Avant-Garde Entrepreneur®

Social entrepreneurs out there, this one's for you: Yes, you built something incredible from nothing. Yes, your work is changing lives, making things easier for so many. Yes, you create jobs and provide financial security for dozens of families. But no, you don't have (nor should you have) all the answers. No, you're not meant to do everything alone. You don't have to play God.In this episode, I'm excited to be joined by Mohamed Ahmed. Mo is an AI Business Leader specializing in AI Cloud Infrastructure at Intel with a track record of scaling AI-driven ventures. He is also the Author of "The Inside-Out Entrepreneur" and the Founder and President of Boundless Founder. Relying on his many years of experience (and the hundreds of lessons learned the hard way), Mo helps entrepreneurs build the mental resilience and strategic clarity they need to scale their businesses.Tune in and listen to the sixty-seventh episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear Mo's unique recipe to build the resilience and mental endurance you need to take your social enterprise to the next level without sacrificing your mental health or jeopardizing your relationship with your family. Mo also shares his thoughts on the importance of seeking mentors and advisors, why he believes it is crucial to rely on family and friends to succeed as an entrepreneur, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Mo on the importance of building resilience and mental endurance (2:40)From engineer to entrepreneur (6:50)Why resilience is key in entrepreneurship (18:00)The importance of networking (25:10)How to balance ambition and personal well-being (33:00)Why you should look after your personal branding (44:00)Connect with Mohamed (Mo) Ahmed:LinkedInBoundless FounderGet a copy of Mo's book, "The Inside-Out Entrepreneur: Become the entrepreneur you were born to be"Join the Boundless Founder's communityResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Common sense tells us that every salesperson works for the "yes," but what if the key to closing more deals is pursuing the "no?"Today, on our fourth episode of the Up-Level Your Impact Business series, the amazing AJ Vassar reveals how shifting our perspective can transform how we sell. AJ is a Small Business Systems Engineer, Podcast Host, Speaking Booking Representative, and the kind of salesperson you've never seen before.Tune in and listen to the sixty-sixth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear AJ's incredible life story, his relentless mentality that helped him transform challenges into growth experiences, and his unique approach to sales. AJ also shares his thoughts on the unique strength introverts bring to sales, explains why he believes going after the "no" in sales is crucial, debunks myths about sales, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:AJ talks about his rough childhood (5:20)From the car to the penthouse. Dealing with challenges 101 (11:00)Sales is about conviction (17:10)The salesperson everybody wants to have around (20:10)AJ introduces the Profitable Persuasion Framework (29:50)Why you should go after the "no" (35:20)Connect with AJ Vassar:LinkedInInstagramFacebookGet a copy of AJ's book: Day Grades: From Homelessness to Giving 5 Cars Away and Much More in Just 3 Short YearsFree Tool: Knowledge Profits AssessmentSubscribe to the Business Problem Solvers podcastResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you had thirty seconds to pitch your company to an investor who could turn your vision for your social enterprise into a reality. Would you be ready?This week, in our third episode of the Up-Level Your Impact Business series, we're tackling every doubt, fear, and uncertainty you might have about fundraising with Scott Nichols. Scott is the Founder of Velocity Pitch Decks and a professional Pitch Deck writer, with a knack for providing client-centric, solution-oriented services that get startup founders funded and help jobseekers land their next best role.Tune in and listen to the sixty-fifth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll get countless tips to craft the perfect pitch deck for your social enterprise, discover why you should create extra-short, short, and long pitch decks, and learn the most common mistakes you should avoid when putting together your pitch deck. Scott also debunks the myths about raising capital, teaches the right way to approach investors, and much, much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:From writing resumes to becoming a professional pitch deck writer (3:40)What should and what you shouldn't include in your pitch deck (9:40)Most common mistakes people make when writing their pitch deck (13:00)Why it feels so hard to tell your own story? (18:30)Scott's top tips for approaching an investor (21:00)Scott debunks the myths about raising capital (26:50)Connect with Scott Nichols:LinkedInVisit Velocity Pitch Decks' websiteConnect with Velocity Pitch Decks on LinkedInFollow Velocity Pitch Decks on InstagramResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As social entrepreneurs, we are in business to relieve, help, or solve the problems of those we serve. We are so connected with our mission that selling is the last thing on our minds.Yet making a business ready to be sold is much more than finding a buyer, it is about preparing for success years in advance (regardless if you're selling or not).Today, in our second episode of the Up-Level Your Impact Business series, we chat with the brilliant Leslie Hassler about growing, scaling, and selling businesses effectively. Leslie is a business strategist, speaker, and the founder of Your Biz Rules. With almost 20 years of experience in the field, Leslie helps entrepreneurs maximize the value of their businesses, whether they're planning to sell or just thinking of scaling.Tune in and listen to the sixty-fourth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll learn to make your business valuable enough to attract potential buyers, the common pitfalls to avoid when getting your social enterprise ready for sale, and practical tips on creating a scalable and financially sound enterprise — one that works for you, not the other way around. You'll also learn about the three-year rule for selling, the differences between growth and scaling, how to reduce owner dependency, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Leslie talks about the most common mistakes business owners make (4:00)The three-year rule for selling (6:10)What is the difference between scaling and growing a business? (9:20)Three ways business owners should be paid (13:10)How to increase your business value before selling (21:15)What buyers look for in a business they're interested in (24:00)What it takes to start seeing our social enterprise as an asset, not a job (26:20)Why you MUST celebrate each win (30:00)Connect with Leslie Hassler:InstagramLinkedInFacebookFree GuidesResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don't need a massive budget to craft a clever, compelling, and effective marketing campaign, and you don't need to wait until your business is wildly successful to invest in branding or advertising. One of the biggest myths about marketing is that it is expensive, and the other is that it is only worth it after you've "made it."  Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Sydney Sam as we kick off the Up-Level Your Impact Business series. In this first episode, we dive into marketing and branding. Sydney is a global speaker, trainer, and coach—an "entrepreneur's entrepreneur." He is the founder of Openspace Global, a member of the D&AD Impact Council, and the CEO of Workspace Global.Tune in and listen to the sixty-third episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. Join us as we dive into the intersection of mission-driven business and effective marketing, debunk the myths about marketing and branding, and go over the marketing trends of 2025. Sydney also shares solutions to the most common marketing roadblocks, breaks down complex marketing and branding concepts into simple language, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Sydney's background and first steps in marketing (4:20)What's the difference between marketing and branding? (7:50)How to build your brand's soul, body, and purpose (13:00)Sydney talks about the marketing trends for 2025 (17:00)How expensive is it to promote your business? (24:10)Two of the biggest myths in marketing (35:00)Connect with Sydney:LinkedInTwitterInstagramVisit Openspace's websiteLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have a million-dollar idea, work your butt off, sell it, live the dream. Tempting, right? But the real reward lies in turning your business into a force for good—healthier, sustainable, and driven by purpose. One path is a myth; the other redefines success in business and life.Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Mark Rampolla. Mark is a Los Angeles-based, visionary entrepreneur, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, and the Co-Founder and now Board Member of ZICO. He founded ZICO in 2004, grew it into one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the world, and sold it to The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. In 2021, he re-acquired the company and, from his new role as a Board Member, renewed his focus on sustainability and innovation.Tune in and listen to the sixty-second episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about Mark's unique perspective on entrepreneurship, his passion (and unique skill) to create and develop businesses that do good while doing well, and his hands-on approach and deep commitment to helping teams grow, innovate, and succeed. Mark also reflects on the wildfires in California, which profoundly affected him both as a community member and personally, resulting in the loss of his home and everything he owned.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Navigating loss. Why our gratitude and resilience muscle must always be on point (4:24)What growing ZICO taught Mark about the business of building sustainable businesses (10:28)Mark talks about his decision of re-acquiring ZICO (19:00)How to build a strong team and why this is crucial (28:10)Entrepreneurship from an investor's perspective (34:10)Mark shares advice for young entrepreneurs (37:20)Connect with Mark Rampolla:LinkedInZICOLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When D-day arrives and elite athletes are about to jump into the arena, trying to compensate for the missed training sessions during the preparation process is pointless. Their success will depend only on their consistency in the previous months. It is the same for social entrepreneurs regarding our spiritual and mental readiness.The only difference is that we never know when life will throw us onto the field and make us play the biggest game of our lives.Today, we talk about how to keep it together when life hits us with a two-by-four. Last Autumn, what started as a routinary rotator cuff surgery in one of my husband's shoulders developed into a rare condition that not only threatened his life but caused him tons of excruciating pain. Unexpectedly, life forced us to put our lives on hold and pushed us into the arena with no other weapons than our love, faith, and the tools we forged in the good times.Tune in and listen to the sixty-first episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about my experiences as a caregiver, the lessons learned during these difficult times, the five things that helped me the most to keep it together during this massive crisis, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How ready are we to eat our own cooking? (1:50)That moment when life shows us who is in charge of things (4:00)The benefits of going small and delegating (13:10)Value your quiet time (15:20)The power of meditation and focusing on what we want to feel, not what we're going through (18:30)Trust your team (21:00)Never underestimate the massive power of gratitude (23:20)Resources:My new book! Mindset MattersMy email: Trisha@TrishaBaileyPhD.comQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you remember the last time you saw yourself doing nothing?Today, I'm thrilled to welcome the inspiring Michelle Sorro. Michelle is a Spiritual Business Mentor, the Host of the top 1% worldwide podcast on self-development, Fire & Soul, a dear friend, and my coach. From being a successful TV retail host making over $200 million in sales, to launching a super successful podcast, to helping others spread their voice, to a seven-figure master coach, Michelle's journey into becoming who she is today was, with the benefit of hindsight, as she likes to say, perfect.In early 2021, Michelle took the first steps into a fascinating journey of self-discovery that helped her shed labels and get closer to her soul's purpose. One crucial insight Michelle got from her mesmerizing journey is the importance of mental health hygiene, and that's the main focus of our conversation.Tune in and listen to the sixtieth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about Michelle's impressive entrepreneurial journey and her extraordinary spiritual awakening that, as she realized later, was sending her hints and signs all the time. Michelle also shares her thoughts on the importance of mental health maintenance, practical tips to turn it into a habit, and its multiple benefits. You'll hear about the link between self-care, spiritual practices, and long-term success, the power of letting go, and much more!In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Michelle's impressive professional career (6:40)About Michelle's spiritual awakening (13:50)With the benefit of hindsight, it is easier to connect the golden dots (18:20)Why is it so hard to listen? (22:00)Tips and advice on mental health maintenance (29:10)Manifest in ease. What is it and how to do it (37:50)Paying attention to the signs, symbols, and synchronicities (49:30)Connect with Michelle Sorro:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramWatch the Soul & Fire Podcast on YouTubeSave your spot for the Magnetic Creator Mastermind 2025Let's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While some leaders' fear is thinking the person behind them wants to take their job, others measure their success based on how well they've prepared their successors. As leaders, we must think it is not about training our replacement, it is about setting the conditions for the person that replaces who's replacing us.Today, I'm thrilled to welcome a fantastic leader and great friend, Colonel Blake Glass. Colonel Glass has over 28 years of dynamic experience in the most extreme, volatile, ambiguous, and uncertain environments, making calls and leading operations in Iraq and Ukraine.Leaning on his MBA from the University of Florida in Agricultural Business and Management and his master's degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Colonel Blake started a new path as a Land Development Manager in Pulte Group.Tune in and listen to the fifty-ninth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear Colonel Glass' thoughts on making decisions in high-pressure situations, what we can do in those moments when we don't know what to do, and the importance of building resilience in our teams. Colonel Glass also shares his unique perspective on leaders' accountability and responsibilities, thinking outside the box when training leaders' replacements, how leaders should handle their emotions, and so much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Colonel Glass' journey in the military (6:20)Colonel Glass shares some of the qualities he feels every leader should have (9:30)How to deal with our emotions as leaders (15:30)Dealing with frustrations, errors, and defeats as a leader (22:20)Colonel Glass shares insights on how to make decisions in high-pressure environments (26:20)The importance of giving purpose to our teams (35:00)Tips and advice to decompress and recharge (41:10)Connect with Blake Glass:LinkedInResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you know that running your social enterprise with an entrepreneurial mindset costs you time, money, and health?Having an entrepreneurial mindset is vital to starting an impact business and being resilient enough to keep it going despite the countless bumps in the road, yet it can only take us so far. The only way to take our social enterprise to the next level WITHOUT losing our mental and physical health is by presenting ourselves, behaving, and becoming a CEO.This week, I'm excited to welcome the extraordinary Dena Patton. Dena is a Global Speaker, Award-winning Coach, Trainer, and Author, who thrives working with world-changing business owners and leaders. She developed a 3-pillar coaching approach that helps clients build efficient systems, effective sales strategies, and a greatness mindset.Tune in and listen to the fifty-eighth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear Dena's practical advice on transitioning from an entrepreneurial to a CEO mindset. Dena also highlights the importance of self-care, scheduling personal activities, and maintaining a balanced life. Plus, Dena shares the three systems every social enterprise's CEO must have in place, the importance of becoming best friends with delegating, why we must fight smallness with all our strength, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Dena's background and first steps as an entrepreneur (4:10)Entrepreneur and CEO mindsets, surviving vs thriving (9:50)Stay focused on your RGAs (18:50)How long does it take to adopt a CEO mindset (24:00)Why we must fight against smallness (29:20)Three systems every CEO must have in place (40:30)Dena on self-care. How to avoid gassing out (48:00)Connect with Dena Patton:WebsiteInstagramCEO Self-care PlanDena’s Book: The Greatness GameResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you aware of the hidden benefits of pausing your work routine as a social entrepreneur?Today, I'm excited to discuss the underrated value of sabbaticals for social entrepreneurs. It amazes me how little is told about how breaking the routine and taking intentional pauses allow us to renew our energy and creativity.Slowing down, disconnecting, and putting our routine on hold are proven methods to counter leadership's silent killers: fear and fatigue. By diving into intentional pauses, we can prevent their negative long-term effects on our health and social enterprise.Tune in and listen to the fifty-seventh episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about my recent experience with sabbaticals and how creating an intentional pause led to enjoying renewed energy, enhanced clarity, and a higher vibrational state. You'll also learn key strategies to plan your sabbatical, tips and practical advice on what to do while you are in the middle of it, the things I would do differently in the next one, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Trisha's experiment pressing the pause button (5:50)About the emotional changes that stem from sabbaticals (12:50)How letting go of the outcomes changes us (19:00)The physical effects the sabbatical had on Trisha (24:30)What you should know and do before you press the pause button (30:20)Tips and advice to consider during the sabbatical (35:20)Resources:My new book! Mindset MattersMy email: Trisha@TrishaBaileyPhD.comQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you noticed that you are prone to think more negatively about your chances of succeeding at something whenever you feel energy-depleted? And spending time second-guessing yourself, feeding negative thoughts, and paying too much attention to what scares you makes you exhausted?This happens because fear and fatigue are intimately related. The good news? There is a way of spotting them on time, dealing with them, and preventing them from affecting you and your social enterprise.Today, we talk about the silent killers: fear and fatigue. You'll hear first-hand how they threatened my mental and physical health, how they got in the middle of my professional life, why I call them silent killers, and how I overcame them.Tune in and listen to the fifty-sixth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear my definition of fear and fatigue, my personal experiences dealing with them, and why they're dangerous to the point they can kill your leadership, hack your spirit, and make you drastically less effective. I also share five tips to spot, deal with, and overcome these silent killers, self-reflection and spiritual practices to help you overcome burnout, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why silent killers are "so popular" among social entrepreneurs (5:40)Trust the helping hand of journaling (12:30)Trisha's definition of Fear and Fatigue (15:50)Why stretching yourself too thin makes you vulnerable to the silent killers' hit (21:10)Five tips to spot on and overcome fear and fatigue (29:20)The importance of creating space for pressing the pause button (39:40)Resources:Quiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine for a second how you would feel if, after a mistake or an unexpected succession of events, you lose everything and find yourself on the streets, struggling with addiction, coming out of jail, or dealing with PTSD after serving in the army. Now, imagine someone extends their hand and equips you with the tools to start over again. That helping hand would be Robb Munger's.Today, I'm so excited to be joined by Robb Munger. Robb is the CEO and Executive Director at Exodus Place, a transitional housing facility for men experiencing homelessness. It started with many uncertainties about its future but with a clear objective: creating a culture for those needing a hand-up, not a handout. Robb is convinced that homelessness can (and must!) be cured, not treated.Tune in and listen to the fifty-fifth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about Robb's upbringing, how it impacted his vision of the world, and his transition from happily donating yet avoiding being involved with non-profits to starting Exodus Place. Robb also talks about his relationship with entrepreneurship before Exodus Place, creating a culture that empowers men and uplifts their self-worth, shares practical tips for sustainable growth, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Robb talks about his upbringing and how it molded his character (3:50)Robb's first steps into entrepreneurship (9:30)The realization at a restaurant that changed Robb's life (20:00)Robb talks about the soft and hard skills Exodus Place teaches (25:10)Robb's secret sauce: building a culture for success (32:00)Exodus Place's three pillars (38:00)Why Exodus Place is so successful at keeping people on the program and reducing recidivism dramatically (47:20)Robb shares advice on how to scale a social enterprise (54:20)Connect with Robb Munger:Exodus Place's websiteLinkedIn Robb's Book: Momentum: Getting One's Momentum Back! (Intentional Velocity Series, Volume 1)  Resources:Quiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wouldn't it be cool if you could be one click away from a specialist who could support you with any need you might have? Today, I feel blessed to welcome Scott Elequin. Scott is a Creative Solution-focused entrepreneur on a mission to connect people with distinct problems with someone with the specific skills to solve them. He is the Executive Director and Founding Board Member of Global Switchboard, an organization designed to connect mission teams with skilled believers worldwide. Scott figured that the best way of making a massive impact in the world is to be clear on who you are, make yourself available, and trust that there will be a place to serve. Tune in and listen to the fifty-fourth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about Scott's journey into social entrepreneurship and his brilliant idea of using virtual volunteering to address global needs. You'll also hear Scott's thoughts on using AI to find the right volunteer for a specific problem, the importance of perseverance in developing a social impact business, how hard yet rewarding it is to find the right people for an organization, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Scott's background (4:20)"When you are great at something and someone needs that, it's amazing" (8:00)What is Global Switchboard, and how does it work (10:10)Scott talks about the infinite possibilities of virtual volunteering (17:20)How are NGOs slightly different from regular for-profits? (33:00)How to stay motivated despite the challenges and setbacks (37:10)Connect with Scott Elequin:WebsiteLinkedInOnline Tool for Discovering How a Volunteer Can Help (Creates a personalized "Kingdom Calling Card.”)  Resources:Quiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How far are creating value and providing products and services while putting people and the planet first from being considered the only way of doing business? Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Amanda Kiessel. Amanda is a Catalyst, Connector, and Cocreator at Good Market, a digital commons created to facilitate connections between social enterprises, cooperatives, responsible businesses, civic organizations, networks, and changemakers who decided to produce real change in the world. After spending over twenty years in Asia, witnessing Sri Lanka's civil war directly, and relating with people from all walks of life, Amanda developed an unparalleled mix of connections, which undoubtedly influenced and expanded her talent for social entrepreneurship. Tune in and listen to the fifty-third episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You'll hear about Amanda's journey and lessons learned living in Sri Lanka during the civil war, the birth of Good Market, and everything she learned about self-sustaining models in Asia. Amanda also shares tips and advice on preventing burnout, staying focused and motivated in social entrepreneurship, what being a social entrepreneur means to her, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Amanda's unique background and story in Asia (3:40)Amanda reflects on how we can make our work more visible (8:00)About the rocky beginnings of Good Market (12:00)Amanda defines social entrepreneurship (17:20)What makes social enterprises like Good Market so important? (23:10)The three factors that make social entrepreneurship sustainable (27:20)How to prevent burnout (31:00)Amanda shares her vision for the future of social enterprises (42:10)Connect with Amanda Kiessel:LinkedInGood MarketResources:Quiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.