal Growth29:20 Passion and Career Reflection32:04 The Decision to Pursue a PhD37:47 Expanding the Definition of Engineering44:08 Personal Growth and Engineering Identity46:37 Future Aspirations and Open Possibilities54:13 From Civil Engineering to Academia54:13 Looking Ahead: The Future of EngineeringKeywordsengineering, career paths, PhD, water equity, community development, travel experiences, civil engineering, mentorship, professional growth, teaching

In this episode of Rerouted, host Nicholas Karamanian interviews May-Li Khoe, VP of Design at Handshake. They discuss May-Li's journey into design, her experiences at Apple and Microsoft, and her transition to Khan Academy. The conversation covers the evolution of design, the importance of observation, and the impact of creative pursuits like DJing and writing on professional growth.

In this conversation, Geoff Rutledge shares his unique journey from film production to medicine, discussing the challenges he faced in medical school, the importance of stability in his career, and how he balances family life with his profession. He reflects on the skills he gained from his film background that have helped him in medicine, the financial considerations of pursuing a medical degree, and the creative outlets he maintains outside of work. Geoff emphasizes the importance of considering possibilities for change and offers advice for those looking to transition careers.Email: nick@reroutedpod.comWebsite: https://www.reroutedpod.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rerouted_pod

In this conversation, Peter Durand shares his journey from a creative upbringing to running, AlphaChimp, a visual facilitation firm. He discusses his educational background, how he discovered graphic recording, and his journey as an entrepreneur. Peter reflects on the impact of AI on creative industries, his role as an adjunct law professor, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives.Alphachimp URL: https://www.alphachimp.com/Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rerouted_pod

In today's episode, Nick interviews Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide. We discuss his early career in management consulting, his time founding a leading fintech company, his time leading an international non-profit, and the writing of his international bestelling book, "Modern Achievement".Link to buy Modern Achievement: https://modernachievement.com/product/modern-achievement/Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rerouted_pod

On today's episode of Rerouted, Nick interviews Tadeh Issakhanian. Tadeh originally planned on becoming a doctor, but ended up beginning a career in environmental work. He's spent time as an air quality specialist, a congressional staffer, a consultant at Deloitte, and a presidentially appointed senior climate advisor to the administrator of the GSA under the Biden administration. We talk about his early career, moving to DC, how he's consistently leveraged his network, and more. https://www.reroutedpod.com@rerouted_pod

Today's guest is Dr. Ann-Perry Witmer. Ann started her career as a reporter, but 15 years later, decided to return to school for her Bachelor's in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Now, she is a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a world renowned researcher. Join us as we talk about returning to school, nearly filed lawsuits against employers, and how journalism and art history has shaped her into the engineer she is today.For more information on Ann's research, visit: https://globalfew.org/, https://contextual.engineering.illinois.edu/Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted-podLinkedIn: Rerouted Podcast

After graduation, Dan started his career at a non-profit focused on elevating young entrepreneurs, then worked at the Vanderbilt University center for innocation and design as Social Innovation Program Coordinator, and now serves as the Director of Enterprise Growth and Partnerships at HealthBreak Inc. Throughout our conversation, Dan and I talk about being a swiss army knife throughout his career, using his music career to connect professionally, working with entrepreneurs and with social innovation, and how he has grown his professional network by being his most authentic self, and giving to others.Email: nick@reroutedpod.comWebsite: www.reroutedpod.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcastInstagram: @rerouted_pod

Today's guest is Dr. Joanne Charles, an English and history teacher at the Wheeler School, an independent N-12 school in Providence, Rhode Island. In our conversation, we discuss Joanne's entry into education plus her experience in the field, her recent acquisition of her PhD as well as her research on career changers in education, and her reflections on her career thus far. Email: Nick@reroutedpod.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcastInstagram: @rerouted_pod