Achievers Toolkit Podcast

How to stay positive and motivated throughout your entrepreneurial career.

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the "Achievers Toolkit" podcast, where you'll hear practical knowledge to accelerate your success. Today's interview is with Charles "Charlie" Horowitz, a high-energy septuagenarian with a motivating, positive attitude. You'll be amazed by the many roles Charlie has had over the course of his career. He's been chauffeur, band manager, comedian, hobby store manager, and currently, a hobby wholesaler. Charlie shares the lessons that have contributed to his success, lessons that we all could emulate. Here is Charlie's story.

Powerful lessons to improve your business from Zerlinda Rodriguez of Meticulous Cleaning

Wed, 4 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Top lessons:

You're only as good as your employees.
Make time for yourself. It's important to maintain balance, perspective and to be present.
Accountability partners motivate you to take action…even when you don't want to.
Plus, additional real world insights that will help you grow your business.

3 Key activities for speeding your path to success with Gwen Burlingame, co-founder of Beckon Ice Cream

Mon, 9 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Top Lessons:

Be tenacious in asking for favors. Ride the line between tenacity and overbearing.
Find mentors. It’s more efficient to gather advice than learn on your own.
Maximize your industry’s community. You may be surprised at their willingness to help.

Alan Scharfstein, CEO and Founder of DAK, is interviewed by Daniel Kramer

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the "Achievers Toolkit" podcast, your practical knowledge to accelerate your success. Today's interview is with Alan Scharfstein, the founder and president of the DAK Group, investment bankers to the middle market. Alan is the quintessential entrepreneur willing to pursue a passion and having full faith that things will work out. After graduating from Wharton and working as an employee for two companies, he started DAK in the basement of his home. Married with a young baby, he had no choice but to make things work. He literally picked up the phone, cold-called businesses and asked them a simple but brilliant question, "If I can get you a price that would make you happy, would you be willing to sell your business?" It worked. Today, DAK is 35 years old, has 22 employees, has advised more than 650 mergers and acquisition transactions that are worth $8 billion in deal value. Here is Alan's story and valuable lessons for all entrepreneurs.

Mary Roth, Chief Executive Officer of RIMS, is interviewed by Daniel Kramer

Mon, 9 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the "Achievers Toolkit Podcast," your practical knowledge to accelerate your success. Today's interview is with Mary Roth, Chief Executive Officer of RIMS, the Risk Management Society.

Mary has been a part of RIMS since 1985, and she has been the CEO since 2004. You may not know it or consciously think about it, but risk management is a critical aspect of our economy and society, whether you run a company, a hospital, or a municipality, you have to manage risk.

With a membership of more than 10,000 worldwide, RIMS helps risk managers around the globe in multiple and beneficial ways, including communicating with each other, broadening their knowledge, and gaining skills certification. It's comforting to know that Mary and RIMS are helping professionals make smart risk management decisions. Here is Mary's story.

Harvey Lieberman, Diamond Cutter Extraordinaire, is interviewed by Daniel Kramer

Tue, 3 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to "The Achievers Toolkit" podcast. Hear practical knowledge to accelerate your success. Today's interview is with Harvey Lieberman, a diamond cutter extraordinaire. This is the story of a true artist, one of only a handful in the world. He specializes in cutting rare colored diamonds. Harvey grew up in a very religious household, but rebelled and dreamed of being an actor, perhaps like Dr. Kildare on TV, then his diamond-cutting father offered to mentor him while he waited for his big acting break.

Harvey is still waiting for his acting break, but hear why his lungs may now be worth $1 million and how he's cut many rare and beautiful diamonds that are worth tens of millions of dollars, including a red diamond rumored to be owned by Vladimir Putin. Here is Harvey's fascinating and entertaining story.

Phil Mania, owner of Mania Hair Studio, is interviewed by Daniel Kramer

Sat, 13 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the Achievers Toolkit Podcast: Hear Practical Knowledge to Accelerate Your Success. Today's interview is with Phil Mania, owner of Mania Hair Studio in Park Ridge, New Jersey, an award-winning salon. Phil's story shows the power of a positive spirit and can-do attitude. Tragically, Phil's father passed away when he was just 18. Phil then made a momentous decision to run his father's two-chair barbershop so he could not only support himself but also his mother.

Immediately upon taking over, the two main employees walked out and opened competing businesses. Having never gone to college, Phil dug in and persevered. Today, he has built the salon to a place of great distinction, having won the Best of Bergen Award several times. He now has over 40 employees, several of whom have been with him for decades. He has done it all while being humble, fully focused on his staff and clients, and listening to the lessons he learned from his father. Here is Phil's story.

Ron Gold, CEO of LeanOnWe, is interviewed by Daniel Kramer

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to "The Achievers Toolkit" podcast, hear practical knowledge to accelerate your success. Today's interview is with Ron Gold, the founder and CEO of LeanOnWe, which is the trusted way to hire a caregiver on your own. Ron's story is one of amazing resiliency, and the power of having a can-do spirit. Ron was in lower Manhattan on September 11th, he survived the collapse of Lehman Brothers during the 2008 financial crisis, and he survived the experience that had the most dramatic impact on his life, getting hit head-on by a car while riding his bicycle. Here is Ron's story.