Welcome to The Libby DeLucien Podcast, where we go beyond surface-level conversations to uncover the raw, real, and powerful layers of business, family, and entrepreneurial life. Rooted in the One Layer Deep principle from Libby’s groundbreaking book, this podcast challenges you to think deeper, lead smarter, and live with purpose. Whether you’re scaling a business, balancing family, or navigating the chaos of entrepreneurship, each episode delivers candid insights, actionable strategies, an ...
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Get ready for an adorable journey with “Yaya & Libby’s Big Heart Adventures”! 🌈💖 In our very first episode, six-year-old Yaya and Libby talk about life, laughter, and a few unexpected “meditations” (or maybe just naps 😴) along the way! Plus, we’re diving into some of our favorite children’s books by inspiring entrepreneurs. 📚✨ 📢 Yaya’s got a BIG heart and plenty of giggles to share, and we’re so excited for you to join us on this adventure. So, grab a cozy seat and tune in for some heartwarm ...
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The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ is a top-tier entrepreneurial podcast featuring real conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and small business owners. Tune in for startup success stories, actionable business growth strategies, and honest reflections on the entrepreneurial journey. Each episode is packed with entrepreneurship tips and tricks, startup funding tips, and founder insights to help you build, scale, and lead with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just gettin ...
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Episode 63 - Workshop Style: From Interview Chaos to Clarity
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41:29This episode is straight from a recent live workshop where I walk through exactly how to fix broken recruiting systems—and stop wasting time on interviews that go nowhere. I’m sharing the real numbers: time, money, and energy most business owners lose when using outdated hiring methods. Then I walk you through the Stacked Interview strategy we’ve u…
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Episode 209 From Elephants to Empires: How Libby DeLucien Built Multiple Businesses from Scratch
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28:14In this inspiring episode, Gabriel Flores interviews Libby DeLucien—multi-business owner, software founder, and children’s book author—about her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Libby shares how she went from growing up in a family that owned the largest herd of Asian elephants in North America to launching residential cleaning companies, recrui…
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Episode 62 - Libby Live: The CT Fingerprint
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24:32This special Libby Live presentation—“The CT Fingerprint”—is about changing the way we hire, forever. I’m sharing the official launch of the CT Fingerprint: a first-of-its-kind framework to identify what actually makes a great residential cleaning technician. This is based on real data, real interviews, and the real traits we’ve been missing. But t…
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Episode 210 Scaling Global Talent: How Pranav Dalal Built Office Beacon into a Remote Work Powerhouse
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43:07In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Pranav Dalal, founder and CEO of Office Beacon. Pranav shares how he pioneered remote staffing long before it became a trend, scaling his global team to thousands of full-time employees across four countries. Discover how he identifies strategic "hooks," builds world-cl…
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Episode 61 - Date Mornings: The Hustle Hangover
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46:38
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46:38We hit 200 hours of intense work in two weeks—and totally forgot how to stop. In this episode, Chris and I talk about the sprint we just pushed through, the burnout we didn’t expect, and how we’re learning (the hard way) to build in real rest. We go deep on managing energy over time, embracing the idea of a “minimum viable product” even outside of …
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This one isn’t polished. It’s personal. I’m coming to you solo after one of the toughest weeks I’ve had in business in a while. A long-time employee turned competitor. Clients lost. Lies exposed. And a hard truth I had to face: I saw the signs, and I didn’t act. If you’ve ever been burned by someone you trusted… if you’ve ever felt that gut-punch b…
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Episode 208: Keeping It Fresh: Cold Chain Logistics and the Agri-Business Hustle with Colby Varley
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41:09In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Colby Varley, Vice President and Co-owner of ATS Salinas, a 40-year-old logistics firm specializing in refrigerated transportation. From driving trucks to leading operations, Colby shares his full-circle journey in the high-stakes world of perishable produce. Tune…
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Episode 59: Deep Dive: Old School Hiring Is Killing Your Business
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19:36
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19:36What if I told you the way you're interviewing right now is costing you over $80,000 a year? In this Deep Dive episode, I’m walking you through the real math behind recruiting inefficiency, and exactly how we do it differently at WootRecruit. From quality control to time-wasting interviews, to why your HR team might be sabotaging scale in the name …
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Episode 207: From Employee to Owner, Corey Morris on Mastering Digital Marketing & Agency Growth
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51:05In Episode 207 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, shares how he transitioned from agency employee to owner—while learning the hard truths about profitability, digital marketing ROI, and building a focused team culture. Corey walks through how he went from managing operat…
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Episode 58: Date Mornings: Leading Without Ego
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49:59In this Date Mornings episode, Chris and I are talking about something that’s wrecked deadlines, team trust, and even self-worth—confidence bias. It’s that little voice in your head that says “Yeah, I can get it done,” even when you’re already maxed out. It’s the reason we overcommit, underdeliver, and stay stuck in burnout. And we’re seeing it eve…
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Episode 206: Systems, Scaling & Creative Freedom with Jonathan Ronzio, Co-Founder of Trainual
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53:20In Episode 206 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, Jonathan Ronzio, co-founder and CMO of Trainual, shares how systems, structure, and documented processes are the keys to scaling a business—and unlocking creative freedom for founders. From adventure filmmaking to building one of the top business ops platforms, Jonathan opens up about the identity …
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Episode 57: Firestarter: Stop Ignoring the Signs
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24:32This episode hits deep. From a resort in Mexico (yes, kind of in a bathing suit again — you’ve been warned 😏), I’m getting real about one of the hardest lessons in business: putting the wrong person in charge. We’ve all done it—hired or promoted someone too fast, out of burnout, desperation, or straight-up hope. And when it backfires, it doesn’t ju…
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Episode 205: Marketing with Purpose – John Horn on Strategy-First Advertising
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41:55In Episode 205 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, Gabriel Flores interviews John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, a digital marketing agency built around strategy-first advertising. John shares how he helped build the company from the ground up, why understanding a client’s business context is crucial, and how Stub Group helps companies overcome ad account…
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Episode 56: Firestarter: The 1 Layer Deep Lens for Real Decisions
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24:46This Firestarter episode is all about cutting the noise and getting clear. Chris and I discuss what "1 Layer Deep" really means, not as a tactic or a checklist but as a way of thinking. It’s about simplifying how you lead, make decisions, and show up when everything feels messy. We share how we use this lens in life, business, parenting, and team l…
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Episode 204: Reinventing the E-Commerce Supply Chain with Izzy Rosenzweig
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30:54In Episode 204 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Izzy Rosenzweig, founder and CEO of Portless, to discuss how he's rethinking global e-commerce fulfillment. From struggling brand owner to innovator, Izzy shares how the Portless model slashes lead times, improves cash flow, and supports brands manufacturing in As…
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Episode 55: Date Mornings: Where Is Your Time Actually Going?
1:10:40
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1:10:40We thought this would be a quick couples planning session… and two weeks later, here we are. 😅 In this Date Mornings episode, Chris and I go deep on the Time Value Matrix we created to help business owners like us figure out where their time is actually going—and where it SHOULD be. If you’ve got multiple ventures, side hustles, or locations, this …
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Episode 203: Betting on Yourself with James Hilovsky – Navigating Franchise Ownership
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35:51In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with James Hilovsky, CEO of The Fran Dream, to explore the world of franchise ownership. James shares his transition from the fast-food industry to franchise consulting, the steps to evaluate a good opportunity, and why networking is crucial to franchise success. Supp…
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Episode 54: Firestarter: Stop Managing. Start Leading.
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6:52
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6:52In this Firestarter episode, we’re lighting up one of the biggest lies in business: that more meetings will fix broken teams. The truth is, if you’re scheduling meeting after meeting trying to “align” people, you’re just covering up deeper leadership gaps. Systems won’t save you. Checklists won’t make your team care more. And processes won’t replac…
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Episode 53: Task → Responsibility → Trust
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13:56Let’s talk about delegation that actually works. If you’re still micromanaging your inbox or triple-checking what your assistant’s allowed to touch, I hate to break it to you—but you don’t have an assistant. You have a task-taker. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal Delegation Framework—the same one that helped me go from “doing everything” to…
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Episode 202: Reinventing Direct Mail in the Digital Age with Wilson Zehr
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50:00Wilson Zehr, founder of Zairmail, joins The Shades of Entrepreneurship to share how direct mail is evolving in the digital age. From launching hybrid mail solutions to creating Speedy, a tool for one-to-one mailing, Wilson explains how automation and audience targeting make direct mail more effective than ever. He breaks down the benefits of first-…
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Episode 52: Date Mornings: The Talent Shift You Can’t Ignore
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51:33This Date Mornings episode with Chris is a must-listen if hiring feels harder than ever. We’re breaking down what’s being called The Great Stay — a shift where people aren’t leaving jobs, pay bumps aren’t enough to move them, and turnover is slowing down across the board. Inside this episode: 🔸Why your job postings aren’t getting traction 🔸How infl…
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Empowering Entrepreneurs: Leveraging Open Source Software for Business Growth
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30:21Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success with host Gabriel Flores on The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ by understanding the role of open source software in empowering businesses. Hear how David Young build Federated Computer's suite of tools is transforming the way entrepreneurs build and customize their infrastructure for optimal performance. S…
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Episode 51: Firestarter: Automations ≠ Freedom
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24:36
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24:36We need to talk about automations… because y’all, it’s gotten out of hand. Everyone's selling the “automate your business and gain your freedom” dream, but if your systems suck, you’re just automating chaos. In this Firestarter🔥 episode, I’m breaking down why most automations fall flat, how the GHL reseller craze is turning into an MLM vibe, and wh…
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Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success: The Penji Journey with Johnathan Grzybowski
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50:10Join host Gabriel Flores on The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ in this exclusive interview as Johnathan Grzybowski reveals the key strategies behind Penji's creative subscription service, revolutionizing graphic design, web development, and marketing. Gain invaluable insights into solving real, large problems, fostering clear communication, and naviga…
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Episode 50: Doers Over Leaders: The New Hiring Era
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21:12
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21:12The Great Resignation is over... welcome to the Great Stay. In this solo episode, I break down what’s actually happening in today’s hiring market—and why it feels so hard to find (and keep) great people right now. From inflated wages and hiring hangovers to the shift from leaders to doers, this is a must-listen for any business owner feeling stuck.…
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Crafting a Solid IP Strategy: Key Steps for Entrepreneurs
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43:56Discover the key steps entrepreneurs should take to develop a robust intellectual property (IP) strategy on The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ featuring Jeff Holman, CEO of Intellectual Strategies. Explore the significance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets in protecting your brand assets and innovations. Learn how to avoid common I…
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Episode 49: Date Mornings: The Truth About Comfort Zones
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47:04
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47:04This one's for all my fellow moms, entrepreneurs, and partners juggling all the things 🫠 In this special Date Mornings episode, Chris and I talk about what it really means to get comfortable—and why that might be the very thing keeping you stuck. From travel burnout and falling off routines, to getting real about self-image and priorities, we’re go…
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From Yacht Racing to High-Tech Drones: The Carbonix Story with Founder Dario Valenza
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52:08On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Dario Valenza, founder of Carbonix, to explore his journey from America’s Cup yacht racing to developing cutting-edge long-range drones. Dario shares how he applied his expertise in aerodynamics and composite structures to create fixed-wing VTOL drones designed fo…
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Episode 48: You’re the Bottleneck: How to Simplify, Scale & Finally Get Your Time Back
26:49
26:49
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26:49🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨 This is the FIRST episode under our new brand—The Libby DeLucien Podcast! 🎉 Formerly known as Fearlessness, we’re going One Layer Deep—stripping away the fluff and getting real about what actually moves the needle in business, leadership, and life. And we’re kicking things off with a truth bomb: YOU are probably the bottleneck…
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Blending Business and Investing: The Entrepreneurial Edge with Maxwell Nee of ScoreApp
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39:48On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Maxwell Nee, an entrepreneur-turned-investor, to discuss his journey from corporate banking to building and scaling businesses. Maxwell shares insights into the entrepreneurial vs. investor mindset, his experience launching ventures in Singapore’s sustainable indu…
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Episode 47: Building a Business That Runs Without You with Jhon LeBaron
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32:50
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32:50This episode is packed with insights on business, freedom, and building something that truly runs without you! 💡 I sat down with my good friend Jhon LeBaron, who took over his mom’s cleaning business in 2017 and scaled it from six figures to multiple seven figures—all while working only an hour a week in the company. We talked about what it takes t…
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Scaling Success with Virtual Assistant with Founder of Virtual Assistant Academy Molly Rose Speed
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33:52On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Molly Rose Speed, Founder of Virtual Assistant Academy, to discuss the power of outsourcing and how virtual assistants can transform the way entrepreneurs run their businesses. Molly Rose shares her journey from corporate life to building a business that trains to…
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Episode 46: The Power of Culture: How Jeannie Henderson Built Strong Teams
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48:03
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48:03This episode is packed with business wisdom, resilience, and culture-building gold! 💡 I sat down with my good friend Jeannie Henderson, CEO of Jeannie Cleaning and creator of Culture Magic, to talk about how she went from owning 30+ restaurant franchises to building a successful cleaning company. We dive into the lessons learned from losing everyth…
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Kris Jones: Crafting Story-Driven Websites
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35:31In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, Gabriel sits down with Kris Jones, author of From Click to Clients and owner of Red Door Designs, to explore the transformative power of storytelling in marketing. Kris shares how a compelling brand story can help businesses connect with their audience and convert visitors into loyal clients, even …
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Episode 45: From Survival to Success: Erica Turner's Journey of Resilience & Reinvention
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39:15
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39:15This episode is packed with resilience, reinvention, and real talk!❤️🔥 I sat down with Erica Turner, owner of Green Meadow Cleaning, to talk about how she accidentally fell into the cleaning industry, built a thriving business, and found her passion for giving back. We dive into how hurricanes and hardships shaped her leadership, why giving back t…
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From DEI to Belonging: Don Berger’s Mission to Redefine Workplace Culture
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45:35In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Don Berger to explore the transformative power of belonging in the workplace. Don shares his personal journey—from being adopted and moving from Israel to the U.S., to founding a successful event planning software company. He discusses how his experiences inspired…
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Episode 44: Business, Books & Breaking Barriers with Lisa Ciao
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45:36
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45:36This episode is all about resilience, purpose, and making an impact! ❤️🔥 I sat down with Lisa Ciao—mom, cleaning business owner, author, and now, nonprofit founder. She shares how she built her business, the challenges of raising a special-needs son, and how his journey inspired her book, Anthony’s Way: I Am Me. We also dive into the emotional pro…
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Resilience in Business: Aaron Rokstad’s Power Industry Legacy and Overcoming Adversity
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42:39In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores interviews Aaron Rokstad, third-generation entrepreneur in the power industry and founder of Rokstad Power. Aaron shares his journey from growing up in a family-owned utility business to launching Rokstad Power in 2008. He discusses the evolving challenges of the power line indu…
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Episode 43: Partnerships, Fear, and Growth: Amber Hathaway’s Road to Success
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49:13In this episode of Fearlessness, I sit down with Amber Hathaway, the powerhouse behind Cowpoke Cleaning. Amber's journey from working at a coffee shop to building a thriving cleaning business is nothing short of inspiring. She shares how a dream (literally!) led her to start her company, the tough lessons she learned from a failed partnership, and …
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Jeff Greenfield on Redefining Marketing Metrics in a Privacy-First World
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38:10In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Jeff Greenfield, CEO of Provalytics, to discuss the evolution of marketing in the digital age. Jeff shares how marketers must adapt to the rise of social media and shifting consumer behavior by moving beyond traditional media strategies. He challenges the industry…
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Episode 42: The Unexpected Turns of Life and Business with Sharon Tinberg and Paul Fried
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50:47In this episode, Sharon Tinberg and I get real about the unexpected twists and turns of life and business. We dive deep into Sharon's struggles and triumphs in building her innovative cleaning training software, and Paul Fried introduces his new venture, a platform that helps people plan for the end of their lives. We also share candid reflections …
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Big Swings & Fearlessness: Adam Pener's Entrepreneurial Journey
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47:52In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with 5x Founder Adam Pener, owner of Portland-based venture studio AP Works, to discuss how Adam evaluates risk, why the Founder's vision is key in investment decisions, and the importance of family and mental health for entrepreneurs. Adam shares his journey from nati…
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Episode 41 - From Drafting Board to Dream Business with Kristen Prejean
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31:51In this episode, I chat with the inspiring Kristen Prejean, a former interior designer who traded in her drafting table for a mop and bucket – and never looked back! Kristen shares her incredible journey of building a thriving cleaning business from the ground up. We get real about overcoming self-doubt, embracing the power of community, and discov…
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Welcome to Our Adventure! In This Episode: In the very first episode of Yaya and Libby's Big Heart Adventure, Yaya and Libby introduce themselves and share what this podcast is all about! Here's what you'll hear: Yaya’s exciting trip to Chicago: Seeing the famous Bean sculpture Playing mini-golf and exploring a jungle gym Joining mom and dad at a b…
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Claudia Scott's Secret to Empowering Underserved Entrepreneurs
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38:17Discover Claudia Scott's secret to empowering underserved entrepreneurs on The Shades of Entrepreneurship Podcast. Learn from Claudia Scott of Startup Junkies as she shares valuable insights and strategies for success in the entrepreneurial world. Support the show Subscribe at theshadesofe.comBy Gabriel Flores
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Episode 40: From Cleaning Homes to Cleaning Up the Cleaning Industry with Holly Moore
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53:43In this episode of Fearlessness, Libby sits down with Holly Moore, the founder of Maids & Moore, a wildly successful cleaning company that generates over $8 million in revenue annually. Holly shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from quitting her teaching job to launching her own cleaning business and ultimately developing her own cleaning…
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The Future of Learning: A Conversation with Luis Garcia
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56:49Join us as we explore the future of learning and development with Luis Garcia, founder of Pete.ai. Learn how generative AI is revolutionizing the way organizations create and deliver training materials and assess employee performance. Discover how Pete's innovative platform is helping businesses scale their learning programs and achieve better resu…
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Overcoming Burnout: A Conversation with Dr. Camilla Moore
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48:53Join us as we delve into the world of stress management and burnout prevention with Dr. Camilla Moore. Learn about the SMART program, an evidence-based approach to setting goals and achieving them. Discover how to address burnout in the healthcare industry and how to build a successful business as a niche service provider. Tune in to gain practical…
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Valaurum's Golden Future: A Conversation with Adam Trexler
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52:26Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of gold and technology with Adam Trexler, founder of Valaurum. Learn about the innovative nanotechnology behind The Aurum®, a revolutionary way to store and use gold. Discover the challenges and triumphs of bringing this groundbreaking product to market and the vision for the future of money. Tune in t…
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The Entrepreneurial Mind of Michael Hoffmann: From Rural Iowa to Tech Ventures
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45:22Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Michael Hoffmann, a serial entrepreneur who's carved a unique path from the heartland of America to the tech-driven landscapes of Silicon Valley and Oregon. Discover how Michael transitioned from a humble upbringing on a family farm to exploring the world of startups and passive income streams. Lear…
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