Business Leadership Series

In this episode Derek Champagne, Founder & CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Sean Wittenberg. Sean has been featured on ABC hit tv show Shark Tank and is the President & Founder of Safe Catch Inc.Sean is on a mission to make a positive impact on our world and he is well on his way! He talks with Derek about motivation behind developing his technology and company, how he maintains his passion and focus, and what's next for his industry.Safe Catch is an award nominee at Expo West for its 100% mercury tested canned tuna. Purity for pregnant women, kids and top athletes. Safe Catch pack and cook methods result in more purity, nutrients and Omega 3s for peak performance and recovery. SafeCatch.com.People, globally, want to live happy, healthy lives and unilaterally recognize that a healthy diet is key. Safe Catch provides the purity and nutrients to give all consumers, around the world, the ability to eat seafood with confidence.The last 10 years has been spent developing the world’s first technology

Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Youtube sensation and 2x Shark Tank guest Aaron Marino! Aaron Marino, successful entrepreneur and Founder of Pete & Pedro, gives us valuable insight on growing a brand, learning from failures, and building a content machine with millions of engaged followers.Learn more at www.aaronmarino.com

Derek Champagne interviews Mike Caprari. In addition to being the stars of a highly watched episode of MSNBC's popular tv show The Profit, Mike Caprari is a passionate musician and entrepreneur. Mike is the SVP of Marketing and Co Founder of SJC Custom Drums. His product is played and endorsed by some of the world's top musicians and bands.Mike talks with us about his journey of building his business, his experience on The Profit, learning from mistakes, developing authentic customer relationships, engaging with customers on social media, and building the right team. Learn more at www.sjcdrums.com

In this week’s interview, Derek Champagne talks with Shark Tank veteran Steven Sashen. Steven talks with Derek about building an international business, stepping in the Shark Tank, and even his days of stand up comedy.Steven is the developer and CEO of Xero Shoes • Your Original Barefootware – www.XeroShoes.com. Steven and his wife, Lena Phoenix, started the “Barefoot… PLUS!” sandal business in late 2009; he had returned to sprinting 2 years earlier, at age 45, and experienced almost continuous injuries. An experiment with running barefoot cured the injuries and improved his times. Knowing about the Tarahumara indians in Mexico, who run hundreds of miles in sandals made of tire scraps lashed to their feet, Steven created a high-tech upgrade of that product and launched it online.With nothing but Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Marketing, Xero Shoes has become the best-selling running sandal in the world.Steven’s commitment is to making footwear that lets customers connect with the ground and “Feel Th

In this episode Derek Champagne talks with Melissa Gersin. Melissa was  featured on the hit tv show Shark Tank and shares her transformation from maternity RN to inventor and business owner.Based on 5 years of experience as a maternity RN, Melissa invented and designed the Tranquilo Mat – the only portable, versatile soothing mat for babies. Listen in as she shares her long journey in launching the product, challenges along the way, and ultimately triumph!

In this episode, Derek interviews Shark Tank veteran Ben Zvaifler. Ben is the co founder and CEO of PupBox. PupBox landed a deal with Shark Tank personality and entrepreneur Robert Herjavec. Ben talks with Derek about his entrepreneurial journey, and how they landed a deal on Shark Tank.Learn more at www.Pupbox.com

In this episode Derek interviews Lisa Binderow. Lisa has a GREAT start up story and shares her healthy outlook on building a business, choosing balance, and her experience on ABC's hit tv show Shark Tank.Learn more at www.nicepipesapparel.com

Derek interviews entrepreneur and consultant, Herb Cogliano. Herb leads his own advisory practice leveraging the Scaling Up Performance Platform, described in Verne Harnish's award-winning book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits-Scaling Up. As a Business Coach, experienced CEO Scaling Up Practitioner, and Professor of the Scaling Up Masters Business Course, he has learned firsthand what it takes to overcome many business challenges. Herb is pursuing his passion of working with leaders of growth companies to achieve more freedom by helping them create industry leading strategies, a culture of accountability, flawless execution along with a healthy cash flow within their organizations. Herb was formerly CEO of Sullivan and Cogliano Designers, a 53-year privately held family owned, Technology Staffing and Workforce Solutions firm and in 1993, he also founded the Sullivan and Cogliano education business. Sullivan and Cogliano joined a select group of companies that have appeared on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Co

Robin Farmanfarmaian is a futurist, health technologist and author of the new book “The Patient as CEO” (available now.) She is a highly-sought public speaker and business leader who is passionate about her message that “Technology is Hope.” As a teen, Robin was misdiagnosed with an autoimmune disease that led to forty-three hospitalizations and six major surgeries – many of them ultimately unnecessary. She has literally had to fight for her life on a regular basis and has made it her mission to improve health, wellness and medicine through technology.As an entrepreneur, Robin has worked on more than 10 early-stage start-up companies all dealing with cutting-edge technology, most in medicine and biotech. In “The Patient as CEO” she reveals the growing number of breakthroughs in biomedical technology, including wearable sensors, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, robotics and more, all set to fundamentally change healthcare and wellness. Learn more at www.robinff.com

We spoke to Beau Oyler, Shark Tank Veteran and Entrepreneur recently. Beau talks with Derek about his experience on Shark Tank, building a successful company, and some valuable lessons he has learned along the way.Having founded Enlisted Design and Urbio, he has created rich product and brand experiences for fortune 500’s and small startups. He pioneered the design cooperative movement and has a unique ability to truly collaborate with his partners. His designs have received every major design award including Red Dot, Spark, IDEA, GOOD Design, TheDieline, Wired Editor’s Choice and Best of Show at Dwell on Design.Highlights:San Francisco Business Times “40 Under 40”Diablo Magazine “40 Under 40” San Francisco Business Times“Fastest Growing Private Companies in the SF Bay Area”Led the Honey Can Do acquisition of Urbio2015 Highlights:Enlisted named Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America by Entrepreneur MagazineWhen not at Enlisted, you’ll find him cycling, surfing, hiking and exploring with his wife and two ad

In this episode, Derek Champagne interviews Devin Thorpe. As a new-media journalist and founder of the Your Mark on the World Center, Devin has established himself as a champion of social good. Devin was formerly the CFO of one of the top 3 Fortune 500 companies in 2009 before shifting his attention to social entrepreneurship.As a Forbes contributor, with more than 250 bylines and over one million unique visitors, he has become a recognized name in the social impact arena. His YouTube show, featuring celebrities, CEOs, billionaires and entrepreneurs who are out to change the world, has been viewed over 200,000 times, giving him a recognizable face as well.Devin is also a noted author with 4 popular books that have raving reviews and over 1,000,000 downloads to date.Devin calls himself a champion of social good. As an author, speaker and Forbes contributor he focuses on helping those doing good in the world.www.devinthorpe.com

Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, chats with tv executive and consultant, Jen Grisanti, about being the active hero in your own story.International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy, Inc. Grisanti is also a Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, a former studio executive, a blogger for The Huffington Post and author of Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story, TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells, and her upcoming book, Change Your Story, Change Your Life.Twenty-Three years ago, Grisanti started her career as an assistant to Aaron Spelling, who served as her mentor for 12 years. She quickly climbed the ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all of Spelling’s shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place and Charmed. In 2004, Grisanti was promoted to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount where she covered numerous shows including Medium, Numbers, NCIS,

Former pro football player and entrepreneur Derrick Furlow Jr shares his "Get Out of Arkansas" plan and when he learned his higher calling.Growing up, Derrick saw himself as another kid who wanted a better life and knew sports, in particular, football would serve as a vehicle to a better life. After growing up with much adversity, he began working towards shifting his perspective from a temporary experience of playing on the field to a permanent purpose of serving those who currently and formerly played sports. Today, Derrick travels across the United States sharing his story with the hope of empowering others to never to yield when facing adversity.Derrick is now the author of "What's Next: How To Transition Like A Champion" and coaches athletes, CEOs, executives, and leaders to grow in transition and adversity.Learn more at https://derrickfurlow.com/

Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Shark Tank Veteran John Wise. John has an MBA from Harvard and is the Co Founder and COO of LovePop, a company that scored a deal with Mr. Wonderful on the TV show Shark Tank and is disrupting the greeting card industry.John talks with Derek about launching their Kickstarter campaign, having transparency and trust with your partners and team, how his network helped them to launch, and his experience before, during, and after Shark Tank.

Derek Champagne sits down for a special conversation with his dear friend, Charles Kochel. Charles is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and author. Charles is also the CEO of Infinity Blue, North America, a borderless e-commerce agency helping brands engage with new customers on multiple platforms and continents. Charles talks with us about business, life…and cancer. Charles new must-read book is More: A Mindful Guide To Intentional LivingIn More, Charles Kochel presents a heartfelt exploration of what truly matters in life: spirituality, health, relationships, time, and freedom. This book is not about imparting absolute truths but rather about encouraging readers to embark on their own unique journeys toward fulfillment. Through personal stories and valuable lessons, Kochel invites you to reflect on your path, recognize your potential, and embrace the richness of life. With an emphasis on mindfulness and intentionality, More serves as a guide to inspire you to live fully, love deeply, and discover the beauty

Derek Champagne interviews former NFL play and entrepreneur, Marques Ogden. Marques, the best-selling author of "Sleepless Nights: The NFL: a Business and Family", talks with Derek about his childhood years, playing in the NFL, his entrepreneurial journey, and leadership lessons along the way.Growing up in a single-parent home with a father that inspired and demonstrated perseverance and fairness, Marques Ogden learned how to define his values and set goals. Marques attended Howard University from 1998-2002, where he played Division I football. He followed his dream and his brother Jonathan's footsteps and was drafted into the NFL in 2003. At the age of 27, he founded a construction company called Kayden Premier Enterprises, a business that grew rapidly in its first few years, but he lost the business after a bad business endeavor. At his lowest point, the NFL and lessons he learned from his father and coaches, helped him restructure his life.Learn more at https://www.marquesogden.com

Derek's guest this week is Whitney Johnson: Innovation and disruption theorist, keynote speaker, best-selling author, executive and performance coach.Whitney shares her unique journey and key concepts about how to motivate your employees from her book "Build an A Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve".Whitney Johnson was named one of the world's fifty most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 in 2017.She is the author of the bestselling Build an A Team (Harvard Business Press, 2018), a Financial Times and CEO Read, Book of the Month, and the critically-acclaimed Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work (2015). Publisher's Weekly described it as "savvy...often counter-intuitive...superb" while the Boston Globe called it the "'What Color is Your Parachute?' career guide for the entrepreneurial age."Through writing, speaking, consulting and coaching, Whitney works with leaders to retain their top talent, to build an A team, and to help them earn th

Listen to this powerful interview with Dr. David Fajgenbaum who has an incredible new memoir, "Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope into Action". David’s story is truly unique; it’s a tale of learning to live, while dying: a universally relatable story about getting up and fighting back after life knocks you down.A former Georgetown quarterback nicknamed "The Beast," David Fajgenbaum was also a force in medical school, where he was known for his unmatched mental stamina. But things changed dramatically when he began suffering from inexplicable fatigue. In a matter of weeks, his organs were failing and he was read his last rites. Doctors were baffled over a condition they had yet to even diagnose; floating in and out of consciousness, Fajgenbaum prayed for the equivalent of a game day overtime: a second chance.Miraculously, Fajgenbaum survived, but only to endure repeated near-death relapses from what would eventually be identified as a form of Castleman disease—an extremely deadly and rare condition

Kyle Maynard is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and ESPY award-winning mixed martial arts athlete, known for becoming the first quadruple amputee to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Aconcagua without the aid of prosthetics.Oprah Winfrey called Kyle “one of the most inspiring young men you will ever hear about.” Arnold Schwarzenegger described him as “the real deal,” “a champion human,” and “one of the most inspiring people” he’s ever met. Even the great Wayne Gretzky has spoken of Kyle’s “greatness.”Despite being born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that has left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees, he learned early on with the support of his family, to live life independently and without prosthetics.Kyle thrives on physical challenges and following a few rough middle school football seasons; he went on to become a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive MMA/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In this episode Derek talks with the world's #1 Bowler Jason Belmonte. Jason talks with Derek about his unique story of bowling since the age of two, how he stays motivated to continue being the best in the world, and more on his entrepreneurial journey. Jason is known for being one of the first bowlers to gain media attention for using the two handed approach style to deliver his shot. He has won 22 PBA titles, making him one of only 15 players in history with at least 20 PBA Tour wins. His PBA Tour victories include a record 11 major championships, four of these in the USBC Masters, which is also a record. He is also a four-time PBA Player of the Year.Learn more at https://www.jasonbelmonte.com/