Key Topics Covered:

• The Hidden Truth About Today's Real Estate Market: Why soft commercial real estate markets are actually the BEST buying opportunities for informed investors. Office vacancies, rising refinancing costs, and panicked sellers create asymmetric opportunities for disciplined investors.
• Building Passive Income: The Multifamily Housing Model: Discover why Wayne's firm keeps 80% of its portfolio in multifamily housing (100-150 unit properties across Texas). Learn about the cash flow, depreciation benefits, and appreciation potential that make multifamily the most reliable real estate asset class.
• The 2-4 Deal Strategy That Changes Everything: Most real estate entrepreneurs fail by scaling too fast. Wayne explains why CREi Partners deliberately limits deals to 2-4 per year while continuously strengthening internal capabilities. This disciplined approach separates sustainable wealth builders from those who fade quietly.
• Leadership During Market Downturns: Real estate success isn't about luck—it's about leadership. Wayne reveals the RIDGE values (Respect, Integrity, Dependability, Grit, Execution) that have kept his team strong through market volatility. Learn how the best investors over-communicate, think partnership-first, and never blame external factors.
• From W2 Employee to Company Founder: The real, often-hidden struggles of leaving corporate life to build a real estate empire. Wayne discusses the genuine stress of entrepreneurship, the dopamine hit of quarterly investor distributions, and the long-term vision that sustains motivation.
• Why Education Comes First: Before raising capital or closing deals, accredited investors need to understand what they're actually buying. Wayne's free Passive Investor Coaching program (passiveinvestorcoaching.com) represents his philosophy: educate first, sell second.

Why This Episode Matters:

Whether you're an accredited investor exploring alternatives to the stock market, a business owner seeking passive income diversification, or simply curious about how wealthy people build wealth, this conversation delivers actionable insights from someone who has actually done it—across multiple market cycles, in a real company, with real investors.

Guest Bio:

Wayne Courreges III is the founder and principal of CREi Partners, a commercial real estate investment firm specializing in accredited investor opportunities. With 19 years in the industry (including 16 years at CBRE, a Fortune 500 leader), Wayne has become an expert in multifamily housing, development, and navigating complex real estate cycles. He's an Eagle Scout, former Marine, and passionate advocate for investor education. CREi Partners currently manages $60+ million in assets across multifamily properties and development projects primarily in Texas.

Perfect For:

✓ Accredited investors seeking passive real estate opportunities

✓ Entrepreneurs building multi-income streams

✓ Real estate professionals exploring new strategies

✓ Business leaders interested in wealth diversification

✓ Anyone curious about commercial real estate in 2025

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Chris Prefontaine, founder of Smart Real Estate Coach and one of the most respected names in creative real estate investing across the United States. Chris has spent over 34 years in the real estate business. He built homes, ran a Realty Executives franchise, sold his brokerage to Coldwell Banker in 2000, and was riding high until 2008 hit him like a freight train.

The crash wiped him out completely. We are talking about going from a waterfront home overlooking the harbor in Newport, Rhode Island to a 976 square foot apartment. No money. Destroyed credit. Starting over at zero. Most people would have walked away from real estate forever. Chris did not. He rebuilt using a completely different set of rules: no bank loans, no personal guarantees, and no more getting paid once on a deal like he was running on a treadmill.

That thinking became the Three Payday System, a federally trademarked model that structures every deal to generate three separate income events: money at the transaction, monthly income like a rental property, and a final cash-out payday when the deal closes. One deal. Three paydays. No bank required.

Chris also shares the story of a condominium conversion project in Providence, Rhode Island that nearly finished him for good. Units selling at 170,000 dollars became impossible to move at 52,000 dollars overnight. He carried that weight for a decade and came out of it with one rule he teaches before anything else: never sign a personal guarantee on a deal. Not ever.

He also gives three concrete steps for anyone starting in real estate today: pick one niche you can stand behind completely, find a mentor who has survived real market cycles, and commit to that path for three to seven years without chasing the next shiny opportunity. Straightforward advice that applies to any industry, not just real estate.

This is not a motivational episode built on vague inspiration. It is an honest conversation between two experienced entrepreneurs about what actually works when the market turns against you.

Ready to explore creative real estate investing? Chris offers two completely free resources with no credit card required. Grab two bestselling books at threepaydaysbooks.com/proven or watch his free 25-minute Masters Class at smartrealestatecoach.com/mastersclass.

In this episode, Don sits down with Kevin Thompson—founder of Impact and Legacy Collective and host of the Kevin Thompson Million Dollar Relationships podcast—for a conversation that cuts deeper than most entrepreneur networking podcasts dare to go. This isn’t about tactics, hacks, or polished highlight reels. It’s about the question underneath the question.

Kevin has spent years building high-trust relationships in the entrepreneurial world, resulting in nearly 600 strategic partnerships over more than a decade. From the outside, his success looks effortless. Inside the conversation, Kevin reveals the uncomfortable truths behind it—choices made without being asked, trust built at real cost, and a way of giving that was never meant to be a strategy.

Together, Don and Kevin explore why so many impact-driven entrepreneurs stop just short of their most important chapter, why trust in business is misunderstood, and what truly separates founders who feel empty after success from those who build something lasting. The discussion challenges listeners to consider what people say about them when they’re not in the room—and whether they’re building a real legacy or just staying busy.

This is a rare, authentic conversation about entrepreneur mindset, relationships, and legacy—one that speaks to founders, CEOs, and builders who care about impact as much as profit. It’s an episode worth listening to twice: once to hear it, and once because something Kevin says won’t let go.

If you’re looking for a podcast about building meaningful relationships that lead to million-dollar deals—without reducing relationships to a growth hack—this is it.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with leadership coach David Deane-Spread, founder of MediTude, who joins the conversation from Perth, Western Australia. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience coaching CEOs, senior executives, and board leaders, David shares practical leadership insights shaped by both business and military environments.

The conversation moves beyond surface-level leadership advice and explores how real teams operate under pressure. David explains why building a company that people genuinely want to work for can quietly become the strongest competitive advantage a business can have. He also shares why leaders who listen, ask questions, and encourage challenge often build stronger teams than those who rely only on authority.

Throughout the discussion, Don and David explore the subtle dynamics between leadership and followership, the importance of psychological safety inside teams, and why many leaders struggle with the conversations that matter most.

Listeners will also hear stories from David’s background in military, intelligence, and law enforcement leadership environments, where preparation, reflection, and accountability play a major role in team performance. These experiences shape how he now advises entrepreneurs, founders, and executives on building healthier workplace culture and stronger organizations.

Rather than presenting leadership as a rigid framework, this episode invites listeners to rethink how leadership actually works inside modern businesses.

Topics Discussed

- Leadership and executive coaching

- Workplace culture and team performance

- Why culture often drives business success

- Leadership versus followership in organizations

- Psychological safety inside teams

- Hiring people with diverse perspectives

- The role of listening and curiosity in leadership

- Necessary conversations in management

- Lessons from military leadership applied to business

- Building high-performing teams

In this conversation, host Don Williams sits down with Noah Rosenfarb, a third‑generation CPA, entrepreneur, and founder of WealthThrive, to explore the practical and often overlooked decisions that help founders keep more of what they earn. Noah joins from Paris while spending a year abroad with his family, a real‑life example of designing a business that supports freedom rather than controls it. 

Listeners will hear how Noah went from building a family office for divorced women to creating a specialized tax strategy firm for seven and eight figure entrepreneurs. He explains why most business owners unknowingly operate without a real tax plan, and how simple yearly planning can prevent the shock of surprise tax bills. He breaks down his well known 20 Percent Rule, teaching founders how to build income streams before selling so they enter their exit with confidence, not uncertainty. 

Noah also shares stories that reveal the mindset behind wealth, including the moment a large boat taught him how to enjoy the rewards of disciplined saving without guilt. He discusses the role teams play in creating freedom, how he traveled for a year while his company ran smoothly, and why many entrepreneurs remain stuck because they never let their people lead. The episode ends with a thoughtful look at legacy, storytelling, and what it really means to live rich beyond money. 

What You Will Learn

• How most founders unintentionally overpay on taxes: Noah explains why accountants often say there is nothing you can do, and what real tax strategy looks like for high earners. 
• The 20 Percent Rule for life after an exit: A simple exercise that helps you build financial independence before leaving your business. 
• Why founders must build teams that allow them to step away: Noah’s year of travel reveals the power of the right visionary integrator balance and the danger of staying stuck in the E‑Myth cycle. 
• The emotional side of wealth: From boat expenses to Miami Heat playoff tickets, Noah shares how he learned to enjoy wealth after a lifetime of disciplined saving. 
• What legacy truly looks like: Why Noah documents his life for his children and how stories shape the next generation’s relationship with money.

Perfect For Listeners Who Are:

✔️ Founders planning an exit

✔️ High earning entrepreneurs who want to reduce taxes

✔️ Leaders seeking more freedom and better team structure

✔️ Professionals wanting to build a life that matches their values

✔️ Anyone curious about money, mindset, and long term wealth

Listen If You Want To:

• Keep more of what you earn
• Build financial independence earlier
• Create a business that supports your life
• Find clarity around your relationship with money
• Learn simple, practical steps to build long lasting wealth

Christian shares his journey starting as a 27 year old who took a leap of faith by going into debt to purchase an accounting franchise. He reflects on the early days of "youthful ignorance," where a lack of fear allowed him to take risks that paved the way for his future success. However, the path was not without its hurdles. From facing extreme burnout to almost bankrupting his company due to an "unhealthy desire to grow," Christian is candid about the internal and external battles every leader faces.

The conversation shifts to the critical mindset shifts required to stop being the bottleneck in your own business. Christian discusses the danger of self limiting beliefs, specifically the myth that one must work harder to make more money. Instead, he advocates for a model of leveraging the efforts of others and using the "language of accounting" to understand the true story your numbers are telling.

Whether you are a creative agency owner or a seasoned founder, this episode offers a deep look into:

1. The transition from a solo operator to a true business owner.
2. How to handle the "gut punch" moments of entrepreneurship.
3. The role of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in turning a struggling business around.
4. The importance of being intentional about profit rather than just chasing top line revenue.

Join us as we uncover how to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind by aligning your future vision with fiscal reality.

Topics Discussed:

1. Overcoming the "growth trap" and scaling with confidence.
2. The concept of youthful ignorance in early stage startups.
3. Moving past self limiting beliefs regarding money and effort.
4. The difference between an EO qualifying business and a lifestyle job.
5. Using financial storytelling to guide decision making.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Sid Jashnani, founder of Rekruuto, for a conversation that moves far beyond offshore staffing.

Sid shares how Rekruuto was born during COVID from a simple, unexpected idea with his former assistant in the Philippines. What began as a way to help one person keep her job evolved into a global offshore staffing company serving businesses across the US and Europe — with over 200 team members and an employer-of-record model that supports Filipino professionals with real security and benefits.

But this episode isn’t just about remote teams.

Don and Sid dive into:

• The biggest productivity lie entrepreneurs believe
• Why chasing shiny AI ideas can quietly derail focus
• The four-quadrant time audit every founder should run
• Delegation mistakes that destroy growth
• AI agents + humans and the future of outcome-based staffing
• Leadership lessons from scaling with strong complementary talent

Then the conversation takes a deeply personal turn.

Sid opens up about his son’s rare diagnosis of aplastic anemia, the emotional breaking point that nearly collapsed both life and business, and how faith, systems, and perspective helped him rebuild.

This episode is about entrepreneurship, yes. But it’s also about resilience, priorities, family, leadership, AI in business, offshore hiring, and what truly matters when everything feels at risk.

If you’re a founder, operator, or leader trying to scale without losing yourself in the process, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Entities Mentioned

1. Don Williams: Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show.
2. Sid Jashnani: Founder of Rekruuto and expert in global staffing.
3. Rekruuto: A recruitment and staffing agency specializing in offshore talent from the Philippines.\
4. Marchee: Sid’s former assistant and current business partner who co-founded Rekruuto.
5. The Philippines: The primary hub for Rekruuto’s specialized offshore talent pool.

They trust it.

That’s what makes this conversation unsettling in the best way.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, Don Williams speaks with Frank Campbell, a veteran financial professional who has spent decades inside the life insurance industry. What he shares isn’t about bad actors or rare edge cases. It’s about how ordinary assumptions quietly turn into money mistakes, even for successful entrepreneurs and executives.

This life insurance podcast explores what happens after a policy is signed and filed away. Frank walks through how policies are designed, how they change over time, and why many people only discover problems when a letter arrives years later. The kind of letter no one expects. The kind that turns “peace of mind” into panic.

Through real examples and clear analogies, this financial planning podcast looks at the hidden mechanics behind long-term protection, the risks founders often overlook, and why reviewing insurance matters just as much as reviewing investments. It’s not about fear. It’s about understanding what you already own.

If you’re a business owner, executive, or professional who values wealth protection and long-term security, this entrepreneur finance podcast episode will make you pause before assuming everything is fine.

Listen closely. Not everything that’s quiet is working.

This business podcast episode is designed for entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and professionals who earn well but feel that money is still loud, chaotic, or mentally exhausting. Clare shares how her journey from trading and traditional advisory work led her to develop quieter, more intentional wealth strategies that align with long-term freedom.

As an entrepreneur podcast and wealth podcast, this conversation explores how wealthy individuals actually think about money, why income alone does not create peace, and how mindset shapes every financial decision. Listeners will hear why this approach is becoming essential in today’s volatile world of noise, pressure, and constant hustle.

You’ll learn:

1. Why quiet wealth is different from traditional success narratives

2. How this financial freedom podcast reframes money as a tool, not a source of stress

3. What separates loud investing from thoughtful financial strategy

4. Why high earners struggle with money mindset despite success

This episode also fits perfectly for listeners searching for a money mindset podcast, a high net worth podcast, or an alternative investing podcast focused on clarity over chaos. Clare explains how founder thinking, long-term planning, and calm execution shape real wealth.

If you’re looking for a podcast about quiet wealth and financial freedom, an entrepreneur podcast on wealth mindset, or a podcast for high income professionals, this conversation delivers perspective without hype.

Listen now and discover how wealthy people reduce financial stress by changing how they think, not just how they earn.

This conversation explores entrepreneur mindset through lived experience, not theory. Jason breaks down real startup lessons from running multiple brands, transitioning from brand owner to manufacturer, and building a modern manufacturing business that scaled faster than anything he had done before. He also shares candid insights on business decision making, including the most expensive hiring mistakes in business and why hiring A players in a startup is non-negotiable for long-term growth.

Listeners will hear how entrepreneurs think differently about risk, why scaling a business requires clarity more than hustle, and how leadership mindset evolves over time. Jason reflects on redefining success beyond revenue, protecting work-life balance for entrepreneurs, and building a company that supports both ambition and personal fulfillment.

If you’re a founder, CEO, coach, or leadership team member looking for business success stories rooted in reality, this entrepreneur mindset podcast episode offers perspective you can apply immediately — especially if you’re facing uncertainty or considering your next move.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Dean Lyulkin and William Stern, co-founders of Cardiff, a privately held small business lender that has deployed more than $10 billion to Main Street businesses across the United States.

Their story begins long before boardrooms and balance sheets. Dean arrived in America as a child refugee from Ukraine. William grew up alongside him in San Diego. They opened a joint bank account as teenagers, stayed friends through school and college, and eventually reunited to build a company that would weather the 2008 financial crisis, the collapse of traditional small business lending, and the economic shock of COVID.

This conversation goes beyond numbers. Dean and William talk candidly about how partnerships actually work when opinions collide, why “strategic laziness” is really about delegation, and how leadership roles must evolve over time. They share lessons from scaling Cardiff with technology, navigating existential business crises, and keeping enough cash on hand when everything else feels uncertain.

The episode also explores how their definition of success has changed over two decades. What started as ambition and growth has matured into something quieter and harder to protect: peace, freedom, and the ability to choose how and with whom they work.

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or business owner thinking about partnerships, leadership, or building something that lasts, this episode offers lived experience rather than theory.

In this raw and honest conversation with host Don Williams, RJon shares how he built a $36 million organization that serves hundreds of law firms while managing everything from CEO services to sales training and bookkeeping operations. But the real story isn't about the wins. It's about the losses that forced him to pivot.

Discover the critical difference between understanding your business and getting lost in the practice of your profession. Learn why lawyers, doctors, restaurateurs, and countless other professionals make the same costly mistake that holds them back from scaling. RJon breaks down the one question he's asked to thousands of entrepreneurs since 1999 that most still get wrong.

Hear the painful $3 million lesson about hiring that transformed into a blessing, resulting in a business model that's set to grow from $35 million to $150 million in the next three years. Understand why failing fast is infinitely better than slow, agonizing suffering, and how the biggest failures often lead to the biggest wins.

This episode covers real entrepreneurial challenges, from marketing campaigns that bombed to the importance of shipping your work even when it's not perfect. RJon shares his unconventional approach to building an audience, creating trust, and letting customers tell you what products and services they actually need.

You'll hear practical wisdom about hiring professionals who can compress decades into years, why paralyzing perfectionism kills momentum, and how to view every setback as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. This conversation cuts through the motivational fluff and gives you the strategic clarity that separates thriving entrepreneurs from struggling ones.

Whether you're thinking about starting a business, scaling an existing one, or stuck in the gap between having a practice and having a real business, this episode offers the perspective shift you need.

Content Highlights:

• Why understanding your business is completely different from mastering your profession
• The $3 million hiring mistake that became a strategic breakthrough
• Why bigger failures create bigger wins in entrepreneurship
• How to build an audience and let them tell you what to sell
• The one question that reveals most entrepreneurs are confused about their business
• Why shipping imperfect work beats endless planning
• How to hire professionals who compress years of learning into months
• The waiting list strategy that protects brand quality while building demand
• Real examples from law firms, restaurants, hotels, and beyond
• The mindset shift from "I have a practice" to "I have a business"

This episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show brings you a refreshingly honest Bill Duguay interview—one that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what real leadership looks like when the pressure is real, the stakes are high, and the vision feels bigger than the person holding it.

Bill’s journey didn’t start in a boardroom. It started sweeping floors, picking up nails, working his way through engineering school, and eventually becoming a president and CEO. Somewhere between the job sites, long nights, and never-ending responsibility, he discovered the one thing most founders never figure out: how to lead without losing yourself.

Inside this conversation, you’ll hear how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed his approach to entrepreneurship, business management, and business growth—not as a theory, but as a lived experience. Don Williams and Bill move through the kinds of stories and insights that only show up when people talk without filters: why leaders avoid the conversations their teams desperately need, how effective delegation actually works, and why some entrepreneurs stay stuck long after their business outgrows their habits.

They dive into topics like:

• The hidden cost of trying to hold everything together
• Why the best leaders learn to step back before they step up
• How EOS helps small business leadership teams stop spinning and start scaling
• The emotional battle behind letting go of the “chief-doer” identity
• Building an aligned, healthy culture without burning out
• What real leadership team coaching sounds like in the trenches
• Why communication—not strategy—is the real dividing line between thriving and drowning

There’s no preaching here. No clichés. Just two seasoned voices breaking down what happens when vision meets reality—and how the right operating system can pull a business (and a leader’s life) back into balance.

If you’re in the stage where your company is growing but your calendar, emotions, or expectations are collapsing… this Entrepreneurial Operating System podcast episode may be the one that finally gives you clarity.

Download it. Listen closely. Your next leadership breakthrough might be hiding in this conversation.

Before he founded Outcomes Rocket, Saul Marquez spent 17 years in medical devices, living what many would call a "dream career." In this candid conversation with host Don Williams on The Proven Entrepreneur Show, Saul shares how he walked away from that security to build a specialist healthcare marketing agency serving health tech, medical device companies, and ambulatory provider groups. If you've ever felt torn between a safe path and a bigger vision, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar in the best way.

You'll hear Saul break down his simple decision framework of "dreams and data"—how he used both gut instinct and real-world evidence from over 2,000 podcast interviews with healthcare leaders to validate his leap into healthcare entrepreneurship. The discussion dives deep into health tech marketing, medical device marketing, and why "you sell like you buy" is one of the most practical mindset checks for any founder, CEO, or marketing leader. They unpack why "cheap marketing" is so expensive, when to stop DIYing and hire real experts, and how to think about podcasts and webinars for lead generation in today's healthcare landscape.

Saul also shares a raw story about a webinar gone wrong—a painful early failure that turned into a long-term client relationship and bulletproof SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) through radical ownership. Along the way, Don and Saul talk about comfort zones, "burn the boats" moments, choosing mentors wisely, and what big thinkers in healthcare are really struggling with behind the scenes. This conversation covers essential topics for anyone navigating the intersection of healthcare business growth and digital transformation.

What You'll Learn:

1. How to validate a business idea using the "dreams and data" framework before taking the leap
2. Why healthcare commercialization requires strategic marketing partnerships, not budget solutions
3. The psychological barriers keeping healthcare professionals from becoming successful entrepreneurs
4. How B2B healthcare marketing differs from other industries and why it requires specialized expertise
5. The role of content marketing, webinars, and podcasts in healthcare lead generation
6. Why 10X growth is easier than 2X growth—and what that means for your strategy
7. How to recover from catastrophic failures and turn them into competitive advantages
8. The importance of surrounding yourself with mentors who've already achieved your goals
9. Practical strategies for health tech and medical device company growth
10. The "three M's of leadership": Mindset, Mission, and Methodology

Why This Episode Matters:

This isn't generic entrepreneurship advice—it's a masterclass in healthcare business strategy from someone who's built a thriving agency while serving some of the most complex organizations in the industry. If you're a health tech founder, medical device company leader, healthcare CEO, ambulatory provider, or anyone in the healthcare sales space wondering why your marketing isn't working, this conversation will rewire how you think about growth.

Subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more unfiltered conversations with leaders building billion-dollar healthcare businesses and navigating healthcare commercialization. 

Doug shares how most sales challenges begin with unrealistic goals, unclear ideal clients, and teams that freeze when stress climbs. He talks about his early lessons from his father, cases from his consulting work, and the math based approach he uses to help businesses build predictable revenue. You will hear how re engaging dormant clients creates fast results, why the right buyer matters more than the loudest market, and how small wins can shift a team out of fear and back into performance. The episode also includes a candid moment from Doug’s own life when he had to rebuild using nothing but his phone and his network.

Topics discussed include the sales mindset, predictable revenue, buyer psychology, ideal client identification, prospecting, client retention, outbound strategy, performance habits, realistic goal setting, and relationship driven selling. Entities mentioned in the conversation include CEO Sales Strategies, private consulting clients, and stories from Doug’s early work in his family’s business.

If you are an entrepreneur, a solopreneur, a founder, or someone responsible for sales inside a growing company, this episode gives you practical insight you can use today. Listen in, take a few notes, and you may find that the path to growth is easier than it looks once the mind gets clear.

Entities & Resources Mentioned:

• Doug C. Brown: CEO of CEO Sales Strategies.
• Don Williams: Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show.
• Judge Ziglar: Brother of Zig Ziglar and world-record holder in sales (referenced by Don).
• Glengarry Glen Ross: Referenced regarding outdated "Always Be Closing" tactics.
• Book: Romancing Your Customer by Don Williams.
• Concept: The Rolodex (as a metaphor for your network).

Jermane shares how freedom-based entrepreneurship shaped his path and why simple business models continue to guide his decisions. The conversation touches on the founder mindset, how founders stay motivated and the moments where resilience in business matters more than speed. Don explores how entrepreneurs simplify operations without losing momentum and how to create financial freedom without burnout. Each part of their dialogue shows how clarity grows when a person pays attention to the work that feels steady and aligned rather than forced.

Listeners also hear how leveraging partnerships can shorten the path to progress and why a healthy sales mindset is often built on listening rather than pressure. It feels less like a sales podcast and more like an honest look at how influence, trust and small shifts can create long-term benefits. The themes of business mindset transformations and simple daily habits repeat throughout the episode without giving away the details behind them.

If you want a conversation that speaks to founders who value focus over noise, this episode offers a calm and grounded look at the habits that support a stable business life. Press play to experience a meaningful exchange that may help you see your own work through a clearer lens.

In this powerful episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Luke Van Der Veer, founder of Website Rental Coaching, to uncover how one decision to escape a corporate job turned into a thriving entrepreneurial movement.

Luke Van Der Veer shares how he went from working in human resources to building a six-figure passive-income business by renting SEO-optimized websites to small businesses. He reveals the mindset shifts that transformed his frustration into freedom, how he helps others create their own income streams, and why true success isn’t measured in money - but in impact and peace of mind.

You’ll learn how Luke built a creative, sustainable business model that balances income, independence, and influence - and what it really takes to transition from employee to entrepreneur without losing your sanity.

In This Episode with Luke Van Der Veer:

• How to build a profitable website rental business from scratch
• The mindset and resilience required to quit the 9-to-5 life
• Lessons from Luke’s journey - from failure to financial freedom
• Why impact matters more than income
• How entrepreneurs can create balance, peace, and purpose

Luke’s story isn’t just inspiring - it’s proof that anyone can rewrite their career path and build a life of meaning, flexibility, and ownership.

Tune in now to discover the step-by-step lessons from Luke Van Der Veer’s entrepreneurial journey, and learn how to take your own leap into freedom.

Connect with Luke Van Der Veer:

Website: WebsiteRentalCoaching.com

Instagram: LukeVanDerVeer

Connect with Don Williams:

Website: ProvenEntrepreneurShow.com

YouTube: The Proven Entrepreneur Show

From his early days of service to building a nationwide firm with over 250 employees, Robert Braiman opens up about the real journey of entrepreneurship — the long nights, the leadership lessons, and the family-driven purpose that keeps founders going when the odds stack up.

Together, Don and Robert explore:

• How military discipline shaped Robert’s leadership and problem-solving mindset.
• The creation of Cogent’s “Profit Platform” — a framework that helps entrepreneurs grow profitably and sustainably.
• The toughest conversations small business owners avoid — and how facing them leads to breakthrough growth.
• The real meaning of success, risk-taking, and work-life balance for modern entrepreneurs.
• How storytelling, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership can transform any business into a wealth-building legacy.

This isn’t another feel-good business chat. It’s a masterclass in building, leading, and scaling a purpose-driven business — one that thrives on Main Street, not just Wall Street.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative agency founder, or small-business owner who wants to grow smarter (not just harder), this episode will reignite your why and give you actionable strategies to turn your business into a wealth creation vehicle.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Mike Milligan, Certified Financial Planner and founder of 1 Oak Financial, to unpack the tax strategies and mindset shifts that helped him build a multi-million dollar business—while legally paying just 2% in total tax.

Mike shares his journey from counting cash in coffee cans for his grandmother’s cornbread sandwich hustle to becoming a bestselling author of The One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan. You’ll hear how desperation sparked innovation, and how real-life lessons shaped his mission to help entrepreneurs build wealth and reclaim time.

Topics Discussed:

• The #1 financial mistake entrepreneurs make (and how to fix it)
• Tax-saving strategies like the Augusta Rule and Section 179 depreciation
• Why Mike moved to Puerto Rico for tax optimization
• A real-life case study: how a realtor went from $40K to $1M net worth
• The importance of working with entrepreneurs—not employees

Listener Benefits:

• Learn how to legally reduce your tax burden
• Discover practical wealth-building strategies
• Get inspired by real transformation stories
• Understand how to reclaim time by outsourcing
• Hear why working with entrepreneurial advisors matters

Whether you're a founder, real estate agent, B2B leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers actionable strategies and real-world wisdom to help you thrive financially.

Jesse is a global authority in AI, data consulting, and sales optimization, and in this episode, he breaks down how smart businesses are using generative AI not just to follow trends—but to actually drive results. We dive deep into the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when implementing AI, why most lead generation efforts are a waste of time, and how Jesse’s company Idealeed uses AI to pinpoint the exact B2B customers most likely to buy.

We also explore:

• Why “adding AI” without strategy is a recipe for failure
• How to build scalable AI systems that actually work
• The truth about AI hallucinations and how to avoid them
• What makes a real AI expert vs. a LinkedIn pretender
• How data-driven decisions can transform your customer experience

Whether you're a founder, executive, or just curious about the future of technology adoption in business, this episode is packed with insights that will challenge your thinking and elevate your strategy.

So grab your headphones and get ready to learn how to augment your humans, optimize your sales, and unlock the full potential of AI in entrepreneurship. Trust me—this one’s a game-changer.

Welcome, dreamers, doers, and those stuck somewhere in between.

This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s a front-row seat to a story that will shake your assumptions, stir your ambition, and maybe even make you a little uncomfortable—in the best way possible.

Meet John Gleason, a man who didn’t just flirt with risk—he married it. He took out a $67,000 loan against his modest Boston home, not to renovate or invest in something safe, but to build a business from scratch. No investors. No safety net. Just belief. And for seven long years, that belief was tested in ways most of us can’t imagine. No paychecks. No bank support. Just mounting pressure, growing responsibilities, and a family watching it all unfold.

But John didn’t fold.

He kept showing up. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. And through it all, one thing never left his desk: a three-ring binder. Inside it? A business plan—not just a document, but a living, breathing roadmap that guided every decision, every pivot, every late-night call to a vendor asking for just a little more time.

This episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show with host Don Williams isn’t about overnight success. It’s about the grind behind the glory. It’s about what it really takes to go from being unbankable to securing a $1.785 million credit line, scaling to $14 million in revenue, and selling to a private equity firm—all without losing your soul.

You’ll hear about the moments that nearly broke him. The quiet conversations at home when the money ran out. The vendors who had to be convinced to stay. The employees who were given ownership of their roles and the freedom to lead. And the moment when, after years of struggle, John walked into a national trade show and walked out with a deal that changed everything.

But this isn’t just John’s story. It’s a mirror. A challenge. A reminder that the difference between those who make it and those who don’t often comes down to one thing: the willingness to keep going when no one else believes it’s worth it.

So if you’ve ever felt like you’re building something no one else understands…

If you’ve ever wondered whether the sacrifice is worth it…

If you’re looking for a reason to keep going, or a blueprint to do it smarter…

Download it. Listen to it. Let it remind you why you started—and what’s still possible.

In this vivid conversation on The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams reconnects with long‑time friend Rodolfo Salazar from San Salvador, El Salvador, and together they chart a journey that begins with surf breaks near Surf City, detours through global boardrooms, and lands on a playbook any growth‑minded leader can use today. You’ll step into Rodolfo’s world as he moves from early entrepreneurship to executive roles at Sprint, Telefónica, Microsoft, and Dell, then into the contact‑center universe with a major BPO that ultimately ties to Convergys—an experience that reveals how large‑scale service operations can transform a country’s economy. When a values test at the top levels forces a hard choice, Rodolfo chooses character over comfort, exits the corporate ladder, and returns to building. That decision sets the stage for IdeaWorks, then a post‑pandemic rebirth as Q‑DOX (spelled Q‑U‑D‑O‑X)—a growth company designed for a world where change arrives faster than most leaders’ planning cycles.

Across the episode, Don and Rodolfo unwind a deeply practical theme: identity‑first AI. AI, Rodolfo insists, is not your identity; it’s your instrument. He illustrates this with a memorable story: if you ask “Einstein” to bring you pupusas from Galerías del Escalón and give him no context (what a pupusa is, where the mall is, which route to take on Waze), you’ll get clever nonsense instead of useful action. Leaders, he argues, must supply context, constraints, and clarity—precisely the same foundations they owe their teams. That mindset folds into a broader operating model: stop buying isolated tactics and start assembling a growth ecosystem that compounds—website and messaging, content engine, analytics, automation, and AI co‑pilots working in one feedback loop. Rodolfo is candid about the scars too: the time he tried to scale offices across multiple Central American countries at once. The “cookie‑cutter” expansion failed because every market carried different partners, people, and variables. The fix was counterintuitive but powerful—centralize what must be controlled, open commercial presence thoughtfully, and scale only what the system can sustain.

If you lead a company—owner, founder, or top‑management—this episode will feel like a field guide. You’ll hear how to bake a DNA of change into your culture so the brand evolves deliberately, not reactively. You’ll come away with a leadership stance that AI can’t replace: clarity in communication, empathy for customers and teams, and creativity born from trial and error. You’ll also hear how E‑E‑A‑T‑style credibility—first‑hand experience, proof, and transparency—earns trust with customers and, increasingly, with the systems that surface your content. Along the way, Don and Rodolfo name‑check the places and forces that shaped the journey—El Salvador, Latin America, cross‑border work from the U.S. to Singapore, and the contact‑center industry’s outsized role in lifting entire job markets—while weaving in cultural details that make the story human.

Come for the origin story, stay for the operating system. If you’ve wondered how to harness AI without losing who you are—or how to build a growth marketing engine that keeps learning—this conversation delivers a rare blend of philosophy, playbook, and humility. Press play, and let two seasoned operators show you how identity guides strategy, strategy guides prompts, and prompts guide results.

Entities & Mentions:

• Host: Don Williams
• Guest: Rodolfo Salazar
• Companies: iDigital Studios, QDOX, Microsoft, Dell, Telefonica, Sprint

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, Joe Apfelbaum, founder of evyAI, opens up about a challenge every entrepreneur knows too well: do you keep grinding endlessly, or is there a smarter way to build your pipeline?

You’ll hear how one simple mindset shift—seeing AI as a true business partner—can flip scattered hustle into real momentum that actually shows up on your calendar. This conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Key highlights:

• A smarter approach to LinkedIn AI lead generation that prioritizes relationships over random reach.
• How an AI sales assistant for LinkedIn can handle the heavy lifting while keeping your voice authentic.
• Why social selling LinkedIn AI is the missing link between posting and profit.
• A peek into LinkedIn hacks for B2B that even LinkedIn insiders respect.
• And the game-changing role of AI agents for B2B prospecting in surfacing insights you didn’t know you needed.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m posting, but where are the calls?”—this story nudges you toward the answer, then lets the full playbook unfold in your ears. Hit play and follow the breadcrumbs.

If you’ve ever felt LinkedIn was “just another social media site,” prepare to have that myth shattered. Al Kushner shares how LinkedIn has become a cornerstone for B2B growth, personal branding, and thought leadership. From optimizing your profile to building meaningful connections, this episode offers a roadmap for professionals who want to stand out—not just show up. You’ll hear how Al helps clients transform their LinkedIn presence into a magnet for opportunity, and why skipping profile optimization is like showing up to a networking event in pajamas.

But this isn’t just about tactics—it’s about the mindset behind success. Al opens up about his entrepreneurial beginnings in the insurance industry, the grind of cold-calling, and the unexpected challenges of publishing his first book. His story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of positioning yourself as a thought leader. Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a team, his insights on delegation, focus, and operating in your “zone of magnificence” will resonate deeply.

You’ll also get a glimpse into the future of LinkedIn—where it’s headed, why it’s still growing, and how Microsoft’s backing is shaping its evolution. Al doesn’t just talk trends; he lives them. And with over 10 books under his belt, including The AI LinkedIn Advantage, he’s proof that content creation and credibility go hand in hand.

So if you're ready to rethink your digital presence, elevate your entrepreneurial game, and learn from someone who’s been there, done that, and written the book on it—this episode is your next listen. Tune in and discover how to turn your LinkedIn profile into a legacy-building asset.

Listen now to discover how to turn your LinkedIn presence into a powerful business asset—and why your legacy might just begin with a book.

Entities Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: As a platform for professional growth and outreach
• Microsoft: As the parent company driving LinkedIn’s innovation
• Mark Cuban: Referenced for his LinkedIn following strategy
• The AI LinkedIn Advantage: Al Kushner’s latest book
• LinkVantage.com: Al’s website offering a free LinkedIn audit checklist
• Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Spotify, Audible: Platforms where Al’s books are available

As Vladimir recounts his early days in Ukraine, listeners are transported to a time when choices were few and individuality was suppressed. His move to the U.S. as a teenager brought culture shock wrapped in abundance—aisles of cheese, colorful clothing, and the freedom to express. But it wasn’t just the variety that changed him—it was the realization that in America, you could build something entirely your own. That realization sparked the birth of CompanyFolders.com, a business born from a single customer request and a gap in the market no one else saw.

The conversation takes a dramatic turn as Vladimir opens up about a near-fatal mistake—an SEO strategy that once catapulted his site to the top of Google, only to be penalized and buried when algorithms evolved. The fallout was brutal: traffic plummeted, bankruptcy loomed, and even weekend sushi outings with his daughter became luxuries. But what followed was a masterclass in resilience. With grit, humility, and a loyal team, Vladimir rebuilt his company from the ground up—this time, with integrity and a foundation that could weather any storm.

Beyond business, this episode explores the human side of entrepreneurship. Vladimir shares his philosophy on authenticity, the power of making others feel seen, and the importance of listening with intent. His advice isn’t just for entrepreneurs—it’s for anyone who wants to lead with heart and leave a legacy that lasts. From co-authoring a book on gratitude with his wife Janet to mentoring future generations, Vladimir’s story is a testament to the impact of kindness, courage, and connection.

If you’re looking for more than just business tips—if you crave a story that stirs your soul and sharpens your mind—this episode is for you. Tune in to discover how one man’s journey from Soviet silence to entrepreneurial voice can inspire your own path to purpose. But be warned: once you start listening, you won’t want to stop.

Topics Discussed:

• Life in the Soviet Union vs. the U.S.
• The birth of CompanyFolders.com
• SEO mistakes and recovery strategies
• Entrepreneurial resilience and authenticity
• The power of gratitude and human connection
• Advice for future generations of entrepreneurs

Entities Mentioned:

• Vladimir Gendelman (Guest)
• Don Williams (Host)
• CompanyFolders.com
• Google (SEO algorithm updates)
• Janet Gendelman (Co-author in Gratitude Stories)
• Jeri Walla (Mutual friend from the UK)
• Book: Gratitude Stories from Our Hearts

Whether you're a startup founder, digital marketer, or someone seeking inspiration from real-world entrepreneurial grit, this episode delivers valuable lessons wrapped in a heartfelt narrative.

🎧 Tune in now to discover how one man’s journey from gray Soviet streets to vibrant American business success can inspire your own path forward.

Jerry’s journey is anything but ordinary. From building one of the UK’s largest locksmith companies to launching AI Builders, he’s mastered the art of solving real-world problems with smart, scalable AI solutions. This episode explores the powerful concept of Speed to Lead—an AI-driven system that ensures businesses never miss a sales opportunity by responding to inquiries instantly. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, law, or accounting, Jerry explains why fast lead response is no longer optional—it's essential.

Listeners will also uncover the truth behind common online marketing myths, learn how to use AI to create 120+ pieces of content per month, and discover how to rebuild a seven-figure business with just a $20/month AI subscription. Jerry shares practical strategies for prompt engineering, content repurposing, and AI-powered customer engagement, making this episode a goldmine for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners.

Entities mentioned include AI Builders, OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude, DeepSeek, and platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. The conversation also touches on ethical concerns and real-world failures in AI marketing, offering a balanced perspective on the risks and rewards of this fast-evolving technology.

If you're looking to future-proof your business, boost your digital presence, and learn how to turn AI into your competitive advantage, this episode is your blueprint. Tune in and discover how to transform attention into action—and leads into loyal customers.

In this powerful episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Jason Bryll, founder and CEO of Parable Associates, to unpack the real story behind scaling a healthcare startup that’s now helping hundreds of providers streamline operations, improve cash flow, and expand access to care.

Jason’s journey didn’t begin with a business plan or a boardroom. It started in a closet-sized home office, armed with nothing but a laptop, a vision, and a deep empathy for the healthcare industry—an empathy rooted in his own experiences as a patient. From battling severe acne in childhood to undergoing LASIK surgery, Jason’s personal health challenges shaped his mission: to empower providers with better data so they can deliver better care.

But this episode isn’t just about data. It’s about resilience, relationships, and the real cost of growth.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• How Parable Associates helps MSOs (Managed Service Organizations) and DSOs (Dental Service Organizations) navigate the chaos of scaling with smart systems and healthcare-specific analytics
• Why Jason believes entrepreneurship is not for everyone—and the brutal truths he’d tell his 21-year-old self
• The moment he realized his company was selling services at a loss—and how that painful lesson transformed his leadership
• How building systems like Asana-based project management saved his business from collapsing during rapid growth
• Why relationships matter more than cold outreach—and how face-to-face networking beats 3,000 automated emails every time
• Insights from legendary leaders like Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, and how Jason applies those lessons to his own team culture
• The importance of seeing employees not just as workers, but as families you’re responsible for

This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial strategy, healthcare innovation, and human-centered leadership. It’s packed with real-world insights for founders, executives, and anyone navigating the complex world of healthcare business.

Whether you're building a startup, scaling a service-based business, or just curious about how data can drive meaningful change in healthcare, this conversation will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take action.

This podcast is perfect for Entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, startup founders, business strategists, and anyone who believes in building with purpose.

Listen now and discover how one entrepreneur turned a closet office into a company that’s changing lives—one data point at a time.

Meet Jeff Seder, a Harvard-educated misfit who walked away from Wall Street and into the stables—armed not with a saddle, but with science. In this unforgettable episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams uncovers the wild, brilliant, and often hilarious journey of the man who turned the horse racing world upside down.

Jeff didn’t just challenge the status quo—he obliterated it. While the industry obsessed over bloodlines and million-dollar studs, Jeff was measuring heart size, stride efficiency, and yes, even the weight of horse poop. Laughed out of rooms and dismissed as a madman, he spent 30 years building a data empire in secret—until one day, he predicted a Triple Crown winner and proved them all wrong.

This episode is more than a story about horses. It’s about grit, innovation, and the kind of entrepreneurial madness that changes industries. You’ll hear how Jeff:

Built a 48-dimensional AI model before “AI” was cool

Invented medical devices in a cornfield with MIT dropouts

Turned a $155K horse into a $50 million legend

Learned the hard way that success takes decades—and a little chaos

Whether you're a founder, a dreamer, or just someone who loves a good underdog story, this episode will leave you inspired, entertained, and maybe even a little obsessed with horse racing.

Featuring:

• Jeff Seder (Founder, EQB.fyi)
• Hosted by Don Williams
• Mentions: Ken Ramsey, U.S. Olympic Sports Medicine Committee, The New York Times, Belmont Stakes, Harvard, MIT

Listen now and discover how data, doubt, and dogged determination can change everything.

In this episode, Don sits down with a guest whose resume reads like a startup fairy tale — but with all the grit, grind, and gut-wrenching moments that make it real. Meet Gregory Shepard: Fulbright Scholar, TEDx speaker, author of The Startup Lifecycle, and the rare entrepreneur who’s built and sold 12 companies — each one a success story in its own right.

But this isn’t just a highlight reel. Gregory opens up about the soul-crushing detour into politics, the sleepless nights wondering how to make payroll, and the raw truth behind why most startups fail — even when they have a great product. He shares how a five-year, $500,000 research project led to the creation of Startup Science, a platform designed to fix the fragmented startup ecosystem and help founders avoid the very pitfalls he once faced.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey through the startup lifecycle — not the one you read in textbooks, but the one forged in the trenches. Gregory challenges conventional wisdom, especially the advice founders often receive from investors. He introduces the concept of the Ideal Acquirer Profile (IAP), a game-changing strategy that flips the traditional startup model on its head: build your company with the buyer in mind from day one.

From the dangers of overvaluation to the hidden costs of premature scaling, Gregory breaks down the anatomy of failure — and more importantly, how to avoid it. He speaks candidly about being neurodivergent, growing up in poverty, and how those experiences shaped his resilience and perspective as a founder.

This episode isn’t just for entrepreneurs — it’s for anyone who’s ever faced a mountain and wondered if they had what it takes to climb it. Gregory Shepard doesn’t just offer advice; he offers a roadmap, forged in fire, for how to build something that lasts — and how to walk away from it with your head held high.

So grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about startups. Because this isn’t just another business podcast — it’s a masterclass in entrepreneurial survival.

Joining us from Vancouver, Canada, is Nicole Donnelly—founder of AI Smart Ventures, a serial entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for using artificial intelligence to improve lives. But Nicole’s story doesn’t begin in a boardroom or a tech lab. It begins in a mobile home on a dusty desert road, where a young girl with a wild imagination crafted licorice dispensers and left them in neighbors’ mailboxes, believing—wholeheartedly—that she could make their lives better.

That same spirit of service and creativity has carried Nicole through decades of entrepreneurship, from selling her first company during the 2008 financial crisis to building AI-powered wellness tools that help women manage perimenopause and hormonal health. In this episode, Nicole opens up about the emotional toll of being sued by her own family, the lessons she learned about hiring and trusting the wrong people, and how she rebuilt her business—and her relationships—one step at a time.

We explore the power of automation not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a system of care. Nicole shares how she created “Charlie,” an AI agent trained on women’s health data that offers personalized supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations based on the user’s cycle. She explains how AI can be used to automate empathy, scale support, and even remind you when it’s time to eat black beans to reduce PMS symptoms.

But this episode isn’t just about tech—it’s about trust, trauma, and transformation. Nicole and I discuss the psychological weight of entrepreneurship, the importance of starting before you’re ready, and why testing your idea with real paying customers is more valuable than any business plan. We also talk about the darker side of AI—how it can be misused—and why Nicole would ban its use in human trafficking and exploitation if she could.

You’ll also hear about tools like StrengthsFinder, Kolbe, and Culture Index, and how Nicole uses them to build stronger, more aligned teams. We touch on the power of mindset, the importance of asking AI first, and how even something as simple as automating your inbox can save you hours each week.

Whether you’re a founder, a dreamer, or someone navigating the messy middle of building something meaningful, this episode will speak to your heart and your hustle. Nicole’s story is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about healing, growing, and daring to believe that your ideas can change lives.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• Nicole Donnelly: Founder, AI Smart Ventures
• Don Williams: Host
• ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Gamma: AI Platforms

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a thriving business on your own terms—without investors, employees, or even a traditional office—this episode is your front-row seat to the truth behind the solopreneur journey.

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with the one and only Moe Choice, a fiercely independent solopreneur who walked away from a successful business empire in Dubai to rebuild from scratch—on his own terms. What drives someone to leave behind wealth, reputation, and comfort? What does freedom really mean when you're building a business solo?

Topics Discussed:

• The difference between a solopreneur, entrepreneur, and business owner
• How Moe made $15K/month using just his LinkedIn profile
• Why “build it and they will come” is the biggest lie in business
• The role of personal philosophy in long-term success
• How to build a personal brand that actually converts
• The mindset shift from approval-seeking to market-driven action
• What Moe would do in the first 48 hours if he had to start over today

This isn’t just another entrepreneur mindset podcast—it’s a raw, real, and refreshingly honest look at what it takes to succeed as a solopreneur in 2025. Whether you're figuring out how to start as a solopreneur, looking to master LinkedIn for solopreneurs, or searching for the best solopreneur podcasts to fuel your journey, this episode delivers.

Ask yourself:

• Are you building a business—or just building a trap?
• Is your brand aligned with your values—or just your vanity?
• Are you waiting for the market to notice you—or are you showing up with value?

If these questions hit home, hit play. This is the personal branding podcast episode you didn’t know you needed.

Tune in now and discover how to build a business that’s profitable, purposeful, and 100% yours.

Visit our websites to learn more: https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

In this high-energy and insight-packed episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams welcomes back visionary entrepreneur Ethan King for a conversation that bridges creativity, technology, and the future of work. Ethan, known for building successful ventures like Zeus’s Closet and Stuff for Greeks, shares how a business crisis forced him to embrace automation—and how that pivot not only saved his company but doubled its revenue with half the staff.

But this episode goes far beyond business survival. Ethan dives deep into how AI and automation are transforming everything—from marketing and operations to personal productivity and even romance. Yes, you read that right. Ethan shares how he automated monthly flower deliveries to his wife, blending tech with authenticity in a way that’s both hilarious and heartwarming.

Topics Discussed:

• The E.A.T. Framework: Eliminate, Automate, Train
• How AI is reshaping creativity, marketing, and business operations
• The future of AI-powered wearables and digital avatars
• Why most business owners misuse AI—and how to fix it
• Personal stories of automation in marriage, fitness, and daily life
• The importance of customizing AI to reflect your brand voice

Ethan also shares golden nuggets on how to simplify your life, automate your health habits, and think differently about what’s possible in the age of AI. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned CEO, or just AI-curious, this episode is your roadmap to working less, scaling faster, and living smarter.

Tune in now to learn how to future-proof your business and unlock exponential growth with the power of AI.

John’s journey is anything but ordinary. From working in a warehouse at age 10 to becoming the first employee at his brother’s startup, John has played a pivotal role in scaling Stub Group into a powerhouse agency managing hundreds of millions in ad spend. His story is one of grit, strategy, and relentless focus on results.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Stub Group grew from a bootstrapped startup to a 30-person team
• The biggest mistake brands make with paid ads — and how to avoid it
• What it means to land in “Google Ad Jail” and how John’s team helps clients get out
• Why hiring the right people early is critical to long-term success
• How diversification helped Stub Group survive the COVID-19 crash
• A behind-the-scenes look at ad campaigns so effective, they were shut down by platforms

John also shares his thoughts on the future of digital marketing, the importance of tracking ROI, and why best practices from platforms like Google and Meta aren’t always in your best interest.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hard-earned wisdom.

Key Entities Mentioned in this episode:

• John Horn (Guest):  CEO of Stub Group
• Don Williams: Host
• Stub Group: Advertising Agency
• The Proven Entrepreneur Show: Podcast Channel

Raised in South Central Los Angeles and thrust into the spotlight at the University of Oklahoma, Jamelle shares the moment he was unexpectedly called to replace Troy Aikman, how he handled the pressure of 80,000 roaring fans at Owen Field, and what it was like to practice against a defense stacked with legends like Tony Casillas, Brian Bosworth, and Ricky Dixon.

But this episode goes far beyond football.

Jamelle opens up about:

• His deep respect for legendary coach Barry Switzer and a handshake that changed his life
• The lessons he learned about humility, identity, and responsibility after the game
• His spiritual journey and the wisdom he wishes he could share with his 18-year-old self
• His upcoming book From South Central to the 1985 National Championship, co-created with Jeff Evans

Whether you're a sports fan, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating your own path to purpose, this episode is packed with inspiration, authenticity, and life-changing insight.

Tune in now to hear how Jamelle Holieway turned pressure into purpose—and why his story still echoes through the halls of Oklahoma football and beyond.

Skye shares her powerful journey from academia to entrepreneurship, revealing how a late ADHD diagnosis during her PhD became the catalyst for a complete life and career transformation. She opens up about the emotional and financial toll of shutting down her first business—a healthy frozen food startup—during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that painful pivot led to the creation of a more agile, purpose-driven venture.

Key Insights:

• How ADHD shows up in entrepreneurs—and why it’s more common than you think
• The dangers of “shiny object syndrome” and how to overcome it
• Skye’s neuroscience-based “2-Minute Focus Formula” for regaining control of your day
• The importance of identifying what’s already working in your business
• Why failure isn’t the end—it’s often the beginning of something better

Key Entities Mentioned:

• Skye Waterson – ADHD coach and founder of Unconventional Organization
• Don Williams – Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show
• Unconventional Organization – Coaching and community for ADHD entrepreneurs
• The ADHD Skills Lab – Skye’s podcast
• Shark Tank – Referenced in discussion on frozen food businesses
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Catalyst for Skye’s business pivot

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list, distracted by new ideas, or unsure how to turn your passion into profit—this episode is for you. Skye’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-awareness, and the power of building a business that works with your brain, not against it.

Visit our websites to learn more: https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

In this episode, Don and Colton dive deep into the world of property tax representation, exploring how OwnWell has revolutionized the way homeowners can dispute their property tax assessments and save money. Colton shares insights into the company's marquee product, which has gained widespread adoption across the country, and explains the contingency fee model that makes it a no-brainer for customers to sign up.

Listeners will also get a glimpse into Colton's entrepreneurial journey, from his early days of ranch work and mowing lawns in Texas to his college years at the University of Washington, where he studied information systems and operations. Colton recounts his first business venture, MobileFix, and how his passion for finance led him to work for a family office managing assets for one of the wealthiest individuals in the country. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of scaling OwnWell from 700 to 60,000 customers in just one year, and the importance of hiring the right people and maintaining a strong company culture.

Tune in to hear Colton's valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of taking risks and betting on yourself. Whether you're a homeowner looking to save on property taxes or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with insights and stories that you won't want to miss.

Visit our websites to learn more: https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

In this episode, Ami Kassar shares his incredible journey from starting MultiFunding 15 years ago to achieving the milestone of $1 billion in business funding. You'll hear about the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the strategies he used to help entrepreneurs secure loans transparently and effectively. Ami's story is not just about numbers; it's about the impact his company has had on job creation and business growth, making it a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts.

Don and Ami also delve into the myths surrounding business lending and the importance of finding the right lender. Ami discusses how MultiFunding has debunked common misconceptions and provided responsible lending solutions to thousands of businesses. With a default rate of just 1.1%, MultiFunding's success is a testament to their commitment to ethical and effective lending practices. This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to navigate the world of business funding.

Finally, Ami reflects on his personal experiences and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. From his early days in South Africa to moving to the United States and starting his own business, Ami's journey is a powerful reminder that success often comes from perseverance and adaptability.

Tune in to hear Ami Kassar's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and business funding. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips to help you succeed. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation with one of the most influential figures in the world of business funding.

In this episode, Don Williams sits down with Zulfiya Forsythe, a trailblazing entrepreneur from Boston, Massachusetts. Zulfiya shares her remarkable journey from corporate life to founding the Omadli Group, a company dedicated to helping businesses optimize their operations using cutting-edge AI and data analytics solutions.

Zulfiya Forsythe opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, starting from her days in corporate America to the bold decision to launch her own company amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recounts the initial hurdles she faced, including the transition from a secure corporate job to the uncertain world of freelancing. Zulfiya's story is a testament to resilience and determination, as she navigated the complexities of starting a business and eventually found success with the Omadli Group.

The conversation delves into the core mission of the Omadli Group, which is to help businesses buy back their time through innovative technology solutions. Zulfiya explains how her company leverages AI and data analytics to streamline business operations, reduce manual tasks, and provide real-time insights that are crucial for growth. She emphasizes the value of clean and unbiased data, likening it to the "new raw oil" in the age of AI. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how data can be harnessed to drive efficiency and make informed decisions.

Don and Zulfiya discuss the broader implications of AI in business, touching on the importance of building a solid data foundation before implementing AI solutions. Zulfiya shares her experiences and the lessons she learned along the way, including the significance of understanding customer needs and the power of perseverance. The episode concludes with Zulfiya offering practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to believe in their ideas, embrace failure as part of the success journey, and continuously strive for improvement.

Tune in to this enlightening episode and discover how AI and data analytics can revolutionize your business operations. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from The Proven Entrepreneur Show!

Entities Mentioned:

Don Williams - Host

Zulfiya Forsythe - Founder & CEO of Omadli Group

Omadli Group - Business management consultant Firm

Upwork - Freelancing platform

In this episode, Gina takes us on a journey through her fascinating life, starting with her family's immigrant roots. She shares the courageous story of her grandparents, who left everything behind in Europe to start anew in Canada. Their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Gina's own path. From her early days studying chemical engineering to working as a welder at Chrysler, Gina's diverse experiences have shaped her unique perspective on business and life.

Gina's corporate journey at Procter & Gamble provided her with invaluable lessons, but it was her transition to entrepreneurship that truly defined her career. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including navigating the impact of 9/11 on her business and the unprecedented hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, Gina's unwavering belief in perseverance and self-belief shines through, offering listeners a powerful reminder that success often comes from embracing adversity.

As Gina prepares to embark on a new adventure, pursuing a PhD in neurotheology at Oxford University, she reflects on the importance of following your bliss and never giving up. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of one's passions. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, Gina's insights will inspire and motivate you to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.

Key Entities Mentioned:

Gina Mollicone-Long: Entrepreneur, author, and speaker.

Don Williams: Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show.

Procter & Gamble: Gina's former employer.

Chrysler Corporation: Where Gina worked as a welder during her university years.

Morgan Stanley: Gina's brief encounter with the financial world.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming): A significant part of Gina's coaching and training methodology.

Oxford University: Gina's upcoming PhD journey in neurotheology.

Join us as Austin discusses the mission of Clearfork Academy, which provides comprehensive care for adolescents through detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs. He opens up about his entrepreneurial spirit, influenced by his father's business endeavors, and how his faith and passion for helping others led him to pivot from pastoral ministry to mental health counseling.

Austin also shares valuable lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges of scaling his business, the importance of finding the right team, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a mental health advocate, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights and heartfelt stories.

Tune in to hear about:

• The mission and services of Clearfork Academy
• Austin's personal and professional journey
• The impact of mentorship and faith on his career
• Key lessons learned from scaling a business
• The importance of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship

Tune in The Proven Entrepreneur Show and don't miss this episode filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference in their community.

Listen now and be inspired to create your own legacy!

Key Entities:

Austin Davis: Founder of Clearfork Academy

Don Williams: Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show

Clearfork Academy: Clearfork Academy is a teen rehab in Texas

Alex Levin shares his compelling journey from a traditional business background to leading Regal.ai, a tech company revolutionizing customer interactions with advanced AI agents. Discover how Regal.ai's AI agents handle 20-40% of customer interactions for large enterprises, making voice communication not only efficient but also cost-effective. Alex delves into the evolution of AI technology, the economic benefits of voice AI, and the strategic decisions that have propelled Regal.ai's growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The role of AI agents in customer interactions
• Economic advantages of voice AI over traditional methods
• Alex Levin's entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned
• The future of AI in customer engagement
• Strategic decisions that led to Regal.ai's growth

This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for top executives, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals. Learn about the economic advantages of AI in customer service, the importance of maintaining high hiring standards, and the benefits of a usage-based pricing model. Alex Levin's insights offer actionable advice on leveraging AI to enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.

In this episode provides sophisticated yet accessible insights into the world of AI and entrepreneurship. Alex Levin's story is not just about facts; it's about the transformation and discovery that unfolds as he navigates the challenges and breakthroughs in the tech industry.

Tune in The Proven Entrepreneur Show to gain valuable insights into the world of AI and entrepreneurship, and discover how Regal.ai is revolutionizing customer service. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories!

Key Entities:

Alex Levin: Co-founder of Regal.ai, a company specializing in AI agents for customer interactions.

Don Williams: Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, with 35 years of experience in the contact center industry.

Regal.ai: Innovator in AI technology, providing AI agents that enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google: Leading companies in AI technology, contributing to the advancements that make Regal.ai's solutions possible.

Discover the powerful story behind the mission statement "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town," and learn how a simple act of kindness transformed Luke's life and the lives of countless children. Luke discusses the challenges and triumphs of running a nonprofit, the importance of community involvement, and the impact of being named one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes in 2018.

Don and Luke delve into the significance of passion and purpose in entrepreneurship, the value of humility and leadership, and the future goals for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, including ambitious plans to expand globally and reach more children in need. This episode is filled with motivational insights, touching anecdotes, and practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference in their community.

Tune in to hear about:

• The origins and mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• Luke's personal experiences and the emotional impact of delivering beds to children
• The growth and expansion of the nonprofit organization
• The role of community and volunteerism in solving child bedlessness
• Strategic goals and future plans for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• The importance of following your passion and making a meaningful impact

Featured:

Guest: Luke Mickelson, Founder, Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Host: Don Williams, The Proven Entrepreneur Show

Entity: Sleep in Heavenly Peace: A Non-profit Organization

Don't miss this inspiring conversation that highlights the power of compassion, community, and entrepreneurial spirit. Listen now and be motivated to take action in your own community!

This episode is a masterclass in overcoming entrepreneurial burnout and achieving sustainable success. Parveen shares his experiences with Risk-Taking in Business, navigating the challenges of Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs, and the power of Goal-Setting for Success. Discover how he transformed BTI Brand Innovations from a $3 million to a $10 million agency, showcasing effective Business Growth Strategies.

Gain unique perspectives on Branding and Marketing, Creative Agency Success, and Insights on Branding and Marketing Strategies. Parveen emphasizes the importance of Leadership and Storytelling in Business, demonstrating how Storytelling in Business and Experiential Marketing can drive growth.

This isn't just a business story; it's a deeply personal narrative. Parveen opens up about Family-Driven Entrepreneurship, balancing personal and professional life, and the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Learn about Overcoming Burnout in Business, Lessons from Failure, and the significance of Purpose-Driven Leadership.

For aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike, this episode offers a treasure trove of knowledge, including:

• Entrepreneurship Mindset: Cultivating the right approach to business challenges
• Canadian Entrepreneurs: Success stories from the Canadian business landscape.
• Immigrant Success Stories: The drive and determination behind immigrant entrepreneurship.
• Mentorship and Goal-Setting: Practical tips for achieving your ambitions.

Featured:

Guest: Parveen Dhupar, Founder/CEO, BTI Brand Innovations

Host: Don Williams, The Proven Entrepreneur Show

Entity: BTI Brand Innovations: A fully integrated creative agency.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned entrepreneur who has truly seen it all. Tune in for actionable strategies and heartfelt wisdom.

But success isn’t just about Conversion Rate Optimization—it’s also about navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Sahil shares his personal journey, from working in Healthcare Software Success to founding, scaling, and exiting his own startup. He discusses leadership, risk-taking, and how making data-driven decisions can turn setbacks into growth opportunities.

Topics Covered:

1) Optimizing A/B Testing Strategies for Business Growth

2) How A/B Testing Drives Conversions on Landing Pages

3) Real-Life Entrepreneurial Lessons from Sahil Patel

4) Building a Successful Business Through Data-Driven Decisions

5) Navigating the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship with A/B Testing

6) The role of resilience and adaptability in SaaS Business Growth

7) How to scale a startup from concept to acquisition

Whether you're a startup founder, marketer, or business leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leveraging data, refining strategies, and scaling your business with confidence!

Listen now and gain insights from a proven entrepreneur who turned passion into success!

Julie’s story is nothing short of inspiring. She started her journey as a music teacher, but her entrepreneurial spirit led her to take a leap of faith. With an eight-week-old baby and nothing but determination, she founded JH Interior Design from her basement. Fast forward to today, she has scaled her business to 23 employees, expanded into Steamboat, Colorado, and established a reputation as a leading expert in the design industry. Not stopping there, she also founded Bouquet Floral Studio, an extension of her passion that has grown into Omaha’s top floral studio, handling an astounding 97 weddings in a single year.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1) How JH Interior Studio was founded: The grassroots journey of turning a home-based passion into a full-scale design firm.

2) Lessons from women entrepreneurs: The mindset shifts and challenges that come with being a female leader in business.

3) Balancing creativity and business: How to manage the art of design while building a profitable company.

4) Scaling a small business successfully: Overcoming roadblocks, hiring the right team, and creating a sustainable company culture.

5) Tips to run an interior studio business: Strategies for managing operations, clients, and branding in a competitive market.

6) How to grow an interior design business: The key decisions that helped Julie expand her company beyond Omaha.

7) Challenges of running a floral studio: Handling high-pressure events, managing perishable products, and working with demanding clients.

8) Leadership tips for entrepreneurs: How to trust your instincts, embrace risk, and make confident business decisions.

9) The power of saying ‘YES’: How Julie’s willingness to take risks opened doors to incredible opportunities.

Through personal stories, real-world business insights, and honest reflections, Julie shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey from teacher to business owner. She talks about the importance of resilience, adaptability, and trusting the process—even when faced with uncertainty. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply someone who loves an inspiring startup success stories, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Listen now and gain insights from a proven entrepreneur who turned passion into success!

The conversation delves into Paul's fascinating background, including his time working on a pineapple plantation in Hawaii as a teenager, his mission trip to Italy during a tumultuous period, and his international business experience across Europe. Paul shares the pivotal moment of his "rage quit" from a high-level corporate position that unexpectedly launched his entrepreneurial journey, leading to the founding of Razoyo, an e-commerce development company.

Key topics discussed include the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities even before knowing how to deliver, the delicate balance between family and business priorities, and the transformation from being industry imitators to innovators. Paul offers candid insights about navigating business challenges, including a particularly difficult period when his company had to pivot from being Magento-focused developers to becoming full-stack innovators.

The episode features memorable mentions of various entities including:

• Pizza Hut and its founding story in Wichita
• eBay and its ProStores platform
• Magento's evolution and acquisition by Adobe
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Universita Bocconi in Milan

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply interested in authentic business stories, this episode offers valuable insights about resilience, family priorities, and the importance of continuous adaptation in the entrepreneurial journey. Paul's parting wisdom about not taking anyone's advice – including his own – adds a thought-provoking twist to this engaging conversation.

You can reach Paul Byrne through LinkedIn or at razoyo.com to learn more about his work in e-commerce solutions and development.

Don and Justin dive deep into how a professional fighter became passionate about fighting poverty instead of opponents. You'll hear the touching story behind the organization's name, directly inspired by the Pygmy tribes who call themselves "the Forgotten," and learn about Justin's unique approach to sustainable community development that starts with securing land rights before drilling wells.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Justin's transition from MMA fighting to humanitarian work
• The impact of addiction recovery and finding purpose through service
• Innovative approaches to nonprofit management and fundraising
• Cultural integration with the Pygmy tribes of Africa
• Sustainable community development strategies
• The power of gratitude in personal transformation

Notable Mentions:

• Don Williams (Host)
• Justin Wren (Guest)
• Fight for the Forgotten (FFTF.org)
• The Pygmy tribes of Africa
• Ben Hansen (business coach)
• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization)

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking purpose beyond profit or simply someone interested in remarkable stories of human transformation, this episode offers valuable insights into how one person's journey from rock bottom to redemption is changing lives across continents.

Follow Justin Wren on Instagram @TheBigPygmy or visit fightfortheforgotten.org to learn more about his mission to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.

Discover how a chance encounter with "The One Thing" authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan changed the trajectory of his career, and learn about his groundbreaking work at Jindal Steel, where he helped drive the company's market cap from $750 million to $12 billion. Geoff reveals his innovative approach to AI adoption, introducing the concept of AI as a "thought partner" rather than just a tool, and shares a powerful real-world example of how this approach saved a manufacturing company from bankruptcy.

The conversation takes an intimate turn as Geoff opens up about personal challenges, identity, and the valuable lessons learned along his entrepreneurial journey. He also introduces The Collective, his vision to unite 10,000 executives in leveraging AI for positive business transformation. Whether you're an executive looking to harness AI's potential or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode offers invaluable insights into the future of leadership and technology.

For information on how to work with Don visit us at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more success stories, actionable strategies, and the best of entrepreneurial wisdom!

Discover how Matt turned a simple request from a German client into a game-changing business opportunity, pioneering organic juice in the United States before the USDA organic seal even existed. Learn about the challenges he faced, including the devastating citrus greening disease that threatened to destroy his entire business, and how resilience, prayer, and strategic pivoting became his ultimate survival tools.

Key Highlights:

• The journey from a three-acre family grove to a nationwide organic juice brand
• Scaling strategies that took Uncle Matt's from local markets to major retailers like Publix, Kroger, and Whole Foods
• Overcoming the citrus greening crisis by developing global supply relationships
• A remarkable business comeback story, including buying back the company during the pandemic and more than doubling its size

Matt shares candid insights about entrepreneurship, including the importance of persistent yet respectful relationship-building, the value of family support, and staying true to your passion. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a food industry enthusiast, or simply love an inspiring business story, this episode offers valuable lessons in innovation, adaptability, and perseverance.

Don't miss this extraordinary tale of turning agricultural roots into a thriving organic juice empire!

For information on how to work with Don visit us at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more success stories, actionable strategies, and the best of entrepreneurial wisdom!

Discover how Stephen transformed family business challenges into a mission of making workplaces happier, using psychometric assessments to match people with their ideal career paths. From selling comic books in school to running international businesses, Stephen's story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, honest communication, and breaking traditional career boundaries.

Key highlights include:

• The rare experience of having two entrepreneurial parents
• Navigating family business succession with grace and strategy
• The importance of understanding yourself before charting your career path
• Overcoming conflict-avoidance to create more meaningful professional relationships

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone seeking greater career satisfaction, this episode offers invaluable insights into personal growth, business strategy, and the art of finding your true professional calling.

Tune in and get ready to be inspired by Stephen Shortt's remarkable entrepreneurial wisdom!

For information on how to work with Don visit us at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more success stories, actionable strategies, and the best of entrepreneurial wisdom!

At 41, Brian made the bold leap from corporate IT director to entrepreneur, transforming his passion for serving people through technology into a thriving managed IT services company. Listen as Brian shares his raw, unfiltered journey of: 

• Breaking free from soul-sucking corporate environments
• Turning a borrowed office space into a growing tech business
• Navigating the challenges of the 2020 pandemic
• Learning critical lessons about customer communication and team leadership
• Overcoming self-doubt and embracing personal strengths

Dive into a conversation that’s part business strategy, part personal development, and entirely inspiring. Brian’s story is a testament to the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the importance of believing in yourself – no matter your age or background. 

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of communication in business
• How personal passion drives professional success
• Entrepreneurship as a path of continuous learning
• Transforming challenges into opportunities

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone seeking motivation, this episode offers invaluable insights into building a successful business with heart and purpose. 

Don’t miss this powerful conversation that will challenge your assumptions and ignite your entrepreneurial spirit! 

Featuring:

• Host: Don Williams
• Guest: Brian Rogers
• Company: Aeko Technologies
• Industry: Managed IT Services

Listen, learn, and get inspired!

#ProvenEntrepreneur #BusinessSuccess #ITEntrepreneurship #LeadershipJourney

Ben, with over 13 years of experience working alongside business owners, specializes in helping entrepreneurs with robust top lines struggling to keep their bottom lines healthy. Tune in as he shares powerful insights on identifying and overcoming common cash flow issues, dissecting the myths surrounding business growth, and most importantly, teaching us how to fine-tune our focus on what truly matters.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

1) The importance of understanding that sometimes, growth can actually hinder profitability.

2) Real-life anecdotes of entrepreneurs who appear to thrive while battling internal challenges.

3) Strategies for simplifying complex financial reports to facilitate better decision-making.

4) Lessons learned from navigating economic downturns and the significance of fostering genuine relationships with clients.

5) Practical tips on how to leverage your unique skills to carve out a niche in your market, even in a crowded space.

With a blend of humor, wisdom, and relatable stories, Ben and Don offer actionable takeaways that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike. Whether you're looking to streamline your operations or simply seeking inspiration from a fellow entrepreneur's journey, this episode is packed with valuable nuggets of knowledge.

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice, touching anecdotes, and inspirational takeaways. You won't want to miss Todd’s unique perspective on the entrepreneurial journey where every failure is just a learning opportunity.

For information on how to work with Don visit us at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more success stories, actionable strategies, and the best of entrepreneurial wisdom!

In this episode, Todd shares his rich entrepreneurial narrative that spans from humble beginnings—growing up in a household without entrepreneurial role models—to launching and running successful businesses. Discover how a personal tragedy at a young age shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and led to a steadfast belief in self-reliance which initially became a double-edged sword.

As the founder of Extraordinary Advisors, Todd coaches CEOs on a journey of self-discovery and growth, revealing the unique coaching approach he's developed through his concept of “reflective inquiry.” Listen as Todd breaks down pivotal moments in his career—from his first enterprise in staffing that nearly brought him to bankruptcy, to key transformations that propelled him to become one of Detroit’s fastest-growing companies.

This episode isn’t just about Todd’s successes—get ready to dive into his challenges, particularly the hard lessons learned about trust, relationships, and the delicate balance of leadership. With insights on the importance of vulnerability in leadership, Todd emphasizes that true growth begins within.

Expect to gain invaluable insights about:

• The pivotal role of self-awareness in leadership.
• How vulnerability can foster deeper connections and stronger teams.
• The power of reframing failure as a stepping stone to success.

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice, touching anecdotes, and inspirational takeaways. You won't want to miss Todd’s unique perspective on the entrepreneurial journey where every failure is just a learning opportunity.

For information on how to work with Don visit us at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Proven Entrepreneur Show for more success stories, actionable strategies, and the best of entrepreneurial wisdom!

Discover how Kent's early experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and how he navigated the challenges and triumphs of his career. Learn about his unique approach to business, focusing on ethical practices, human-centered leadership, and the power of trust.

Kent also delves into the importance of aligning personal and business goals with a higher purpose, emphasizing the transformative impact it can have on both personal and professional success. Tune in to gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating a positive impact in the world.

Episode Highlights:

• Education Altitude: Discover how Paul juggled grueling Air Force shifts with full-time studies, graduating summa cum laude against all odds.
• Career Turbulence: Follow Paul's journey from aircraft electrician to stockbroker, and his ultimate ascent to the cockpit as a commercial pilot.
• Entrepreneurial Takeoff: Learn how the 2008 financial crisis became the catalyst for Paul's pivot into wealth management, founding Efficient Wealth Management.
• Course Corrections: Hear about the valuable lessons learned from targeting the wrong market and the successful rebranding to Avion Wealth.
• Wisdom for Young Professionals: Gain insights on persistence, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the joy of mentoring the next generation.

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a career switcher, or simply love stories of resilience and adaptability, this episode is your first-class ticket to inspiration. Paul's candid reflections on his successes and "greatest failures" offer a masterclass in navigating the complex world of business and life.

Tune in and let Paul Carroll's journey remind you that in the flight of life and business, it's not about avoiding turbulence—it's about learning to soar through it.

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff on The Proven Entrepreneur Show!

At just 20, Linh embraced the challenges of motherhood while simultaneously embarking on a career in international business. It was during her tenure at a defense company that she discovered her true passion: entrepreneurship. In 2015, she founded Outsourcing Angel, initially providing virtual assistants from the Philippines but evolving into a powerhouse for businesses aimed at scaling through automation and streamlined operations.

Throughout this episode, Linh opens up about her unconventional path—highlighting the crucial role of her self-employed parents in shaping her work ethic, despite the absence of traditional entrepreneurial role models. Her journey is not just about building a business; it’s about overcoming obstacles and paving the way for others to succeed.

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone who believes in the mantra that determination can lead to transformation, this conversation is for you! Tune in to discover how Linh continues to empower businesses with affordable and reliable solutions while inspiring others to chase their own dreams. Let Linh's journey motivate you to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and unlock your true potential!

Listen Now for Insights, Inspiration, and a Journey of a Lifetime!

The conversation delves into understanding introversion and extroversion, building teams with diverse personalities, and the importance of bias and prejudice in team building. Matthew shares hard lessons and warp speed moments in his career, emphasizing the power of collaboration and the EO community. The episode concludes with closing thoughts and how to connect with Matthew. 

Host Don Williams kicks things off with an engaging conversation featuring the dynamic duo, Richard and Chalon Clark. As the cameras start rolling, you can feel the energy as they dive into their entrepreneurial journeys. Chalon, a talented attorney turned interior designer, shares how she started her company, Design Redefined, from scratch and how her mindset shifted from lawyer to creative visionary. Alongside her, Richard reveals his passion for flipping houses and his love for sharing cultural cuisine with the world through his restaurant brands and a villa in Jamaica.

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. They also open up about the hard lessons they've learned along the way. Richard shares the emotional toll of his first failed business venture and how he had to pick up the pieces. Chalon reflects on her own setbacks, emphasizing the importance of legal agreements for entrepreneurs. It's a powerful reminder that failure is not the opposite of success but an essential part of the journey.

Throughout the episode, Richard and Chalon drop wisdom bombs left and right. Richard's metaphor of juggling glass balls and rubber balls will resonate with every entrepreneur, teaching us to prioritize and protect what truly matters. Meanwhile, Chalon's journey of finding her capacity and learning to say no is sure to strike a chord with ambitious go-getters.

The episode wraps up with a beautiful reminder to stay present, trust in grace, and embrace the path set by God. It's a message that will speak to your soul and inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

If you're ready for an episode filled with authentic wisdom, game-changing insights, and contagious entrepreneurial spirit, you need to listen to this episode now. Connect with Chalon on Instagram at @yourdesignredefined and reach out to Richard at Richard.Thomas@tphhg.com or on LinkedIn. Trust me, you won't regret diving into this episode. So what are you waiting for? Hit play and get ready to be inspired. See you on the other side of success!

Kyle takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial path, sharing how he and his best friend built their empire from the ground up. From investment banking to opening their first brand, FreeRange, it's been a wild ride of success and lessons learned.

But it's not just about the success stories. Kyle dives deep into the importance of work ethic, perseverance, and the power of surrounding yourself with talented individuals. He emphasizes that execution is key, and it's not always about the idea itself.

As we listen to Kyle's stories, we gain valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. We discover that it's not just about being the smartest person in the room, but rather creating a team that complements each other's strengths.

So, what are you waiting for? Tune in now to this enlightening episode and hear firsthand from a true entrepreneur who has navigated the challenges and triumphs of building a successful business. Discover Kyle's secrets to being a visionary leader and how to position yourself for long-term success.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable advice and inspiration from Kyle Noonan. Head over to our website at thefreerangeconcepts.com or find us on social media at Kyle Noonan to join the conversation and learn more about his incredible journey.

Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this captivating episode. Get ready to be motivated, inspired, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive in your own entrepreneurial journey. So, buckle up, hit that play button, and let's dive deep into the mind of a proven entrepreneur. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with Kyle Noonan, co-founder of FreeRange Concepts, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the secrets to his success. From humble beginnings to building a thriving business empire, Kyle shares valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Topics Discussed:

1. The story behind FreeRange Concepts and its various brands.

2. The importance of trust and shared values in business partnerships.

3. The evolution and success of their dog-friendly concept, Mutz.

4. The expansion plans and future locations of FreeRange Concepts.

5. Kyle's unconventional career path and the Role of work ethic in Entrepreneurship.

6. The significance of execution and hard work over ideas.

7. The value of humility, seeking advice, and building a strong team.

8. Lessons learned from past failures and the importance of patience.

9. Kyle's personal journey as a young entrepreneur and the impact of family.

Entities Mentioned:

1. Don Williams - Host of The Proven Entrepreneur Show.

2. Kyle Noonan - Co-founder of FreeRange Concepts.

3. FreeRange Concepts - A hospitality group that includes various restaurant and bar concepts.

4. Mutz - A dog-friendly concept within FreeRange Concepts.

5. The General Public - An American gastropub whiskey bar.

6. Jolio Fine Tex Mex - A Tex-Mex restaurant named after Kyle's grandfather.

7. Papado's Seafood Kitchen - A restaurant where Kyle began his career.

8. Houston - The city where Kyle had a pivotal conversation about his future.

9. COVID - The pandemic that affected the operations of FreeRange Concepts.

Don't miss this inspiring episode filled with valuable insights and practical advice from an experienced entrepreneur. Tune in now! 

Topics discussed include:

●       Childhood Influences and exposure to Entrepreneurship

●       Starting from the bottom and gaining experience in the restaurant industry

●       Financial challenges and the importance of proper financial planning

●       The dynamics of being a couple entrepreneur and maintaining a successful relationship

●       The power of seeking advice and assistance

●       Balancing each other's strengths and maintaining open communication

●       Taking risks and pursuing one's passions

●       Learning from mistakes and staying committed to goals

Entities mentioned throughout the episode include:

●       Dillas Quesadillas: Kyle and Maggie's successful business

●       Raising Canes: A company where Kyle gained experience and honed his entrepreneurial skills

Join Don Williams and the Gordons as they share valuable insights, personal stories, and wisdom gained from their journey as entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or someone looking to start their own venture, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain inspiration, learn from their experiences, and discover the keys to success in the business world.

Starting off as a small business lawyer, Bill and his buddies decided to break away from the traditional big law firm model. They formed their own firm, Platt Cheema Richmond, which has now grown to 28 lawyers spread across two offices in Dallas and Houston. They cover everything from business law to commercial real estate, catering to the needs of entrepreneurs like us.

But that's not all. Last year, Bill embarked on a whole new venture with the creation of CareGuide Advocates. This incredible company is revolutionizing the healthcare system by providing health transparency and advocacy services. They help individuals, as well as companies and health plans, find affordable and fair care options, even when dealing with surprise bills or outrageous hospital charges.

Throughout the episode, Bill shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of saying no to problematic people and setting boundaries, and continuous learning as a key to success. He also touches upon the power of intention, imagination, and the freedom to be extraordinary in chasing our dreams.

Now, I know you're eager to learn more, so don't waste another second. Tune in now to gain valuable wisdom and discover how Bill's firms, Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC and CareGuide Advocates, are making a significant impact in their respective industries. Visit cgasaves.com and @pcrfirm.com to learn more about these incredible ventures. Trust me, this episode is pure gold, so go ahead and hit that play button!

Thanks for joining me on this incredible entrepreneurial journey. Stay inspired, my friends!

Podcast Show Notes:

In this lively exchange, Don Williams invites Ann and Sunny Sheu, serial entrepreneurs and founders of Mpowered Families, to share their entrepreneurial journeys and how they maintain balance in the realm of business and personal life. From tales of their childhood spent in family-owned ventures to their current passion project, Mpowered Families, this interview dives deep into the life of the entrepreneurial couple. Gain insights into their childhood experiences that shaped them into the business minds they are today, discover EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and how it made a significant impact on their business and relationships, and learn about the importance of prioritizing personal growth in pursuit of success in life and work. If you're an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, this episode is a goldmine of wisdom and inspiration. Don't miss out!

Topics Discussed:

1. Childhood experiences as the foundation for an entrepreneurial mindset

2. Importance of balancing family, business, and personal life

3. Introduction to Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)

4. The transition from different business ventures to founding Empowered Families

5. The role of personal growth and self-awareness in an entrepreneurial journey

Entities Mentioned:

1. Don Williams

2. Ann Sheu

3. Sunny Sheu

4. Mpowered Families

5. Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

You can find Mpowered Families in the following:

Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Youtube

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com



Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

Setting a strategic plan is essential for growth in our business. Today’s guest has an interesting story of losing an award-winning agency and building it back in less than 90 days. In this episode, Scott Empringham, the CEO/Owner of Empringham Media Group, shares how his 8-Step Plan helps him rebuild his business without employees, money, and advantages. His strategies, methods, and latest A.I. Tools made that growth possible. Grab this opportunity to gain more insights and grow with Scott today! So tune in to turn that goal possible!

Scott’s committed to helping any business get customers with social media and offers a complimentary monthly workshop to share his unique story and help businesses answer three key questions: “Where do I start?”, “What do I say?”, “How do I finish everything using the latest strategies and A.I. tools in less time?” You can enroll now at: www.smart90workshop.com

You can also connect with Scott Empringham on these websites.

Discord http://www.scottempringham.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1625914957575554

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scottbempringham/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottempringham/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@scottempringham

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyLY0Q3VFEBZGP7SaTgb8w

Richard joins Don Williams to talk about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Learn why he wanted to pursue call centers and his unique cultural approach to this business. Discover how you can become a transformational leader just like him in this informative conversation.

Join Don Williams as he talks to Shahar Erez about his $0 to a $100MM exit in 30 Months. Shahar is the co-founder and CEO of Stoke Talent. Stoke helps empowers organizations with a solution to manage their growing workforce. With the ever-growing rate of freelancers, Shahar is here to help.

Listen in as Don and Shahar talk about the freelancing landscape, especially in today's environment. Discover how he sold his company with a $100MM exit. And find out why you need to network and go to meetings as an entrepreneur. 

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

Tip - Most Successfuls entrepreneurs have fun!

And we build fantastic, beautifully aesthetic pleasing bags that really resonate well with a wide audience. Our DNAis really in the intelligence of the bag. Our most popular bag contains a second bag, it's totally convertible. 

Tip - Many successful entrepreneurs design a product or service with one addtional "stand-out" feature.

I'm still the Creative Director for Etoile. I designed the first bag to solve problems for me when I travelling to see high end buyers whne I worked in high-end fashion. I needed to look the part and be efficient and that' how Etoile was born. 

Tip - great entrepreneurs solve problems. 

My Childhood

My mother worked for a big corporations, but when I was young girl, she had a flower shop. Though on a smaller scale, my mother did set an entrepreneurial example for me. I don't recall saying, I want to be just like my mom. In fact, I recall wanting to be the opposite of my mom and just being silly. I think in retrospect I can see that it certainly has shown me that it's a possible. In some ways, I've turned into my mother - LOL. We sell direct to consumer and to luxury retailers. Selling to luxury retaailers allowed us to quickly expand our footprint in different regions. 

TIp - Alternative distribution channels for entrepreneurs can help you quickly expand geography and market share.

We started in 2018 and our first customer was a luxury store named Stanley Korshak in Dallas. Since that time we expanded it to e-com and to our own brick and mortar stores. I'm very, very strict on distribution. Brand equity is so important if youre trying to beuild a great American luxury brand. Even though this is our fifth year, I feel like we are still in the infancy of our brand.

I went to college and studied business. I always ha a calling for the fashion industry, and fortunately Montreal is global hub of fashion. Out of college I wnet to work for a marge American luxury brand working on their Canadian sales and distribution. I did well enough that I was privileged to sit in a CEO walkthroughs and meetings. I learned so much at that and my next jobs. The second job I had total ownership of four brands. It was like being an entrepreneur with someone else's money. My last job was all about product development and creative. I got to travel to Asia, to Europe, to visit factories, to understand how to maximize,yielding your fabrics all abou tmanufacturing. 

TIP - Many entrepreneurs learn their trade while employed for other Companies.

In my career I had, I touched so many different sides of the fashion industry that I though, oh my God, I know everything. That's gonna be a breeze. I've learned so much more since staarting Etoile. First, when we make mistakes. We acknowledge the mistake, fix it and move forward. There's no need to dwell on mistakes, fix it and don't do it again. The hardest lesson has been cashflow management. You cannot really be successful until you masterd the cash. As a young company, we've had to be very agile and be very lean operationally.

One of our mutual mentors is Jay Rodgers. Jay has knowledge of experience in different types of business and has been very generous with his time in heloing me and Etoile. There are times where I've called Jay and asked a question, got an answer, I slept on it and found out I disagree. The value of successful mentors is immense to your business growth.

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach Don at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Theirs a Doctor in the house and his name is Dr. Thaddeus Gala. Thaddeus is an entrepreneurs' entrepreneur. He owns and runs several Companies. Every year Thaddeus hosts the Guardians Annual Retreat, bringing together 500 entrepreneurs, leaders, and philanthropists for a weekend of inspiration. The event features headliners like Gary Vaynerchuk, Natasha Graziano and a host of other A list Speakers. Tickets are always sell out almost as soon as they become available.

Unconventional childhood and Unconventional Entrepreneur

Dr. Gala's parents were one of a kind. His father was a Vietnam War veteran, while his mother was a grade school teacher. They fell in love instantly when they met. Within weeks, they picked up their lives and moved to the forests of Oregon.

Dr. Gala spent his formative years surrounded by nature in a rustic household. He had chickens as pets. Exercise involved cutting firewood. And winters meant finding new ways to unfreeze the pipes. Growing up, Dr. Gala always felt like the forest offered unique problems, which required equally unique solutions. Learning how to solve problems on his own led to the development of Thaddeus' entrepreneurial spirit.

The Road Less Travelled

Dr. Gala's first foray into business involved medicine. When his mother became ill with a life-threatening condition, he came face-to-face with the limitations of the current healthcare system. Thaddeus founded Complete Care, a multi-specialty clinic that advocated natural methods for pain and chronic disease. Today, Complete Care is responsible for over 50,000 patient visits a year. Last year, Dr. Gala's mom celebrated her 75th birthday by running a marathon. 

Like other great entrepreneurs, Dr. Gala is a master of the road less travelled. He has since ventured into taxation prevention and mentorship and boasts immense success in both. While he fell into both fields by accident, the entrepreneur in him recognized the opportunity, which allowed him to pursue it. This is one of the traits that separates great entrepreneurs from other businessmen.

Guardian's Advice 1, 2 and 3

First, opportunities are many times disguised as problems. When an average entrepreneur finds themself at a fork in the road, they may see that as a negative. But when a great entrepreneur finds themself at a crossroad, they look for the value of the options ahead. Reframing problems as opportunities may mean the difference between another bad day at the office and a groundbreaking idea.

Second, gratitude results in a never-empty cup. Each day, Dr. Gala makes time to list down three things for whihc he's thankful. He leaves these lists around his house, so that he is constantly reminded of the many blessings in his life. He firmly believes that this practice helps him become more present. It elevates his mood, which also improves the energy of those working with and for him.

And third, environment is the single best driver of behavior. If you surround yourself with the right people, you set yourself up for success. The Guardian Annual Retreat works on this premise. Every year, over 500 like-minded individuals gather in Puerto Rico to discuss health, wealth, and impact. The Guardian Annual Retreat is responsible for the growth of hundreds of great entrepreneurs all over the world.

proven

adjective

1. demonstrated by evidence or argument to be true or existing.
2. "a proven ability to work hard"

• (of a new method, system, or treatment) tried and tested.

en·tre·pre·neur

noun

1. a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

The Proven Entrepreneur - Success Stories share real stories from real entrepreneurs about how they got where they are.

https://provenentrepreneurshow.com

https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Experience is a great teacher for great entrepreneurs

Roland grew up in a small town in Covington, Virginia, but he always had big dreams. He was very close to his father. As a kid, Roland watched his attorney father meet with great entrepreneurs from every field. He decided early on that he wanted to be an entrepreneur himself.

Roland was an absolute natural. He got his first paying job at 13-years of age, where he taught five-year olds how to play tennis. During the first half of high school, he put on magic shows for an extra penny. During the second half, he joined a band that played in clubs that he wasn't even old enough to get into. In between performing, he was flipping real estate all across the United States. He sold insurance and securities. Once he set his sights on something, there was no limit to what he was willing to do.

He followed his father's advice and took accounting in college, because "numbers are important in all businesses". He also followed his dad's footsteps as an attorney and went into law school.

Roland's law practice grew quickly and easily. But an issue with a client resulted in the largest setback of his life. Roland's wife divorced him. And he lost millions of dollars in lawyer's fees. But he refused to give in.

During these dark times, Roland held onto what he was great at. He had always been a deeply happy person. He utilized this energy to get into the mindset that had him working on his plans. Soon enough, he was working on businesses that were close to his heart.

Co-founder and/or principal of 5 different Inc. Magazine fastest growing companies (e-commerce, e-learning, SaaS + real estate).

Serial entrepreneur who built or sold 24 businesses with adjusted sales ranging from $3 million to just under $4 billion.

Currently CEO of All Channels Media, LLC, and principal in Scalable.co, DigitalMarketer.com, Traffic & Conversion Summit, Praxio.com, TruConversion.com, War Room Mastermind, Fully Accountable, Everbowl Restaurants, Big Block Realty, Scribe Publishing and Real Estate Worldwide.

Roland’s work includes infomercials with Guthy-Renker, publishing deals with Simon & Schuster & Random House, shows with major hotels on the Las Vegas strip, over 100 private and public offerings, running an international hedge fund, advising major brands on a variety of business and legal related issues (from PepsiCo to McDonald’s).

Roland has a real passion for business and putting deals together and is always looking for businesses to invest in or acquire, re-position and sell. Recent strategic partnerships and clients include Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Harper-Collins Publishing, Fedex and Uber.

Specialties: Acquiring or partnering with entrepreneurs to scale businesses through acquisitions, strategic relationships and marketing. Roland is also adept at negotiation, copywriting, marketing strategy, structuring and funding of mergers and acquisitions and,

Small child, big dreams

Abeer grew up in Jordan, a country whose claim to fame is being the lowest point on Earth. As a child, she watched her father work in one business after another. Her father worked in everything from oil to insurance. Unsurprisingly, Abeer got her work ethic from her father. While everyone else was playing house, she played company with her siblings, where they pretended to run a business from their backyard.

Abeer turned her dreams into actual businesses as soon as she could. During college she sold t-shirts and earrings from her dorm. And she also launched a meal delivery program that was 20 years ahead of Uber Eats. 

While Abeer's early business attempts didn't stand the test of time, they taught her how to run a company. These lessons would help her build one of the most successful women-run businesses in this decade.

A natural entrepreneur

Upon graduation, Abeer set her sights on growing as a businesswoman. She joined Aramex, the largest logistics, courier, and package delivery company in the Middle East. Over the next five years, she learned the ins and outs of motivation, leadership, and customer service.

Abeer started Better Business because she recognized a need among small and medium-sized enterprises. Like other great entrepreneurs, she took what she learned from her first job and applied it to her own business.

Better Business is now the leading organization for management consulting and human capital development in Jordan and the surrounding area. Since launching in 2003, Better Business has given over 500 companies a brighter future. 

Abeer credits Better Business's growth to consistency. She always makes sure to lead by example and encourages her team to practice what they preach. This allows Better Business to follow through on every promise that it makes to its clients.

A businesswoman for the modern age

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an important challenge for Abeer. By this time, after almost two decades in the business, the company was running smoothly. All of a sudden, COVID-19 restricted how they could run their programs and seminars. Instead of insisting on the status quo, Abeer met with her team to find a new course of action. Within three days, they pivoted their set-up online. Today, Better Business counts companies in Asia and the US among their clients.

Better Business is where it is today because Abeer is fearless. She constantly and continuously pushes boundaries to be all that she can be. In 2013, she climbed to Mt Everest base camp with a group of great entrepreneurs to help raise $1M for cancer research. It is this level of work and commitment that allows Better Business to help its clients be all that they can be. 

proven

adjective

1. demonstrated by evidence or argument to be true or existing.
2. "a proven ability to work hard"

• (of a new method, system, or treatment) tried and tested.

en·tre·pre·neur

noun

1. a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

The Proven Entrepreneur - Success Stories share real stories from real entrepreneurs about how they got where they are.

https://provenentrepreneurshow.com

https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Making a Career out of Nation-building

Carrie was born in a small town in the deep Midwest, where every house looked the same. For as far back as she could remember, she knew she that there was more to the world than her little corner.

When she was 12, she came across a book on foreign policy that changed the direction of her life forever. She went on to complete a degree in Russian Studies and a PhD in Political Science. 

Right after graduation, she joined the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she worked on human rights and refugee issues. Unsurprisingly, her work in the US State Department led to a position with the American Red Cross. Over the next decade, Carrie was directly involved in spearheading international disaster response efforts. Every time disaster struck, no matter where disaster struck, Carrie was there.

Learning from the Frontline

Like successful entrepreneurs, Carrie took every project as a learning opportunity. In fact, she learned some of her best lessons during her early years of work.

For one, Carrie's recognized the value of growing and maximizing existing networks. As a program director in the Red Cross, Carrie always aimed to deliver help in the quickest amount of time. But even if the Red Cross arrived within a few days of each calamity, they always found that help was already being given. Carrie eventually realized that the locals could do such quick work because they were utilizing networks that always existed within the community. As CEO of EO, Carrie tries to do the same. She hires from within the EO network whenever possible. When needed, she asks for advice from her peers.

For another, Carrie learned the value of speaking up and being heard. When she first started in politics, she often deferred to her superiors because they were older. But the more she spoke up, the more she realized that she had something to offer. In the same regard, she learned the importance of giving good actionable feedback. Oftentimes, teams work with a singular focus to the point of burnout. Recognizing team members for their good work is the best way to boost morale and redirect goals.

Celebrating Successful Entrepreneurs

EO is a global non-profit organization with members in over 60 countries. As CEO, Carrie is responsible for every one of the organization's 15,000 members. While the work is tough, Carrie enjoys every minute because she considers it as an exercise in life-long learning. Her tenure in EO has also taught her the power of tenacity. Most of the time, the truest test of success is simply having enough faith to see things through.

She is a mom, foreign policy advocate, and CEO of the EO.

Carrie is a wonderful role model. She is a mother, a foreign policy advocate, and the CEO of one of the most respected organizations for Entrepreneurship in the world. Without a doubt, the future of EO looks bright with her at the helm.

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

From selling extra paper to coffee shops, running a stucco division to putting up historical buildings, and providing services to retail giants. Tune in and learn how he overcame the pressures of adapting to a new environment, worked around challenges and converted them into opportunities. 

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

One of the most important phrases in business is, do the next right thing. That phrase is one of the most powerful phrases in business as discussed by Conor Neil. It is, do “the” next right thing, not do “a” right thing, you got to know what you’re doing. So for “the” to apply, you got to know where you’re going to do next.

One of the ways to do nothing is to be thinking about a hundred other things. The next thing is the only place we can make a difference, it’s right here right now. This is the most important part of it all in the journey of an entrepreneur, a sense of what is right. What’s the path to the next million right things and that right thing comes from each of us. The right thing differs in each person. The right thing for your friend may not be the right thing for you and this causes a lot of questions. Who they are and what should they do. The business for each people differs from each other.

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

A book by john Fitzgerald called the adventures that a great brain was about a family of three boys who grew up in the Midwest at a turn of the century. And so the great brain, as described by his younger brother, who wrote the story, was always concocting the schemes to swindle the kids out of their money. And back then it's like a penny could buy you stuff, a lot of things. And so he'd always invent different things. And we'd go on this crazy adventure of the great brain. And I read this, and I didn't know at that time, but the great brain was an entrepreneur, he figured out how to use a smart and give the people, his classmates, and his friends what it is that they wanted. And he found a way to profit while everybody was happy. So the great brain was out fishing, and he would sell what he caught to his neighbors. This book inspires Chris to manifest that he’ll be successful one day. Little did he know, that manifestation is so powerful, it leads him to his very first investor.

For information on how to work with Don visit Work With Don Williams

You can also reach out to Don Williams at https://donwilliamsglobal.com

Please join Don and his businesses in support of St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in its Mission to cure Childhood Cancers. You can donate to St. Jude at stjude.org/donate

The word Enthusiasm comes from two Greek root words “en” and “theos”. The translation for “en theos” is God within. The words do not mean light the hair on fire and special like the Southern Evangelical Minister shouting fire and brimstone. The real meaning of these two words is that one should be acting and conducting with passion for the project the person is involved in. Meaning, to be enthusiastic, is to be as passionate as you can be. Not as passionate as the people on the television that lit their hair on fire, and is yelling, screaming, and jumping around, that necessarily is not enthusiasm, maybe bravado, but enthusiasm is vulnerable, authentic passion for the business or niche the entrepreneur has been doing. For example, when one is enthusiastic enough for their chosen niche, in fashion, for example, one will make a thorough research on the latest fashion trends, fashion style, men’s and women’s fashion trend for this year, and how to incorporate this to the business and how to deliver it to the customers.