Beating Up Hockey Players and the Beat-Up of Entrepreneurship with Dave Burnett
Episode 95. We tend to glamorize the entrepreneurs out there. The ones we follow and hear about are usually wildly successful and have made it many times over. But that isn’t quite the story of most business founders.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, hosted by Greg Martin, serial entrepreneur Dave Burnett discusses his multifaceted career. Burnett shares his experiences running a promotional products business and a marketing agency, along with past ventures and key learnings from both successes and failures. The conversation delves into his early days playing junior hockey, his pivot to entrepreneurship following a short-lived hockey career, and his involvement with companies like Achievers. Burnett also offers insights into adapting in the face of technological advancements like AI and maintaining a healthy relationship with money. Key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs include the importance of client feedback, staying updated with trends, especially in digital marketing, and finding balance and support in one’s personal life.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Dave Burnett: Serial Entrepreneur02:06 Dave's Early Life and Hockey Career05:11 First Foray into Business: The Beer Rep08:35 Founding Achievers.com11:44 Promotional Products and Marketing Ventures14:06 Lessons from Entrepreneurship18:59 Navigating Failures and Learning from Mistakes22:39 The Role of AI in Business24:10 AI's Impact on Various Industries25:51 The Journey of AI Adoption27:30 Real Business Impacts of AI28:31 The Role of AI in Content Creation31:04 Encouraging AI Use in Education33:22 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Money42:27 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs46:50 Conclusion and Contact Information
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49:10
Leaving a Career at Google to Find the Missing Dimension of Life with Carolina Lasso
Episode 94. At first the definition of success can seem pretty easy, but over time what success means to each of can change. Sometimes to get it we also have to change the path.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Carolina Lasso, a seasoned marketer with a prominent career at Google. Carolina shares her journey from burning out at Google to discovering her true purpose, which led her to become an author and a purpose coach. They delve into her early career, her experience with mental health challenges, and her subsequent quest for a meaningful life. The conversation covers the concept of success, societal expectations, individual purpose, and the transformative power of helping others. Carolina also discusses her latest book, 'The Purpose Reset,' co-authored with colleagues, and its focus on finding purpose at individual, team, and organizational levels. They wrap up with practical advice on integrating purpose into everyday life and the importance of authentic self-reflection.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Carolina Lasso: From Google to Purpose01:37 Carolina's Journey: From Burnout to Purpose04:07 The Meaning of Success and Personal Fulfillment09:18 The Turning Point: Panic Attacks and Self-Discovery11:54 Writing 'The Purpose Reset' and Its Impact16:31 Purpose in Work and Life: A Balanced Approach23:44 The Helpers High: Why Helping Others Feels Good25:31 Maslow's Hierarchy and Finding Fulfillment27:29 Balancing Corporate Ambitions with Personal Purpose29:08 The Importance of Authentic Living31:24 A Near-Death Experience and Its Lessons34:46 The Power of Reflection and Legacy37:53 Connecting Through Success and Purpose38:46 The Role of Risk in Personal Growth42:45 Final Thoughts and How to Connect
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44:53
Building a 100-Person Agency, Selling It and the Future with John Ghiorso
Episode 93. What’s an agency business and what do you do after building one to 100 people and then selling? Retire?In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews John Ghiorso, founder of Orca Pacific, an Amazon media agency, which he successfully built and sold. John shares his journey from an accidental agency owner to a seasoned entrepreneur now setting up a venture studio model to launch multiple niche-focused marketing agencies. Key topics include the dynamics of running and scaling agencies, the importance of aligning company values, the impact of AI on agency businesses, and strategies for hiring and retaining top talent.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:23 John’s Agency Journey01:30 Understanding the Agency Business03:12 Starting and Scaling an Agency05:28 Retirement and New Ventures08:10 Hiring and Retaining Talent12:32 Company Culture and Values19:12 Deciding to Sell the Business22:09 Personal and Market-Based Reasons for Selling23:01 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Amazon Agencies24:41 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy25:27 The Acquisition Process and Choosing the Right Partner26:49 Life After Acquisition: Working with Media Monks29:11 Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Leadership31:23 Advice for Aspiring Agency Professionals34:32 The Future of Agencies in an AI-Driven World43:31 Key Traits for Successful Agency Leaders46:56 Resources and Final Thoughts
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48:56
Working with Icons and the Power of a Coffee Meeting with Marc Reede
Episode 92. Networking never goes out of style and hasn’t changed, it all can start with a cup of coffee which has certainly helped Marc Reede across his career working with many Hollywood icons.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Marc Reede, a seasoned agent for high-profile motivational speakers and author of the book 'The Coffee Code.' Reed shares his career journey, starting from his law school days to becoming an agent for celebrities like Tom Hanks, Magic Johnson, and Simone Biles. The conversation delves into Marc's techniques and experiences, including the importance of storytelling and making impactful connections through 'coffee meetings.' Reed emphasizes the significance of relationships and being genuinely nice in professional settings. The discussion also highlights Reed’s book 'The Coffee Code,' which offers advice and life hacks for young professionals and those shifting their career paths. The episode provides valuable insights into networking, career development, and the art of motivational speaking.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Marc Reede: Career as a High-Profile Speaker Agent01:06 The Journey from Law School to Lecture Agent02:48 Breaking into the Motivational Speaking Industry04:12 What Makes a Great Speaker?07:53 The Coffee Code: Insights and Inspiration11:50 The Power of Networking and Storytelling27:08 Career Day and Networking Tips36:18 The Importance of Being Nice40:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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41:48
From Big Tech to AI Company Founder with Brooke Hartley Moy
Episode 91. A wealth of experience comes from someone who joined the tech world with experiences at as such places as Google, Slack, Salesforce and most recently Humane. Not surprisingly, the experience eventually leads to becoming a founder herself.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Brooke Hartley Moy, co-founder of the AI startup Infactory. Brooke shares her journey from being a history major with no programming background to co-founding a tech company. The discussion covers her career trajectory, insights on working at major tech companies like Salesforce and Google, and the challenges and benefits of starting her own company. Brooke also explores the future of AI, the importance of soft skills in the tech industry, the complexities of venture capital, and her experiences as a woman in tech. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and the value of personal relationships in career development.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Brooke Hartley Moy01:07 Brooke's Journey into Tech04:05 Breaking into the Industry13:09 Starting Infactory15:42 Challenges of Entrepreneurship17:57 Venture Capital Insights23:53 Women in Tech34:27 AI Optimism and Skepticism40:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals42:32 Conclusion and Farewell
About Lifetime at Work: Finding the Meaning in Our Careers
Your career is more than just a job—it’s a chance to create an impact and find personal fulfillment. This podcast explores the journeys of business leaders, uncovering how work shapes our lives, the world, and what makes a career truly meaningful. Hosted by Greg Martin, a Toronto-based investment banker and M&A advisor, the show dives into the deeper questions behind our careers—why we work, what drives success, and how our professional lives shape the world around us. In an era of AI, career freedom, and globalization, the meaning of work is evolving, leaving many to question its true purpose.Through conversations with founders, business leaders, and investors across private equity, public markets, and venture capital, the podcast uncovers insights from those who have built, grown, and influenced some of North America's most successful companies. It also features advisors, consultants, and investment bankers who help shape the future of business, sharing lessons from their wins, losses, and defining career moments.
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