The Entrepreneur Gene

“Passion will continue to drive you forward.” In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, the host welcomes Larry Whiteside Jr., an expert in information security, risk management, and entrepreneurship. Larry discusses his journey from cybersecurity to becoming the Co-Owner of Lifesaver Pool Fence of Tampa and Co-Founder & President of Confide. He emphasizes the importance of passion, operational efficiency, and overcomi...

“Treat people well, work hard, have a plan.” Laurie welcomes Travis Howerton, a technology and security expert with over 25 years of experience. Travis shares his journey from federal service and the nuclear weapons program to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of RegScale. They discuss the entrepreneurial gene, personality assessments in team dynamics, and the challenges of scaling a business. Travis emphasizes the importanc...

“Don't be a jack of all social media sites, master of none.” Laurie interviews digital marketing expert Corey Perlman, Owner of Impact Social. They discuss Corey's entrepreneurial journey influenced by his parents' careers, the evolving landscape of digital marketing, and the role and potential of AI in the industry. Corey shares insights on building and managing successful teams, the importance of focusing on key social m...

“We’re in the business of making people happy.” John and Mark Cronin, a father-son co-founding duo of John’s Crazy Socks join Laurie today to discuss entrepreneurship and inclusion. John and Mark share the inspiring story of their business journey, emphasizing key entrepreneurial insights. They discuss their unique business model, including over half of their employees with differing abilities, and their commitment to spre...

What’s the most important value to have when you’re running your own business? According to Molly McGrath, Founder of Hiring and Empowering Solutions, it’s accountability. Molly shares her unique perspective on the entrepreneur gene, describing it as a desire for control and freedom, stemming from an anti-authoritarian mindset. Molly highlights the importance of teaching employees to be intrapreneurs, involving them in dec...

What does six generations of entrepreneurship get you? Find out in this episode with Jim Haviland, an experienced entrepreneur, Partner and Business Operating System Coach at Impact Architects and Chief Operating Officer at CallPlease. Jim shares his insights on building and exiting organizations, the entrepreneurial gene, and the importance of exit planning. He discusses the significance of having a clear purpose, the nec...

Today’s guest Jennifer Bisceglie, the Founder and Executive Vice Chair of Interos, discusses the concept of identity, both of the business and having one outside of your company. She shares the challenges of managing a business that heavily relies on U.S. federal contracts and navigating rapid administrative changes. Jennifer also talks about the impacts of AI on supply chain risk management, as well as the excitement to c...

What does it take to be an entrepreneur? Christopher Antonopoulos, CEO and Founder of Measured Results Marketing, claims the secret is the genetic propensity and how it combines with environmental factors. Christopher shares anecdotes about his journey from a resourceful childhood selling vegetables to leading a successful marketing firm. He and Laurie also discuss the future of marketing automation, the role of AI, and pr...

What kinds of risks are the ones worth taking when it comes to entrepreneurship? According to Casey Cheshire, the Founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing and the host of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, smart risks are the key to success. Casey shares insights on the importance of risk tolerance, learning from failures, and the need for smart risk-taking in business. They also explore the future of marketing with the ...

Have you ever been thrown into running a business? Matt Chiaradonna, a family business entrepreneur leading JC Fence and Founder of Elite Technique sure has. Matt shares his journey from growing up in a family business, the impact of his father's tragic accident, and his path to operating two successful businesses. He offers advice on developing leaders, balancing legacy, and finding purpose both within and outside the bus...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, Laurie Barkman interviews Pete Schramm, Founder and CEO of Lattitude. A serial entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, and bestselling author of Pathfinders, Pete is on a mission to foster meaningful, sustainable relationships in the workplace. As the founder of Lattitude, he’s cultivating leadership and engagement through career mapping and mentorship software. The episode touches on...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman speaks with Cooper Munroe, CEO of The Motherhood, a leading influencer marketing agency. They delve into Cooper's journey from corporate PR to creating The Motherhood, sparked from a blog post about Hurricane Katrina. Cooper discusses the unique challenges and attributes of women entrepreneurs, the evolution of influencer marketing, and her commitment to paying ...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman reflects on a successful year of launching the show. Laurie expresses gratitude for the entrepreneurial community, her team, family, and friends. She shares valuable lessons learned from various guests, including insights on the entrepreneurial gene, accidental entrepreneurship, and the power of positivity. Looking forward to the new year, she emphasizes the imp...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, Laurie Barkman welcomes Luke Williams, Founder/CEO of IdeaSkills and Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Design at NYU Stern School of Business. They discuss whether entrepreneurship can be taught and delve into the importance of fostering innovative mindsets within established companies. Luke shares insights from his book 'Disrupt' and discusses the balance between main...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful business, her passion for empowering careers for women and mothers, and the unique approach of intrapreneurship. The discussion covers Brea's personal journey, the challenges she faced, the importance of values in business, and the excit...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman interviews Jaclyn Beatty, a seasoned sales professional and Owner/Principal Consultant of Geared for Growth at Sales Xceleration. Jaclyn shares her non-traditional journey to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of the entrepreneurial gene and the belief that entrepreneurs can be made, not just born. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from a co...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, Laurie chats with Harry Haywood, President of HBS Solutions Inc. Harry shares insights on the importance of resilience, creativity, and overcoming criticism. With over 15 years of experience, he discusses the challenges of managing growth, building a strong leadership team, and the significance of time management. Harry also delves into his passion for energy efficiency and the evo...

In today’s episode, Laurie interviews Jessica Kenyon, CEO of The Conafay Group. Jessica shares her thoughts on key entrepreneurial traits like optimism, confidence, and resilience. The discussion covers her unconventional journey to leadership, having a background in archeology and a family of virologists, and how she transitioned into the government relations sector. She also talks about the challenges of succession and l...

Today’s episode showcases Laurie as she interviews Dr. Harry Cohen, President and CEO of Sunny Owl Productions and author of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt.” The conversation starts with discussing the essential traits that differentiate entrepreneurs—such as the ability to tolerate risk and navigate ambiguity. Harry also discusses the significance of instilling an entrepreneurial culture in both large corporations and family-o...