In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Kevin Elworth, a leadership coach, former pastor, and author of Breaking the I Can’t Cycle. Kevin dives deep into the power of effective communication as the lifeblood of any organization—whether in business or ministry. He shares his personal journey of launching a business, experiencing early failure, pivoting his approach, and finally finding traction by focusing on what others truly need—not just what he wanted to provide. Kevin also opens up about building a discipleship process for churches, the challenges of engaging disengaged congregations, and how hiring a marketing firm was a leap of faith that started yielding results. Perhaps most powerfully, he reflects on how fear-based thinking holds us back, and how transforming your mindset can radically accelerate your life and business. This is a conversation full of wisdom, vulnerability, and practical steps for any entrepreneur, leader, or changemaker ready to shift from frustration to forward motion.
In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Elicia Ybarra — a lifelong martial artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Pretty Hands Hard Punches. Elicia’s mission? To empower one million women by redefining self-defense beyond just physical moves — focusing instead on situational awareness, gut instincts, and emotional boundaries. Elicia opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, including early failures in social media marketing, how she rebuilt from the ground up, and why structure, storytelling, and authenticity are her top business tools. Her advice? Learn to say no — because protecting your emotional space is just as vital as knowing how to throw a punch. This is more than a business story — it’s a movement.
Ever dreamt of flying your own personal aircraft? Meet Jeendry Tovar, the commercial pilot turned aeronautical engineer and entrepreneur behind Idris, a cutting-edge startup developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) recreational vehicles. In this rapid-fire edition of Business Story of the Week, Jeendry shares his inspiring journey from graphic design and aviation to launching a tech-driven business in the U.S. Learn how failure shaped his mindset, what marketing methods he's using to introduce futuristic flying machines, and the powerful advice he'd give to his younger self. This is a must-listen for innovators, dreamers, and future-focused entrepreneurs.
In this heart-centered episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Jeaneen Tang, a seasoned speech-language pathologist, mother, author, and advocate for early intervention. Jeaneen’s journey began in Hawaii and took a surprising turn in Los Angeles as she pursued dreams of acting—only to find her true purpose rooted in helping children communicate. After her own son suffered a traumatic brain injury at just 13 months old, Jeaneen leaned into her professional expertise to support his recovery. This deeply personal experience inspired her to write her groundbreaking book, "Play, Dumb, and Sabotage", a practical guide to empowering parents, educators, and therapists to mindfully build language development through intentional interaction. Jeaneen talks candidly about overcoming “analysis paralysis,” the importance of mentorship, and how she’s building a global impact through her online trainings and resources. If you're a parent, educator, therapist—or simply someone striving to make a difference—this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable advice.
In this raw and inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Dustin Largusa, the powerful voice behind The Low Life Show, a podcast created for prisoners and those reentering society. After facing a devastating period of loss, prison time, and personal collapse, Dustin found peace, humility, and purpose through faith and storytelling. Today, his podcast is streaming in over 500 correctional facilities, with a mission to combat recidivism and help incarcerated individuals build meaningful lives after release. Dustin shares how failure taught him humility, how he's turning his darkest moments into messages of hope, and the marketing strategies that helped amplify his voice to thousands. This is a story of redemption, spiritual awakening, and the power of starting over — with nothing but faith, purpose, and a message that matters.
In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Akilah Mendez-Valdez, the dynamic founder of Haute in Texas, a powerhouse PR and marketing agency that's dedicated to helping female founders craft compelling narratives and elevate their brands. Akilah shares her bold journey of entrepreneurship — from launching her agency a decade ago to embracing failures like the in-person Content Clinic flop, and quickly pivoting into a successful virtual version. She dives into the reality of being a marketer struggling with self-promotion, and the essential power of consistent, value-driven content. With heartfelt honesty, she reflects on how fear once held her back from scaling and why saying yes to intimidating opportunities changed everything. Whether you're an entrepreneur, brand builder, or just need a confidence boost to go big, this episode is a must-listen.
In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, host Shaahin Cheyene sits down with Nicole Van Valen, Founder and CEO of Keen Insights, to explore how joy can be the secret fuel behind true resilience and high performance. Nicole shares her three‑step model for “resilience through joy,” drawn from her background as a professional cheerleader and dancer, and explains why embracing failure—and learning from it—is key to personal and professional growth. From organic referrals to proactive marketing tactics and the power of surrounding yourself with experts, Nicole offers actionable advice for leaders and teams ready to elevate their impact. Stick around to learn about her new book, The Joyful Leader, and snag a complimentary Spear of Resilience Assessment to kickstart your journey.
In this powerful rapid-fire edition of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Nick Allard — legal visionary, Rhodes Scholar, and founding Dean of Jacksonville University College of Law. With a career rooted in public policy, higher education, and innovation, Nick shares how he helped create one of the most dynamic new law schools in America. From launching an institution that doubled in size year after year, to pioneering legal education methods that go beyond the textbook, Nick reveals his biggest lessons in leadership, growth, and communication. He discusses what real success looks like, how failure isn't always a crash but a course correction, and the importance of using law as the most powerful tool humans have ever created. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, aspiring lawyer, or someone chasing purpose through impact, this episode is your roadmap for building something meaningful—brick by brick.
In this thought-provoking episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Josh Wilkerson, one of the founding members of Restoring Mathematics, an educational consulting organization redefining how we engage with math in the classroom. Josh shares his mission to empower teachers as storytellers of mathematics—shifting the focus from standardized curriculum to human connection and the “living curriculum” of teachers themselves. Discover how his team is building a movement through the Restoring Mathematics Roundtable, creating nationwide dialogue among educators who believe that math is more than numbers—it's a narrative worth telling. Josh dives into relationship-driven business growth, the power of community over marketing, and lessons he’d give to his younger entrepreneurial self. If you've ever believed you’re “just not a math person,” this episode might change your mind—and how you teach, lead, or learn.
In this episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with the dynamic and multi-talented Lori Karpman, founder of Lori Karpman & Company and The CopyLab. From her beginnings as a tax lawyer to launching a successful chain of restaurants, to pioneering her way into franchise consulting and content marketing, Lori shares her remarkable journey of reinvention and resilience. Discover how Lori turned failures into long-term success, how she applies legal precision to persuasive business content, and why "selling your strengths and buying your weaknesses" is the smartest strategy in business. This episode is packed with actionable advice, entrepreneurial inspiration, and insight into the power of content that converts.
When life throws a curveball, some people crumble — and others build an empire. Meet Lorraine Lane, a corporate executive-turned-small business coach who transformed an unexpected layoff into a thriving business spanning 25 years. In this episode of Business Story of the Week, Lorraine shares how her journey began with shock but evolved into a powerful mission to guide small business owners to find their authentic voice, build meaningful networks, and avoid common startup mistakes. From almost signing a disastrous partnership to learning the magic of asking for help, Lorraine offers hard-earned wisdom on the power of marketing with intention, networking with purpose, and embracing hybrid business models in a post-COVID world. If you're a small business owner trying to stand out, or someone navigating change, this is the insight-packed episode you need.
In this empowering episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Andrea Hunt, EFT tapping and empowerment coach and founder of Living Deliberately Today. From Minnesota to Munich and beyond, Andrea shares her powerful journey of helping ambitious women break through fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome to build unshakable confidence — one bold step at a time. Discover how emotional resilience, mindset work, and transformational coaching can drive true business growth. Andrea dives deep into the power of community, how to embrace discomfort, and why failure is simply part of the path to success. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or seasoned businesswoman, this episode will help you take that leap and start living deliberately.
In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Dr. Theresa DiLorenzo — founder of Nutrition for Optimal Performance — to explore how she's revolutionizing health and entrepreneurship by merging nutrition counseling with yoga therapy. From helping athletes optimize their bodies to empowering individuals with body image dysmorphia, Dr. Theresa shares how listening to your body can lead to personal and professional breakthroughs. She opens up about business missteps, the importance of staying true to your mission, and how consistent self-promotion helped her grow a successful private practice. Whether you're in the wellness space or navigating your own entrepreneurial path, this episode offers heartfelt insights, tactical growth tips, and a bold reminder: don’t give up.
In this week’s #BusinessStoryOfTheWeek, we sit down with Doug Dvorak, founder and managing principal of the Sales Coaching Institute, as he unpacks 35+ years of sales experience in an ever-evolving tech world. From the dawn of email to the AI revolution, Doug has seen it all—and leveraged it to build a powerhouse consulting business that helps sales leaders and professionals sharpen their edge. He shares why every business today is also a tech business, how to build a winning sales tech stack, and why “being on a rec team” mindset could be holding you back. Whether you're a startup founder, corporate sales executive, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers practical steps, inspiring stories, and sharp insights into what it really takes to build a sustainable, scalable, and professional business. Is this a hobby or a business? Doug’s got a reality check you need to hear.
In this inspiring Business Story of the Week (Rapid Fire Edition), Shaahin Cheyene welcomes the incredible Dr. Shawna Pandya — research astronaut, aquanaut, aeromedical physician, and VP of Immersive Medicine at Luxonic Technologies. Dr. Pandya shares her groundbreaking work in space medicine, VR/AR healthcare, and commercial spaceflight. From building digital twins for radiology to advising AI nutrition startups and leading astronautical research programs, Dr. Pandya’s journey is packed with innovation, resilience, and vision. Tune in for powerful insights on overcoming uncertainty, the future of space tech, and how authentic storytelling fuels success!
In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, Shaahin Cheyene sits down with Gabrielle Hailmann — award-winning marketer, entrepreneur, author, and podcaster. Gabrielle shares her incredible journey from launching her career during a recession to becoming one of Canada’s top women in direct marketing. Learn how she helps small businesses thrive using digital tools, automation, and fractional CMO services. Dive into strategies for thought leadership, programmatic advertising, and building authentic relationships in a rapidly changing market. Perfect for entrepreneurs, marketers, and anyone ready to jump into success!
In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, Shaahin Cheyene sits down with Sig Muller, a seasoned corporate leader turned life transformation advocate. After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest, Sig shares his incredible journey of reinvention, his mission to help others become the world’s best versions of themselves, and the invaluable lessons he learned from corporate successes, failures, and near-death experience. From telehealth innovations to mastering purpose-driven living, Sig delivers insights that will inspire you to reflect, refocus, and take meaningful action in your business and life. Tune in for actionable strategies on finding your passion, building impactful businesses, and creating a joy-filled, mission-driven life.
In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, Shaahin Cheyene and Samanta Treminio interview Eric Woodroof, founder of Profitable Green Solutions and global energy efficiency expert. Eric shares his 25+ years of experience helping companies, governments, and organizations save energy, reduce emissions, and boost profitability — all while making a positive impact on the environment. He dives into how tax credits and smart energy investments create rapid ROI, the mistakes that shaped his journey, and why passion-driven work is the key to long-term success. If you’re curious how businesses can go green and grow profits at the same time, this episode is a must-listen!
In this Business Story of the Week episode, Shaahin Cheyene and Samanta Treminio sit down with Paul Lajoie—CPA, serial entrepreneur, and founder of BizBuy Pro. With 25 years of experience buying, selling, and running 15+ companies, Paul reveals what it really takes to succeed in business acquisitions. From overcoming costly mistakes driven by ego to realizing the power of outsourcing and mentorship, Paul shares wisdom for aspiring business owners ready to leave the 9-to-5 grind. Whether you’re eyeing your first acquisition or looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.
In this episode of Business Story of the Week, Shaahin Cheyene and Samanta Treminio chat with Rita Thomas, widely known as Your Funnel Godmother. Rita reveals how she turned 12 years of juggling a full-time job and a side hustle into full entrepreneurial freedom using the power of automation and smart funnels. Learn how lead magnets, niching down, and automated systems can transform your business—just like they did for Rita. Plus, discover how you can join her free masterclass, Chaos to Clockwork, and start building a business that runs like magic!