Unlocking Moves

What makes a Hollywood makeup artist lay down her brushes, and a fashion designer put away her fabric to create a Farmers Market?! Join us for Episode 28 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode features Carmen Dianne and Kara Still, two Maryland transplants who independently moved to Hollywood hoping for their big break. But when the pandemic closed down movie sets and upended the world, they got to talking about what they could do to help. After George Floyd's murder and the social unrest that followed, that talking turned into a "burden to DO something." From there, the idea for Prosperity Market - a mobile marketplace featuring black-owned businesses, farmers, and chefs, that combines the need to support black businesses and combat food insecurity - was born. About Carmen Dianne - Carmen has a marketing degree and has worked as a makeup artist in the entertainment industry for over 13 years. Always the champion for her community, it made sense for her business mind and creative spirit to come together in the creation of Prosperity Market. About Kara Still - Kara has spent 15 years in the fashion world, split between retail management and fashion design. She also studied Psychology at Howard University and has always had a passion for food, health, and wellness. Her commitment to empowering the community makes her a natural fit as co-founder of Prosperity Market. About Prosperity Market - Prosperity Market is a farmers market on wheels and a food truck in one, featuring black farmers, food producers, and chefs! We travel throughout Los Angeles, making it easier to support local businesses while creating food access in our communities. We are transforming our local ecosystem and our economy through agriculture, food access, nutrition education, and community partnerships. Prosperity Market is also an online marketplace for featured products with nationwide shipping, and a virtual farmers market once a month. About Kurt Wilkin – Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

“A chip on a shoulder is a VERY powerful tool” Join us for Episode 27 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves dives into Paul Hedrick’s path -- including multiple rejections to founding and growing Tecovas, the hottest western brand in the US. From college admissions, to “friends and family” investors, and even an angry LinkedIn commentor, Paul has faced a lot of rejection and people questioning his decisions to leave a high-paying job to start a boot company. In the episode, Paul discusses turning inward to find his “Ikigai” or highest and best use, seeing opportunities where others saw certain failure, and even stepping aside as CEO. You won’t want to miss this introspective and engaging conversation! About Paul Hedrick – Paul is the founder and Executive Chairman of Tecovas, the first direct-to-consumer western brand, which has grown to be a market leader since its inception in 2015. About Kurt Wilkin – Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

Adrian Koehler has been a pastor, a nurse to Kuwaiti royalty, a dodgeball sniper, and a kickass no-bullshit coach for entrepreneurs. Join us for Episode 26 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves goes deep with Adrian Koehler about the hard conversations that entrepreneurs need to have with themselves. From "Hugging the Cactus" by embracing your dark side and recognizing your fears and limitations to understanding that success breeds dysfunction, this episode will encourage you to get introspective about your own entrepreneurial journey. About Adrian Koehler - Adrian Koehler is a leadership engagement expert and senior partner at the executive coaching firm, Take New Ground. He coaches executives and entrepreneurs in the art and science of leadership for themselves, their teams, and clients to create new, unprecedented results and experience fulfillment in their work. About Kurt Wilkin – Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

How did Elijah May go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to having a wildly successful career and running multiple companies?! Join us for Episode 25 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves dives into Elijah May’s background from growing up in the woods of North Carolina to attending USC – where he created his own major, broke up fights on commercial sets, and became a lifeguard at the U.S. Olympic Pool – and he didn't even know how to swim! Elijah’s life story boils down to two things – HARD work, and saying YES to things others say no to. That mantra has served him well throughout his career and now as an entrepreneur with Funded House, Team CMO, and The Experience Firm. About Elijah May – To Elijah, tackling complex problems is his idea of a good time. Every company or project he’s started is just a solution to a problem he became obsessed with. Team CMO: Because CMOs have the highest turnover in the C-Suite and often don’t feel like they have a seat at the table. Funded House: Because there’s a surprising disconnect between great entrepreneurs and great investors. The Experience Firm: Because all the marketing in the world can’t save you if your customer experience sucks. He connects people that need to be connected, and seeks to make more companies a force for good in the world. About Kurt Wilkin – Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

From Rock Bottom to Redemption: John Flynn’s Billion-Dollar ComebackJoin us this week on Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader’s journey that unlocks their potential. Most people only talk about their “glory” stories, but host Kurt Wilkin believes we learn more from the “gory” stories. This episode delivers both as Kurt sits down with John Flynn — co-founder and former CEO of Open Lending — whose journey from addiction and loss to building a $4 billion company is nothing short of extraordinary.John opens up about growing up in a blue-collar family, working in steel mills to pay for college, and finding early success in the credit union world. But his ambition masked a destructive secret: alcoholism. After multiple DUIs, a failed marriage, and a near-fatal crash, John hit rock bottom and checked himself into treatment — a decision that changed his life forever. Thirty-four years sober, he credits faith and service as the foundation of his comeback. From that turning point, John went on to co-found Open Lending, helping thousands of borrowers secure fair and affordable auto loans while growing one of the most successful fintech companies in the world.This conversation explores redemption, resilience, and purpose. John shares how faith gave him strength after the loss of his daughter, how mentorship and second chances shaped his leadership, and why he now dedicates his life to helping others recover through his women’s treatment center, Hammocks on the Edisto. His story proves that the greatest comebacks often start at the lowest points — and that true success is measured not by wealth, but by lives changed.About John Flynn - John Flynn is the co-founder and former CEO of Open Lending, a financial technology company that reached a $4 billion market cap. A lifelong advocate for addiction recovery, he co-founded Hammocks on the Edisto, a women’s treatment center in South Carolina. John has been sober for 34 years and continues to mentor others on their journey to recovery and leadership.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young and today serving as Founder of BusinessEarth and Managing Partner of Bee Cave Capital. He’s a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.Listen now: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves

Join us this week on Unlocking Moves, as host Kurt Wilkin dives into the pivotal moments in a leader’s journey that unlock their success. Most people only talk about their successes, their "glory" stories, but Kurt knows we learn more from the "gory" stories. This episode delivers both as he sits down with Kyle McGee, the founder and CEO of Sunchase Companies, for a gritty, hopeful look at turning setbacks into success.Kyle’s journey begins with hard labor and even harder lessons. He grew up watching the hard work of his father, a contractor, and his grandfather, a mason, learning the trades from the ground up. Inspired, he started his own landscaping business at 16 to have enough money to party... but a DUI at 21 nearly derailed his future. He returned home and set his sights on real estate and a partnership with his father. Then his world shattered when his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away, a loss that shook Kyle to his core, but ultimately steeled his resolve. In the midst of personal hardship, a couple took a chance and hired Kyle to build their waterfront home. Kyle seized the opportunity, cutting his teeth on, until a 14-unit apartment acquisition forever changed his mindset about scaling his business. A lifelong learner, Kyle firmly believes in the mantra "Knowledge is NOT power - applied knowledge is power." After observing his father's backbreaking work "IN" the contractor business, Kyle read everything he could about leadership and working ON the business. Ultimately, he built Sunchase Companies, leveraging the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), bringing discipline to his growing business. Today, with over 300 "doors" in his portfolio, Kyle shares how he built a real estate investment empire from the ashes of adversity.This conversation digs into the values and strategies behind the numbers. Kyle opens up about his faith that keeps him grounded and the mentors who guided him along the way. He explains how embracing EOS helped him scale with intention rather than ego, and why staying fiercely loyal to his subcontractors and trade partners became one of his smartest moves. Whether you’re a young leader recovering from early mistakes or an entrepreneur looking to grow your company on solid foundations, Kyle’s story is a masterclass in grit, grace, and strategic growth. You’ll be inspired to turn your own setbacks into opportunities for growth.About Kyle McGee - Kyle McGee is the founder and CEO of Sunchase Companies, a real estate development and investment firm based in Florida. He founded Sunchase in 2017 and has since developed a portfolio of over 300 multifamily units, along with multiple commercial projects. Named one of Pro Builder’s Forty Under 40 in 2024, Kyle is also a licensed general contractor who’s passionate about building communities and guiding others on their entrepreneurial journeys.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young and today serving as Founder of BusinessEarth and Managing Partner of Bee Cave Capital. He’s a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.Listen now: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #RealEstateInvesting #Legacy #Construction #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #Faith #SecondChances

As an entrepreneur, how can you focus on your health while leading a high-growth company? Dr. Tracy Gapin has answers!Join us this week on Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader’s journey that unlock real potential. Most people only talk about their successes, their "glory" stories, but host Kurt Wilkin believes we learn more from the "gory" stories. This episode delivers both.Kurt sits down with Dr. Tracy Gapin, a board-certified urologist with 25 years of experience as a men’s health & performance expert who left a seven-figure practice to build a new model for men’s health, longevity, and peak performance. He explains why our “diagnosis equals drug” system fails high achievers, and how to fix your health with testing, data, and daily habits. You’ll hear the exact labs he recommends (ApoB, Lp(a), free testosterone, free T3, vitamin D), how to track sleep quality and HRV, and why glucose monitors aren’t just for diabetics. "Doc Tracy" also breaks down epigenetics in plain English, the truth about endocrine disruptors in water and plastics, and a simple filter-first approach for your home. Most important, he shares the mindset shift that saved his career and health, starting with better sleep and clear boundaries at home.If you’re a founder or leader who wants more energy, sharper focus, and a better quality of life to share with your loved ones, this conversation is a playbook you can use today.About Dr. Tracy Gapin: Dr. Gapin is the founder of the Gapin Institute for Precision Medicine. After 25 years in urology, he now helps leaders optimize health and performance through precision testing, personalized protocols, and measurable results. He's the author of Male 2.0 and a frequent speaker on longevity, hormones, and behavior change.About Kurt Wilkin: Kurt is a connector of dots, ideas, and people. Over 30 years advising high-growth companies, from Ernst & Young to chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital, he has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build and scale their businesses.Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves#UnlockingMoves #MensHealth #Longevity #PeakPerformance #ApoB #Testosterone #HRV #CGM #SleepOptimization

She sells 15,000 Books a Month?!? And she's only 23?!? Tune in for Lexi Kaz’s BlueprintThis week on Unlocking Moves, host Kurt Wilkin sits down with Lexi Kaz, the 23-year-old powerhouse behind You Will Rock books.Lexi’s journey hasn't followed the typical playbook. At the height of the pandemic, she walked away from her dream of playing professional soccer (not to mention a Division I soccer scholarship) to spend a gap year farming and camping across Hawaii. Looking for her next move, she signed up for a $100 online course that introduced her to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing model. She wrote her first book - "You Will Rock as a Dad" - to fill a gap in the market. When that book took off, she knew she had identified a repeatable system—and today, she’s published over a dozen giftable guides that actually help families.We cover how Lexi scaled from one book to 15,000 copies a month through relentless research, customer feedback, and a creator-led growth engine. She breaks down the power of TikTok Shop, why micro-creators often outperform big influencers, and how she now works with 5,000 affiliates. Plus, we get into mindset, dealing with copycats, and the reminder she leans on when outcomes fall short: “Success comes from within.”If you’re weighing a pivot, launching your first product, or chasing your next growth lever, Lexi’s story is a blueprint for building with grit, feedback, and community.About Lexi Kaz - Lexi is a publisher, marketer, and founder of You Will Rock books. She has authored or published 18 titles, including several bestsellers, and built a fast-growing creator affiliate network across TikTok and Amazon.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. 🎧 Listen now: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #SelfPublishing #KDP #TikTokShop #AffiliateMarketing #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CreatorEconomy

How Asking for Help Changes Everything: Nate Thomas's Transformative JourneyJoin us this week on Unlocking Moves as host Kurt Wilkin visits with Nate Thomas, founder of the innovative mental health app: Shmoody. Nate's journey is raw, authentic, and packed with powerful lessons from his personal battle with addiction to his path toward recovery and entrepreneurship.In this deeply honest conversation, Nate openly shares how addiction nearly destroyed his life, leaving him unemployable, isolated, and he ultimately hit rock bottom. Nate shares his humble restart as a Starbucks employee, the powerful moment of surrender that changed everything, and how learning to ask for help became his superpower.Nate reveals how humor, humility, and human connection became pillars in his recovery, ultimately driving him to co-create Shmoody, a mental health app that resonates deeply with Gen Z and millennials because it's designed by people who genuinely understand their mental health struggles and ways to keep them engaged and motivated. The episode also explores Nate's bold career shifts, from practicing law to comedy sketch writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and finally to finding meaningful success in entrepreneurship.Packed with wisdom, laughter, and courage, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever struggled with setbacks, questioned their worth, or needed a powerful reminder about asking for help.About Nate Thomas: Nate Thomas is Co-Founder and CEO of Shmoody, a mental health and wellness app with nearly two million downloads. His unconventional journey includes degrees from Duke and WashU, a career at Goldman Sachs, and personal triumph over addiction. Each step has fueled his mission to make mental health tools accessible, engaging, and stigma-free.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #MentalHealth #RecoveryJourney #Entrepreneurship #Shmoody #AddictionRecovery #Wellbeing #AskingForHelp (00:00:00) Early Sobriety & Service — From Starbucks to Recovery Community(00:02:33) Improv at UCB — Building Confidence, Communication, and Humor(00:08:13) What Makes Shmoody Different — A Fun, Engaging Mental Health App(00:12:14) Universities & Impact — Pilots, Data, and Multi‑Year Partnerships(00:25:24) Rock Bottom to Surrender — The Turning Point in 2013(00:35:32) Asking for Help Is a Superpower — Courage, Ego, and Real Support(00:48:06) Unlocking Moves — Mentorship, Accelerator Lessons & Testing Growth(01:02:24) Life Without Social Media — Why Nate Opts Out (Connect via LinkedIn)(01:06:30) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

From Crisis to Comeback: How Patrick Wright (and his team) Pivoted AdvoCare Against All OddsWhat do you do when years of hard work finally pays off and you're promoted to CEO, only to have your company's business model ripped to shreds TWO DAYS into your new job?!?!That’s exactly what happened to Patrick Wright, former CEO of AdvoCare. In this week’s episode of Unlocking Moves, Kurt Wilkin sits down with Patrick for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead through chaos.On his SECOND day as CEO, Patrick was hit with a bombshell: the Federal Trade Commission ruled that AdvoCare’s business model had to go. Patrick and his AdvoCare team was given 60 days to completely overhaul their sales strategy from muli-level-marketing to direct-to-consumer -- or risk losing everything!From making gut-wrenching announcements to long-time distributors and employees, to building a new direct-to-consumer strategy under extreme pressure, Patrick shares how he leaned on authenticity, quick decision-making, and a clear vision to lead through it all.You’ll hear the real story behind the pivot: the sleepless nights, the tough calls, and the bold bets that helped keep the business—and hundreds of jobs—alive. Whether you’re a founder facing change or a leader managing through uncertainty, this episode is packed with lessons you can use right now!About Patrick Wright - Patrick is an accomplished CEO with over two decades of expertise in B2C marketing and sales management, and e-commerce. He specializes in organizational restructuring and business transformation, and his behind-the-scenes stories about AdvoCare's pivot read like an HBR case study.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. 🎧 Unlock the full episode on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves(00:00:00) The Hardest Day of His Career: Facing the FTC(00:02:00) Meet Patrick Wright: Guitars, Growth, and Getting Creative(00:05:04) Unlocking Early Career Moves Through Initiative(00:10:37) Sponsor – Chinook Seedery: The Best Seeds Ever(00:12:46) FTC Forces a Radical Pivot at AdvoCare(00:20:17) Eliminating MLM: The 60-Day Scramble to Reinvent(00:28:00) E-Commerce Lessons and Lean Startup Execution(00:34:06) Authentic Leadership and Emotional Intelligence in Crisis(00:44:59) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

THE EL ARROYO SIGN STOLE MY CLEVER INTRO!Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves with Clay McPhail - the restauranteur behind Austin's iconic El Arroyo Tex-Mex restaurant and its legendary roadside sign! Known for its witty, satirical, and sometimes controversial messages, the El Arroyo sign has captured the hearts and occasionally provoked the tempers of Austinites for decades. But there’s much more to Clay’s story than clever jokes and Tex-Mex!Unlocking Moves dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Most of us only like to talk about our "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. In this week’s episode, Clay reveals the accidental origins of the witty (and sometimes controversial) El Arroyo sign, and how the sign became both an amazing marketing superpower AND the bane of his existence (because he and his team had to come up with clever new messages EVERY…SINGLE…DAY for over 25 years! Clay also shares his origin story - from working his way through college at Texas to creating the legendary and controversial sign and the Tex Mex brand you know and love - with many lessons learned along the way. Clay reflects on the courage required to leap into entrepreneurship and missed opportunities, and he shares the raw and unexpected power that mentorship can have on those around us. Whether you're a fan of the infamous signs, or interested in the journey of a legendary restauranteur, this episode is for you!(00:00:00) From Sandra Bullock to Elf on the Shelf – 26 Years of El Arroyo(00:01:50) The Dumbledore Sign and Viral Marketing Backlash(00:03:34) Clay’s Accidental Path from Insurance to Restaurant Empire(00:05:04) The Yellow Legal Pad Pitch That Launched El Arroyo(00:10:53) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:11:15) Building a Legacy with Humor – The Power of the Sign(00:17:10) Why Clay Left Restaurants After 26 Years (and Came Back)(00:18:45) Launching 5280 Burger Bar in Denver and Returning to Austin(00:22:48) Unlocking Move: Bet on Yourself and Say “Yes”(00:29:45) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz HereAbout Clay McPhail - Clay has over 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He’s the former owner, founder & CEO of El Arroyo restaurant and creator of it’s famous sign, and now the owner of 5280 Burger Bar. Clay is a legend and continues to impact lives through food, laughter, and genuine connections. About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-movesSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #ElArroyo #AustinRestaurants #Entrepreneurship #MarketingHumor #Leadership #5280BurgerBar

"Do you want to be the gambler, with the odds stacked against you... or the casino owner?"Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves with Mark Zweig, author and founder of two Inc 500/5000 companies. Unlocking Moves dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Most of us only like to talk about our "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt chats with Mark Zweig, founder of the Zweig Group and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Arkansas' Walton College of Business. Mark started his entrepreneurial journey as a 12 year old bike mechanic in the St. Louis area. He utilized many of the lessons he learned there when he founded his consulting firm for engineers and architects. In their conversation, Kurt and Mark discuss the advantages of being UNDER capitalized, the value of open-book management, how private equity takeovers can go very wrong, and how great marketing is the key to success - not sales. This episode is a blueprint for folks just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey, with a lot of incredible advice from "the best professor at Arkansas!"(00:00:00) Life’s Too Short to Stay in a Comfortable Job(00:01:19) Welcome to Unlocking Moves – Featuring Mark Zweig(00:02:06) From Consulting to High-End Home Remodeling(00:03:03) Childhood Dreams of Architecture, Realized Through Business(00:04:06) Selling His Company Twice – And Why He Did It(00:05:12) Fired, Broke, and Starting a Business from Scratch(00:07:26) Growing a Firm Focused on Architects and Engineers(00:08:48) Why Opposites Make the Best Business Partners(00:10:17) Scaling Through Systems, Direct Mail, and PR(00:11:46) The Power of Probability and Playing the Long Game(00:13:01) When Necessity Drives Your First Business Move(00:13:14) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:14:08) Why Bootstrapping Builds Better Companies(00:15:58) Early Lessons as a Bike Mechanic at Age 12(00:18:09) From Hustling Bikes to Learning Entrepreneurship(00:20:15) Career Advice for College Grads: Show Up and Work Hard(00:22:02) Open Book Management and Culture of Ownership(00:24:19) Recovering a Business in Debt: The Turnaround Story(00:27:13) Don't Let One Complaint Stop Smart Marketing(00:28:25) Order Takers vs. Entrepreneurs – Get It Done(00:30:08) Avoiding Dependency on the Sales Superstar(00:32:22) Marketing vs. Sales – Why Positioning Wins(00:34:00) Cold Calling, Grit, and Earning Your Way Up(00:35:49) Unlocking Move: Selling the Company and Changing Everything(00:38:14) Student Projects That Actually Change Lives(00:39:02) Rave Reviews from the University of Arkansas(00:41:04) Embracing Opportunities Outside the Classroom(00:42:43) Mark’s Obsession: 400 Cars, 300 Motorcycles(00:44:01) Investing in Janus Motorcycles and American Craft(00:45:47) Wrap Up and Gratitude(00:46:23) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz HereAbout Mark Zweig - Mark is an experienced entrepreneur, author of "Confessions of an Entrepreneur" and 13 other books, and founder of two Inc 500/5000 companies. He founded the Zweig Group, a consulting, research, publishing, media, and training company serving the AEC industry. He's also Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Arkansas' Walton College of Business, where he teaches new venture development and small business management. About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

From Systems Engineer to Hot Sauce Star: Josue Rivas's Incredible JourneyJosue went from producing dozens of bottles of hot sauce a month to fulfilling an order for 40... THOUSAND... in six weeks!Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Most of us only like to talk about our "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt chats with Josue Rivas, founder and CEO of Savir Foods. Josue is a Peruvian immigrant and a former systems engineer and classically trained chef with three restaurants and a catering company. Compelled by his love for creating things for others to enjoy, he started Savir Foods in 2020 after making hot sauces for his friends and family. His sauces have been featured twice on the hit YouTube show Hot Ones, and can be ordered at savirfoods.comBut his rise wasn't simple or quick. Josue shares about years spent working unpaid internships, late nights bottling sauces by hand, and the large bet he made on himself when he pulled all-nighters and did whatever it took to produce 40,000 bottles of hot sauce in just six weeks! Josue is an open book about the struggles he's faced on his journey, including mental health and identity issues. Plus, Kurt did his best Sean Evans and Hot Ones impression with a hot sauce taste test!About Josue Rivas - Josue is the founder and CEO of Savir Foods, creator of artisanal hot sauces known for their bold flavors. Compelled by his love for creating things for others to enjoy, he started Savir Foods in 2020 after making hot sauces for his friends and family. His sauces have been featured twice on the hit YouTube show Hot Ones, and can be ordered at savirfoods.comAbout Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmovEsCredits:Video Title: "Will Forte Goes For a High Score While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITj3o5T4Szc&t=316sVideo Title: "Lisa Dances Through the Pain WHile Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0BD1v8N5U&t=418sVideo Title: "Lady Gaga Tries to Keep a Poker Face While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp5TYOxtZqY&t=438sVideo Title: "Elijah Wood Tastes the Lava of Mount Doom While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-cQ_Wtv0sQ&t=261sVideo Title: "Lorde Drops the Mic While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaoEyTZpv18&t=171sVideo Title: "Matt Damon Sweats From His Scalp While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones"Creator: First We FeastLink to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaXma6K9mzo&t=209s#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #HotOnes #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #CareerPivot #SavirFoods #HotSauce #SmallBusiness #StartupJourney

Once you've been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, what's the playbook for making it happen??Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt talks with Brien Gearin, the Founder and CEO of Ricochet Digital Marketing and host of the Millionaire University podcast, about his path to entrepreneurship. Brien's journey wasn't traditional - from working in Customer Experience with the Cincinnati Reds to failing miserably in a telemarketing sales job to "spreading chicken shit" as a lawncare specialist. But what Brien did at every turn was LEARN something that he now applies as an entrepreneur. He also learned to create opportunities for himself - taking a course on Digital Marketing led to recognizing a market gap and ultimately the creation of his company. Brien's story is full of lessons for entrepreneurs about seizing the opportunities we're given in life! To learn more about Rett Syndrome and support Brien's daughter Cecilia, visit www.rettsyndrome.orgAbout Brien Gearin - Brien founded Ricochet Digital Marketing 7-1/2 years ago, which supports and facilitates growth for small businesses. He's also a partner and podcast host for Millionaire University, which teaches and inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs. He's a husband and father of four kids under the age of seven, and loves to talk family, faith, baseball, entrepreneurship, and love of our great country.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. (00:00:00) Something Will Lead to Something – Trust the Process(00:01:20) Welcome to Unlocking Moves – Featuring Brien Gearin(00:02:50) Failing Forward – Brien’s First Job and the Brutal Truth(00:05:10) Quitting with Integrity: The Cold Call That Crossed the Line(00:07:04) From Ballpark Dreams to Customer Experience Lessons(00:09:10) Why Working for the Reds Helped Brien Define His Future(00:12:36) A Career-Shaping Realization – What I Want From My Life(00:13:14) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:14:08) Rejection and Relational Sales: Brien’s Sales Journey(00:16:27) Why Sales Isn’t About Selling – It’s About Serving(00:17:50) Burn the Boats – How Brien Jumped Into Entrepreneurship(00:20:17) Lawncare, Chicken Sh*t, and Finding the Path to Ownership(00:22:00) Discovering Digital Marketing – And a New Identity(00:24:00) The Online Course That Changed Everything(00:26:03) Building Ricochet Digital from the Ground Up(00:28:10) Adding Services, Growing the Team, and Finding a Niche(00:30:00) Three Non-Negotiables for Marketing Growth(00:32:00) Millionaire University Podcast – How Brien Became Co-Host(00:34:58) Behind the Mic – Podcasting as a Platform for Impact(00:36:22) Faith, Fatherhood, and Raising a Daughter with Rett Syndrome(00:38:09) Diagnosis, Acceptance, and Advocacy for Rett Syndrome(00:41:18) Unlocking Move: The $300 Course That Sparked a New Life(00:44:49) Say Yes – The Secret to Creating Opportunity(00:45:06) The Great American Ballpark Hot Dog Scandal(00:47:20) The Sixth Grade Jersey – The Real MVP Moment(00:50:04) Why Nobody Asks About Your Business – And That’s Okay(00:52:04) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

Join us for a very special episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! This week, host Kurt Wilkin steps into the spotlight solo to celebrate 50 episodes of raw, inspiring conversations with some of the most remarkable entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries. Instead of featuring a guest, Kurt reflects on some of the funniest, most surprising, and most powerful moments from previous episodes -- from Bo Burlingham revealing his secret hatred of writing, to Scott Leese sharing his battle with opioid addiction to Jason Bronstad getting schooled on the jiu-jitsu mat by a young girl. You'll also hear unforgettable moments with Tyler Allgaier, Mike Smerklo, Rolf Wilkin, Stephen and Allison Ellsworth, and many more.Kurt pulls back the curtain to share behind-the-scenes stories, his favorite “gotcha” questions for guests, and some surprising lessons learned along the way. It's the perfect tribute to the Unlocking Moves journey so far and a reminder that real growth happens when we share the messy, honest parts of our story. Whether you've been part of the Unlocking Moves community since day one, or you're just discovering it, this milestone episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

"Don't be an order taker... be a VALUE DRIVER"Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt talks with Nick Moran, General Partner at New Stack Ventures - a VC firm that is shaking up the venture capital industry by investing in "outsiders" who don't fit the mold of a traditional tech target. Nick's story is full of unlocking moves - from being willing to call attention to problems in his first job, to remaking himself after a "meets expectations" performance review, and from realizing he had no network, to starting the first VC-centered podcast over a decade ago. Nick also sheds light on the VC industry and how decisions are traditionally made - either based on resume (did you go to Stanford and work for Google?!) or on traction (how much money have you already made?!). New Stack Ventures does things differently, looking for KILLERS with earned insights who have what it takes to run a great company. For any entrepreneur thinking about raising a VC round, this is a can't miss conversation!About Nick Moran - Nick is the Founder and General Partner of New Stack Ventures. A former M&A and Product Management professional for Danaher, Nick began angel investing full-time in 2013. In 2014, he launched the first Venture Capital podcast, The Full Ratchet, growing it into one of the largest media brands in venture and the top 0.5% of most listened to podcasts globally. The networks and dealflow generated from the show led to the founding of New Stack Ventures, which focuses on mission-driven founders outside the Bay Area. New Stack has fast become one of the leading seed funds between the coasts. They recently fully deployed their second fund ($42.6M) and launched fund 3, a $100M fund in Q3 of 2024.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. (00:00:00) Intro – Welcome to Unlocking Moves(00:00:19) Nick Moran’s Journey from Corporate to Angel Investor(00:09:48) Building a Venture Firm Without Silicon Valley(00:12:56) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:13:06) How Nick Picks Winning Founders(00:24:15) The Importance of Market Timing(00:39:40) Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs(00:48:16) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

Bo Burlingham has had a storied career writing about some of the best entrepreneurs and greatest companies of all time -- but there's something about Bo that NO ONE knew, maybe not even Bo...until this episode of Unlocking Moves. Bo actually HATES writing!!! Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt continues his conversation with legendary business journalist and author, Bo Burlingham. In this episode, they cover Bo's early career at Inc. Magazine, where they made entrepreneurs and new companies the focus of their storytelling, rather than focusing on established and already successful businesses. This led him to covering some of the biggest household names of today (think Apple, Microsoft, Domino's Pizza...) but before anyone knew about them. They also covered his transition into co-authoring books about business, including Small Giants and The Great Game of Business. Bo's journey closely follows the path of many entrepreneurs: you make choices out of necessity, and you don't always end up where you thought you'd go! Bo's story is inspirational -- and applied to anyone.About Bo Burlingham - Bo was Editor-at-Large for Inc. Magazine for many years, and the author of five books, including The Great Game of Business, Finish Big, and Small Giants. Check out the full details of his long and illustrious career in business journalism here: https://boburlingham.com/about-bo/About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. (00:00:00) Intro(00:01:31) Welcome Back: Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneurship & Unlocking Moves(00:05:04) Inside Fidelity: How Business Changed Bo’s Radical Views(00:06:25) Breaking Into Inc. Magazine: The Opportunity of a Lifetime(00:14:08) Creating the Inc. 500 List & Spotlighting Future Giants(00:17:26) How Inc. Magazine Sparked the Entrepreneurial Boom(00:23:58) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:24:10) Jack Stack’s Radical Business Model & The Great Game of Business(00:35:09) Small Giants: Why Purposeful Growth Beats Fast Growth(00:36:17) Building Evergreen Companies: Lessons for Longevity(00:39:43) Bo’s Unlocking Moves: Pivotal Career Moments(00:50:09) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

How did Rick Girard go from Playboy photoshoots to being a recruiting and hiring guru?Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt talks with Rick Girard, the Founder and CEO of Intertru - and creator of the HireOS methodology. Rick started out as a "starving artist" dreaming of being a photographer for Playboy (for the art, of course!!), but seized the opportunity to join his cousin's recruiting firm in Idaho for the snowboarding (and a regular paycheck!). In this wide ranging conversation, Kurt and Rick discuss the "broken" recruiting industry, how to hire A Players for your business, and the biggest interviewing mistakes entrepreneurs make. You're gonna love this episode...the people episode!About Rick Girard - Rick is a value driven leader whose purpose is to positively impact every entrepreneur's business, ensuring they align with the strongest people for business success. His HireOS is the solution for leaders to win the strongest people by annihilating "best practices" in hiring with humanistic, evidence-driven, non-biased, and time-efficient experience. He's the author of Healing Career Wounds and the host of Hire Power Radio.About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. (00:01:18) Introduction: Welcome to Unlocking Moves(00:02:10) Unconventional Beginnings: From Playboy Photography to Recruiting(00:03:14) Meet Rick Girard: AI & HireOS Recruiting Innovator(00:09:38) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:09:51) Breaking the Mold: From Resume-Slinging to Strategic Hiring(00:11:44) The HireOS Method: Healing Career Wounds & Beyond(00:16:11) The Three Pillars of Interviewing: Pain, Desire & Impact(00:20:03) Avoiding Costly Hiring Mistakes: Evidence-Based Interviews(00:23:38) Culture & Core Values: Building Teams That Thrive(00:26:22) Hiring Archetypes: Why 'Resume, Ralph' Stands Out(00:27:47) Unlocking Moves: Pivotal Career Transitions(00:29:46) Wildest Interview Stories: Tales from the Front Lines(00:31:03) The One Interview Question You’re Never Asked: Mastering Interviews(00:34:13) Higher Power Radio: Expanding Hiring Insights(00:35:48) Wrap-Up: Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Test Here

How did this "Small Giant" of business journalism get his start? Would you believe his start including getting arrested at a radical rally in 1969?! And that's just the tip of the iceberg!Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt talks with Bo Burlingham about his background and path to becoming one of the most well-known business writers of the last 50 years. When Bo was a member of the Students for a Democratic Society and cutting his teeth with anti-war demonstrators in Paris, France in the late 60's, it was hard to imagine that he would later become an Executive Editor for Inc. Magazine, covering some of the most important entrepreneurs in history. His path included some key, pivotal decisions - what type of person did he want to be? In this conversation, he and Kurt uncover some of the key moments in his path - taking a job out of necessity with Fidelity Investments helped him see that business wasn't the "root of all evil" as he had previously believed. Strap in for a fascinating conversation - and be on the lookout for Part 2, where we will dive even more into Bo's career!About Bo Burlingham - Bo was Editor-at-Large for Inc. Magazine for many years, and the author of five books, including The Great Game of Business, Finish Big, and Small Giants. Check out the full details of his long and illustrious career in business journalism here: https://boburlingham.com/about-bo/About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. (00:00:00) The Radical Beginnings of Bo Burlingham(00:01:23) Welcome to Unlocking Moves – Featuring Bo Burlingham(00:02:13) Interviewing the World's Greatest Entrepreneurs(00:03:32) Why Bo Never Became an Entrepreneur(00:07:06) The Truth About Business – A Radical Shift(00:13:42) From Protester to Business Journalist – A Wild Journey(00:14:05) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner(00:22:29) Choosing a New Path – Escaping the Underground(00:26:32) Becoming a Journalist – A Career Unexpected(00:30:28) The Indictment That Changed Everything(00:40:32) A Four-Day Job That Led to an FBI Warrant(00:50:26) Learning to Tell Stories That Matter(00:55:10) The Power of Small Giants in Business(01:02:45) The Evolution of Entrepreneurship – Lessons from a Career

Want tips for becoming an entrepreneur, navigating venture capital, and living well to 105?! This might be the episode for you! Join us for this week's episode of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader's journey that unlocked their true potential! Many leaders only like to talk about their "glory" stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from our stumbles and mistakes, our "gory" stories. On this episode, Kurt talks with Rob Adams - Executive Partner at Alumni Ventures and seasoned venture capital investor - about the venture capital industry's relationship to entrepreneurship. Rob cut his teeth as a tech entrepreneur in the 1980s, and came to a realization that a combination of preparation, visualization, and motivation can help you achieve your goals. Rob's experience and vision led him to teaching, and ultimately creating and running the University of Texas' Venture Labs. This episode is full of insights on venture capitalism and its relationship to entrepreneurial success. Kurt and Rob also discussed Rob's latest interest -- creating a No-BS approach to health and longevity -- to help others cut through the noise around those topics. About Rob Adams - Rob is an Executive Director with Alumni Ventures, where he founded both Congress Avenue Ventures and Ring Ventures, venture funds focused on the University of Texas and Texas A&M communities. He has been active in the venture business for 30 years and previously he was on the faculty of The University of Texas where he taught entrepreneurship in the MBA program and was the Director of Texas Venture Labs. He’s a former software executive, entrepreneur and institutional fund manager. He has served on many corporate boards and has founded or financed more than 300 companies and raised significant amounts of capital in both public and private markets. About Kurt Wilkin - Kurt is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as chairman of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He's a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. Chapters: (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:37) Rob's Background, Alumni Ventures and Who are they funding? (00:11:00) How Rob and Kurt Met thru Ron Kesler and Rod Kurtz (00:12:06) Sponsor: HireBetter (00:12:18) Meeting with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs (00:15:51) What drew Rob Adams to go to academics (00:20:38) A Good Hard Kick in the Ass - Business Porn (00:25:01) Navigating High Valuations: Strategies for Startup Funding (00:26:07) Rob Adams Unlocking Moves (and some Bloopers) (00:30:07) Faith, Visualization, and Opportunity: Unlocking Career Potential (00:32:07) Choosing Potential Over Pay: An Unlocking Move (00:35:21) Rob Adams in longevity space - Lifespan.agency (00:42:15) Top 3 tips from Rob Adams (00:45:47) Rob's secret to a younger physique - Sleep and Cold showers (00:49:30) Immigrant Instincts (00:52:12) Like and Subscribe to Unlocking Moves (00:52:38) Outro (00:52:51) Wanna know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here