Business Interviews with Entrepreneurs, CEO's, Founders, Funding Sources, and Policy Makers

Mar11

“The Elite Sports Therapy & Medical Rehabilitation wanted to highlight what they conceived was the top 50 new products in sports therapy from around the world, they put the Hatfield Strap in this category.”

Keith Hatfield

Hatfield Strap

Owner & President

http://www.HatfieldStrap.com

Keith Hatfield developed the Hatfield Strap out of necessity. Keith has long suffered from plantar fasciitis and had purchased many devices to stretch the foot and calf and felt continually disappointed with the results he was getting.

After conducting research, Keith was inspired to create his own device after personally experiencing a gap in the market. He ordered the material and cut and sewed it together, and the first time he put it on he experienced the stretch he was after all along. Everyone that tries the Hatfield Strap feels that stretch right away.

BusinessInterviews.com: Have you always had an entrepreneurial spirit?

Mar10

“Salespeople who can create trust and gain respect from buyers will be incredibly valuable going forward. No amount of technology or automation can replace that.”

Gretchen Gordon

Braveheart Sales Performance

Founder, Owner & Chief Instigator

http://www.BraveheartSales.com

Braveheart Sales Performance is a sales consulting firm focused on middle-market companies and small businesses. Their customized solutions are focused on execution as opposed to theoretical strategies, and take a holistic approach to a company’s sales effectiveness and results, including employees, culture, processes and procedures.

Braveheart is led by Gretchen Gordon – a veteran sales expert with nearly a quarter-century of experience in the trenches as a powerhouse salesperson and sales manager. She personally designs all training and coaching curriculum and sets the course for the business.

BusinessInterviews.com: Can you talk about the process of creating a truly transformational learning system designed to meet the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses?

Mar7

”Employers that cannot figure out the “Attraction and Retention Equation” are on a death spiral.“

Chris Wood

Paige Technologies

Managing Partner

http://www.PaigeTech.com

Founded in 2002, Paige Technologies, LLC is a Kansas City based professional services company focused on information technology talent placement. They have developed a proprietary game changing approach that aligns people, not only for skill, but also for organizational personality compatibility – guaranteeing success.
Successful job placement is much more than a match of skills. In fact, they don’t match; we PAIR. Pairing methodology is used to unite companies with people. Environment and personality equivalents are vital for job satisfaction and career strength.

Statistics show happiness breeds success and it’s proven that happiness is a by-product of pairing individuals with companies the Paige way, for head AND heart. Paige capitalizes on finding top talent and understanding which companies to connect candidates with for synonymous vitality. They call it Co-Destiny.

BusinessInterviews.com: How has your experience and background help influence your vision for Paige Technologies?

Mar6

“In sales, everybody has a number to hit; there’s time pressure and numerous constraints that prevent people from taking the time to think creatively.”

Mark Donnolo

SalesGlobe

Managing Partner

http://www.SalesGlobe.com

Mark Donnolo is managing partner of SalesGlobe and author of “The Innovative Sale” and “What Your CEO Needs to Know About Sales Compensation.”

SalesGlobe is a sales effectiveness consulting and services firm that focuses on Sales Innovation – in the form of sales strategy design, and sales training, development, and coaching — and Sales Motivation, in the form of sales compensation design.

Mark graduated from the University of the Arts and worked as a designer in New York for several years before earning his MBA at UNC Chapel Hill and spending the next 25 years helping Fortune 500 sales organizations. He brings the best of right brain and left brain thinking to sales, increasing effective team skills and results.

BusinessInterviews.com: Can you tell us a bit about the concept behind Sales Transformation and if you believe that all business could benefit from making changes to their current sales approach?

Mar5

“Our pivot point was a realization of value creation.”

Michael Talve

The Expert Institute

Founder & Managing Director

http://www.TheExpertInstitute.com

The Expert Institute was launched in 2010 to disrupt the expert referral market. The company provides subject matter experts to legal and financial firms for various projects that include litigation, due diligence, and investment research matters. The Expert Institute custom recruits specialists who are leaders and authorities in their field, rather than providing experts from a Rolodex.

The Expert Institute has provided services to more than 3,000 firms throughout the U.S. and also has clients in Canada and the UK.

They were voted one of the “Best Expert Referral Services” of 2013 by the New York Law Journal

BusinessInterviews.com: What inspired you to launch The Expert Institute?

Mar4

“I think the challenge of millenial learners in general is certainly an issue, but I also think that technology – especially mobile technology – is important.”

David Mattson

Sandler Systems, Inc.

CEO & Partner

http://www.Sandler.com

David Mattson is CEO and a partner at Sandler Systems, Inc., an international training and consulting organization headquartered in the United States. In 1986, Mattson met the founder of Sandler Training, David H. Sandler, and fell in love with his philosophy, methods and materials. In 1988, he went to work for Mr. Sandler, and was eventually chosen to lead the company. Mattson continues to be a trainer and business consultant for management, sales, interpersonal communication, corporate team building and strategic planning worldwide.

Sandler Training is a global training organization with over three decades of experience and proven results. Sandler provides sales and management training and consulting services for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as corporate training for Fortune 1000 companies. Their proven methodologies and specialized tools equip their trainees with the skills necessary to improve both their business and bottom line.

BusinessInterviews.com: Can you share an example of how your love of new and exciting ideas influences how you lead your team and company in general?

Mar3

“When saying “no“ can lead to success”

Beth VanStory

ThinkOut

Principal Consultant

http://www.ThinkOut.com

Beth VanStory is an online business pioneer. Since running New Media for The Weather Channel and leading OfficeDepot.com to profitability in its first year, she has built, managed and advised teams and organizations on leveraging the online channel. Beth has spoken at numerous conferences, testified before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, and taught marketing at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Her firm, Thinkout, provides strategic and marketing consulting and executive coaching to companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500. Beth and her team help clients strategically leverage technology and the benefits of the Internet to improve customer experience, drive business efficiencies and maximize cross-channel opportunities. Sample clients include Verizon, The Wine Enthusiast, and numerous smaller companies.

BusinessInterviews.com: What are some ways that you help your clients identify market opportunities that they may have overlooked?

Feb28

“It’s time for nonprofit organizations to embrace the spirit, soul, and swagger of running a business.”

P.D. Walker

P. D. Walker, J.D., M.B.A.

President & CEO

http://www.PDWalker.com

Raised in North Carolina by his grandparents, Patrick is a first generation college graduate, professor, lawyer, and southern gentleman with 18+ years of demonstrated expertise in educational and organizational leadership, corporate diversity and inclusion, corporate governance, business planning, compliance, management, and assessment. He is experienced with helping organizations achieve the fundamental business ingredients of success as they navigate through critical management and legal decision-making processes.

Patrick conducts management seminars for local and national nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. His teaching experience includes courses in management, law, strategy, leadership, ethics, and small business consulting. Published in management journals, law journals, and conference proceedings, Patrick’s research explores interdisciplinary approaches to small business and nonprofit “matchmaking” and social entrepreneurship.

BusinessInterviews.com: Where does your passion for entrepreneurship come from?

Feb28

“Lifeguarding isn’t just an activity. It’s a qualification.”

Stephané Rebeck McCormick

Backyard Lifeguards, LLC

Director

http://www.Backyard-Lifeguards.com

Stephané Rebeck McCormick has been a lifeguard since 1985. A native of New Jersey, worked a swim instructor with the YWCA of Princeton and as an oceanfront lifeguard with the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol on Long Beach Island. As Aquatic Program Manager for Clayton Parks & Recreation, she set regional enrollment records and earned her department the prestigious Best in Aquatics award from Aquatics International. She is a 2007 American Red Cross Community Lifesaver and a 2012 graduate of the United States Lifesaving Association Surf Rescue Training Officer Academy.

Backyard Lifeguards is a portable professional water safety service, providing contract aquatic supervision and rescue services to private locations and special events. The company also offers customized evaluations of event locations and on-site safety training.

BusinessInterviews.com: What are some of the most over looked issues when it comes to swim safety?

Feb27

“We are recreating the concept of walking into a flower shop, but online.”

Farbod Shoraka

BloomNation

CEO & Co-Founder

http://www.BloomNation.com

Farbod Shoraka drives BloomNation’s vision, strategy and growth. Rebuilding the concept of sending flowers online from the ground up, Farbod aims to disrupt the industry with ideas that change the ways flowers are sent online. An economics graduate from University of California, Berkeley, Farbod has always had a passion for understanding models and creating solutions for the greater good. Prior to BloomNation, Farbod was an analyst in Mergers & Acquisitions and corporate strategy. Farbod’s favorite flower is the Casablanca Lily.

BloomNation was founded by 3 friends who were tired of finding the same uninspiring flowers across the internet, BloomNation allows local artisan florists to list their own designs for sale in an online marketplace, so consumers can discover and send unique handcrafted arrangements available from nearby florists. Whether you are looking for a traditional dozen red roses or a one-of-a-kind design, BloomNation lets you discover and send your perfect gift, at any price point, in more than 3,000 cities across the country.

BusinessInterviews.com: How is BloomNation disrupting the traditional floral industry?

Feb26

“It’s our goal as a company to find ways to continue to improve ShiftNote, yet at the same time keep the software simple and easy to use.”

Matt Thompson

ShiftNote

Founder

http://www.shiftnote.com

Launched in 2002, ShiftNote was formed to replace traditional paper log books used in the hospitality industry with a digital format. The adventure started in Kansas City, MO, and they have since grown to have satellite offices in both Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA.

ShiftNote provides Web-based employee scheduling software and a suite of shift management communication tools that can be used for all industries. It replaces messy paper & files with an easy-to-use online system that will help you better manage your workforce.

BusinessInterviews.com: How did you come up with the concept behind ShiftNote?

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Spotlight Interview: Dave Mattson

Spotlight Interview: David Allen

Spotlight Interview: Gordon Logan

“The Elite Sports Therapy & Medical Rehabilitation wanted to highlight what they conceived was the top 50 new products in sports therapy from around the world, they put the Hatfield Strap in this category.”

“Salespeople who can create trust and gain respect from buyers will be incredibly valuable going forward. No amount of technology or automation can replace that.”

”Employers that cannot figure out the “Attraction and Retention Equation” are on a death spiral.“

“In sales, everybody has a number to hit; there’s time pressure and numerous constraints that prevent people from taking the time to think creatively.”

“Our pivot point was a realization of value creation.”

“I think the challenge of millenial learners in general is certainly an issue, but I also think that technology – especially mobile technology – is important.”

“When saying “no“ can lead to success”

“Lifeguarding isn’t just an activity. It’s a qualification.”

“We are recreating the concept of walking into a flower shop, but online.”

“It’s our goal as a company to find ways to continue to improve ShiftNote, yet at the same time keep the software simple and easy to use.”

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