From Rock Bottom to CEO: Be Better, Not Bitter | Michael Kurland | Unfinished Business Podcast

What do you do when your life collapses all at once: your job, your marriage, your sense of direction? If you’re Michael Kurland, you pack your car, drive across the country, and build something better. In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with the CEO and Founder of Branded Group, Inc., to talk resilience, reinvention, and why leading with purpose is more than a catchphrase.

Michael opens up about the real story behind his book Broken to Better, the moment he lost it all, and how the mantra "Be Better" became the foundation for a thriving business, national recognition, and a better life. From the hard lessons of scaling, hiring, and pivoting, to building a team culture that actually works, this one’s for the leaders doing it the hard way, and doing it right.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Be better, not bitter – How Michael turned personal and professional collapse into a launchpad.
• People > Profit – Why investing in your team first drives long-term revenue and retention.
• Growth isn’t glamorous – Real talk about risk, burnout, and knowing when to walk away from a million-dollar client.

🎙️ Podcast Quote: "You can be a victim or a victor, be a victor." – Michael Kurland

 

🚀 This episode is your reminder that your story isn’t over—it’s just being rewritten. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe to Unfinished Business for more no-BS stories of growth, leadership, and resilience.

 

Connect with Michael Kurland:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekurland/ 
• Website: https://www.michaelkurland.co 
• Book: Broken to Better – Available on Amazon
• Company: https://www.branded-group.com

 

Connect with David Sliman

• Website: http://salesproformance.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/
• Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformance 
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SalesProformancePCS

• Email: [e-mail] 

 

This episode is brought to you by Unfinished Business, where we dive deep into the journeys of people who are reshaping what success looks like. Make sure to tune in for more episodes that’ll inspire your own entrepreneurial path!

Developed by Titan Media Worx – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow! Visit our website: https://titanmediaworx.com/ 

 

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