In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Hirad Emadi, co-founder and President of Innovative Construction Solutions. During this engaging conversation, Matt explores the journey of a successful entrepreneur who transitioned from a stable career to launching a thriving business. Hirad highlights the importance of identifying gaps in the market and consistently adding value, which can lead to repeat business and long-term success. You'll discover the dynamics of...

In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Brad Baldridge, certified financial planner, college funding consultant, and chief podcaster at Taming the High Cost of College. Matt and Brad explore the multifaceted process of preparing for an important milestone that affects many families—paying for college. They discuss various strategies and options available to navigate this complex landscape, as well as the importance of understanding different types of support and how...

In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Darton Case, owner and CEO of Dart Appraisal Services. They discuss the challenges and triumphs faced in building a lasting business. Darton offers insights on having a long-term vision, emphasizing how critical it is for entrepreneurs to diversify and not rely too heavily on a single client or market.  You'll discover the evolution of Darton's role from a hands-on entrepreneur to a CEO who empowers his team to take the reins. The...

In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Ryan Coon, entrepreneur and former CEO / co-owner of Avail. Ryan outlines some of the invaluable lessons learned from his early career experiences. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking, particularly how connections made during internships and college can lead to unexpected opportunities later in life. You'll learn about the serendipity of reconnecting with former colleagues and mentors in various...

In this episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Madi McSwain, an insurance agent with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. Madi shares her unique journey and the strategies she has employed to achieve success in her professional life. She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building, strategic planning, and maintaining a customer-focused approach. You'll discover the challenges Madi encountered in her early days starting from scratch, the sacrifices she made, and the relentless...

In this engaging episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by David Renberg, a successful entrepreneur who started his own real estate brokerage at a remarkably young age. Throughout the conversation, David reflects on his journey, offering insights and advice based on his experiences. He shares key moments of growth and realization, touching on topics like work-life balance, team building, and the importance of perspective in handling challenges. You'll take a journey through...

In this engaging episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Mason Lindsay, a promising young entrepreneur, exploring the journey of career discovery and personal growth. Mason reflects on the pressures and misconceptions surrounding the need to determine a lifelong career path early on, contrasting it with the more realistic approach of exploring various opportunities. You'll discover insights on how a mindset of appreciation and gratitude can open doors and create opportunities...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Grace Jones as they discuss her professional journey and the significance of internships and diverse work experiences in shaping her career. She reflects on how college internships, particularly those that allowed her to run her own business, provided her with the freedom and guidance to explore and succeed in the business world. Grace highlights how these opportunities equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate and...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Sishir Reddy, CEO and co-founder of Episource, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges and pivotal moments that shaped his career. Initially inspired by his father's suggestion to explore medical billing, Sishir set out to establish a medical billing outsourcing business in India. With his father's practice as his first client, he learned the intricacies of the industry and gradually built a team,...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Jeff Gunhus, a seasoned entrepreneur, to discuss the concept of excellence and business leadership. Jeff defines excellence as a deliberate choice to pursue the best version of oneself across all life's endeavors, stressing the importance of being both content and driven. Throughout their conversation, Jeff shares insights from his journey of building a successful business empire, emphasizing the pivotal role of making strategic...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by guest Kory Finley, as they focus on Kory's journey to personal and professional excellence. The discussion opens with Kory sharing his definition of excellence as the consistent effort to perform at one's best every day, regardless of the circumstances. Kory narrates his life story, from being a multi-sport athlete in high school to entering the challenging world of business and cattle ranching. He emphasizes the importance of...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Sean Phelps, as they explore the concept of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of gaining practical experiences outside traditional educational pathways. Sean reflects on his journey, highlighting his involvement with College Works, where he developed essential business skills by managing teams and projects while still in college. He shares insights about the value of real-world applications of business concepts,...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Steve Kearley, from Benson Kearley Insurance as they discuss the elements of success, the entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth through business endeavors. Steve shares his journey from selling designer jeans out of his high school locker to becoming a prominent figure in the insurance industry. He emphasizes the significance of self-measurement and personal growth over comparing oneself to others,...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Brett Apel as he shares his journey from a college student to becoming an entrepreneur and business executive. Bret emphasizes the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and pushing boundaries to achieve success. He discusses his initial uncertainty about his career path and how his experience with College Works Painting opened the door to entrepreneurship, teaching him valuable business and life skills. Bret's story is a...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by John Bruckner, a consultant and advisor with a unique blend of legal and financial expertise. John shares his journey from being a finance major to becoming an influential figure in the legal consulting world, emphasizing the importance of being open to opportunities and seeking mentorship. He recounts his decision to pursue law school while working, which ultimately led him to meet Byron McFarland, who played a pivotal role as...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt encourages listeners to engage in the process of brainstorming goals, emphasizing the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals as a fundamental approach to achieving personal aspirations. He illustrates how such goals can transform everyday objectives into actionable plans, offering the example of a fitness goal to lose 30 pounds within a year by going to the gym five days a week and burning...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Gavin Lantzy, CEO of SaaviHome, a company specializing in home technology installation and now venturing into franchising. Gavin discusses the importance of accountability and discipline in achieving business goals, emphasizing a culture of determination where goals are pursued ‘hell or high water.’ He shares his journey from an executive in home entertainment to taking over the family business from his father,...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt shares insightful strategies for navigating the college job search, emphasizing the importance of preparation and strategic application. He begins by advising against starting with the most anticipated interviews, suggesting instead to conduct several "burner interviews" for practice. He underscores the hard work required in job hunting, highlighting the culmination of 18 years of education and the need to put in additional effort to stand...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is by Lisa Merage, the newly named Governor of Portland Thorns FC as she discusses her journey and the underlying beliefs that have guided her career path. She emphasizes the concept of stewardship rather than ownership, reflecting on how her past experiences in various fields have culminated in her current position, where she aims to make a significant impact on women in sports and business. Lisa's story underscores a life dedicated to...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Andrew Dickinson, as he shares the captivating journey of his life, marked by a blend of failures and triumphs that have shaped his unique perspective on success and personal growth. Emphasizing the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, Andrew recounts his experiences of financial ups and downs, underscoring that each setback brought him closer to his goals. His story unfolds from early ambitions of...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Genevieve Elefante-Sigmund, president of Platinum Storage, as she shares her journey and insights into the real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and resilience. Genevieve's philosophy revolves around the joy of the journey rather than the pursuit of material success. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming anxiety and self-doubt, and how these struggles led her to value...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Suraj Akotia, who shares his unique journey from aspiring attorney to becoming a multifaceted corporate counsel and Chief Operating Officer. Suraj discusses the importance of maintaining an open mind and the willingness to undertake various roles beyond his legal expertise. His approach to continuous personal and professional growth, coupled with his ability to deliver value across different facets of the business, underscores...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Joe Clavin, a distinguished financial advisor at Primerica, for an engaging conversation about the intricacies of financial planning and personal growth. Joe opens up about his journey, revealing his initial curiosity about money management and his mission to help people at various stages of financial literacy. From discussing the basics of emergency funds, debt management, and investing, to the nuances of planning for children's...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Jed Rothstein, an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker renowned for his skill in transforming real-life stories into compelling narratives that captivate and enlighten audiences worldwide. From his earliest days, Jed's passion for storytelling through film was evident, drawing inspiration from global hotspots, innovative investigative journeys, and novel explorations of the documentary form. His work reflects a deep...