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 Guest
• 00:23 John’s Agency Journey
• 01:30 Understanding the Agency Business
• 03:12 Starting and Scaling an Agency
• 05:28 Retirement and New Ventures
• 08:10 Hiring and Retaining Talent
• 12:32 Company Culture and Values
• 19:12 Deciding to Sell the Business
• 22:09 Personal and Market-Based Reasons for Selling
• 23:01 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Amazon Agencies
• 24:41 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy
• 25:27 The Acquisition Process and Choosing the Right Partner
• 26:49 Life After Acquisition: Working with Media Monks
• 29:11 Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Leadership
• 31:23 Advice for Aspiring Agency Professionals
• 34:32 The Future of Agencies in an AI-Driven World
• 43:31 Key Traits for Successful Agency Leaders
• 46:56 Resources and Final Thoughts

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 Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Marc Reede: Career as a High-Profile Speaker Agent
• 01:06 The Journey from Law School to Lecture Agent
• 02:48 Breaking into the Motivational Speaking Industry
• 04:12 What Makes a Great Speaker?
• 07:53 The Coffee Code: Insights and Inspiration
• 11:50 The Power of Networking and Storytelling
• 27:08 Career Day and Networking Tips
• 36:18 The Importance of Being Nice
• 40:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Brooke Hartley Moy
• 01:07 Brooke's Journey into Tech
• 04:05 Breaking into the Industry
• 13:09 Starting Infactory
• 15:42 Challenges of Entrepreneurship
• 17:57 Venture Capital Insights
• 23:53 Women in Tech
• 34:27 AI Optimism and Skepticism
• 40:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals
• 42:32 Conclusion and Farewell

Episode 90. Mary Spio has a very impressive background. She’s a rocket scientist who turned to the movie industry to transform how the industry delivered content. She built a virtual reality platform while also working to let content creators better monetize their work. What’s behind all this?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Mary Spio, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Seek (CEEK) - a platform designed to monetize online content. Mary's journey is discussed from her beginnings as an aerospace engineer, working with companies like Boeing to her current endeavors in VR and AI powered content monetization.

They delve into the challenges creators face with free content, the importance of VR in training and education, and how CEEK empowers creators to control and monetize their own data using blockchain technology. The conversation provides insights on the evolution of virtual reality, the future of content monetization, and valuable career advice.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:23 Meet Mary Spio: From Aerospace Engineer to CEEK Founder
• 01:50 Understanding CEEK: A Platform for Content Monetization
• 06:30 Mary's Journey: From Digital Cinema to VR
• 19:05 The Future of VR and Content Monetization
• 36:15 Career Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 40:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode 89. It’s hard to create one successful business, but if you can take what you learn from doing one thing and apply it to another the opportunities are endless. They key: getting really good at one thing.

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews David Steele, a successful restaurateur and founder of One Wealth Advisors. They discuss David's journey from working in the restaurant industry during high school to founding a highly successful restaurant group in San Francisco and a thriving financial planning practice.

Key topics include his love for hospitality, the transition to wealth management, building successful businesses through systematic processes, and career advice for young professionals. David also shares insights on the evolution of the restaurant industry, the impact of the Me Too movement, and the role of technology and AI.

Additionally, David talks about his involvement in other entrepreneurial ventures, including a restaurant company in New York, a rock and roll band management company, and a yoga studio.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet David Steele: Restaurateur and Financial Planner
• 01:16 David's Journey: From Restaurants to Wall Street
• 02:55 The Allure of the Restaurant Industry
• 05:15 Hospitality in Finance: A Unique Perspective
• 07:01 Starting Flour + Water: Challenges and Successes
• 12:16 Universal Business Principles for Success
• 16:21 David's Diverse Ventures and Board Roles
• 18:00 Building Systematic Processes for Success
• 30:23 Empowering Teams and Delegation
• 31:44 The Evolving Restaurant Industry
• 35:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Episode 88. How do you put yourself in the position as a founder to solve a really big and complex problem—while building a great company along the way?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Frank Rohde, founder and CEO of Ownify, about his diverse career in financial services and his mission to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers.

Frank discusses his early life in Germany, his transition from banking and consulting to launching financial startups, and the challenges he faced during the .com bust. He explains the impetus behind Ownify and how the company aims to reduce barriers to homeownership through innovative financing solutions.

The conversation also covers the broader economic factors affecting housing affordability and the balance of creating impactful work that also yields financial returns.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Frank Rohde: From Wharton to Ownify
• 01:06 Frank's Early Life and Career Beginnings
• 02:51 Consulting at Oliver Wyman
• 07:29 The Dot-Com Boom and Bust
• 15:25 Joining FICO and Leveraging Data
• 17:23 Nomis Solutions: Price Optimization in Financial Services
• 21:34 Navigating the Financial Crisis
• 23:13 Reflecting on Career and Future Goals
• 26:15 Identifying the Housing Crisis
• 27:12 The Genesis of Ownify
• 28:07 Economic Factors Affecting Home Ownership
• 30:30 Challenges for First-Time Home Buyers
• 37:45 Ownify’s Innovative Solution
• 46:39 Balancing Financial Return and Impact
• 50:12 Conclusion and Call to Action

Episode 87. Neil Twa has built the type of business that can be repeated again and again. He’s in the world of e-commerce and has lots to share after trying again and again, failing and finding the way.

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Holdings. Neil shares his unconventional career journey, from learning about the internet to having to file for personal bankruptcy for a failed venture to working his way up in the corporate tech world at Sprint and IBM.

Following a personal tragedy, Neil made the leap to entrepreneurship, building a successful e-commerce business through innovative product strategy rather than invention. They discuss the evolution of e-commerce, the importance of automation, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the need for a purpose-driven approach and strategic thinking in building a sustainable and profitable business.

• 00:23 Meet Neil Twa: From Fighter Pilot Dreams to E-commerce Expert
• 01:23 Neil's Early Career and Internet Beginnings
• 04:00 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Early Challenges
• 10:03 The Shift to Affiliate Marketing and E-commerce
• 12:25 Understanding E-commerce and Amazon's Role
• 20:45 The Power of Data and Innovation in E-commerce
• 26:25 Testing the Engine: 18 Months of Discovery
• 26:51 Rapid Brand Launches and Market Domination
• 27:21 Teaching and Scaling: From Employees to Partners
• 28:47 Acquiring and Automating Businesses
• 30:21 Veteran-Focused Business Growth
• 31:28 The High Voltage Business Builders Podcast
• 32:09 Building an Eight-Figure Business Strategy
• 34:21 The Importance of Patience and Realistic Expectations
• 35:06 The Role of the Operator in Business Success
• 45:26 Creating Value and Purpose in Business
• 47:31 Special Offer and Final Thoughts

Episode 86. If we each have 90,000 hours to work in our lives, what’s the best use of this time? What is the best way to balance the “feel good” part of your work with the “making money” park?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin welcomes Georgina Enthoven, a venture capitalist and author of 'Work That's Worth It'. They discuss Georgina's global career experience, the struggle of balancing income with meaningful impact, and the importance of finding a job that aligns with personal values.

Key topics include the effective altruism movement, the societal pressures young professionals face, and strategies for finding fulfilling career paths that combine income and impact. Georgina also shares insights from her book and personal journey, highlighting the need for rewarding career choices that align with both financial and altruistic goals.

The conversation touches on the influence of having children, the role of role models, and provides practical advice for young professionals aiming to make a positive difference in the world through their careers.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Georgina: A Journey Across Continents
• 01:15 Balancing Ambition and Heart in a Career
• 02:11 The Struggle Between Income and Impact
• 03:43 Finding Fulfillment in Meaningful Work
• 05:16 The Importance of Aligning Career with Values
• 08:16 Effective Altruism and Personal Fulfillment
• 10:19 Real-Life Stories of Impactful Careers
• 13:29 Navigating Financial Pressures and Career Choices
• 14:43 The Concept of 'Enough' and Career Satisfaction
• 15:43 Personal Reflections on Career and Impact
• 22:51 Advice for Young Professionals Seeking Impactful Careers
• 23:57 Exploring B Corps and Ethical Companies
• 24:30 Combining Income and Impact in Various Industries
• 24:59 Strategic Career Moves for Greater Impact
• 25:54 Balancing Career and Personal Life
• 31:41 The Role of Financial Security in Career Choices
• 33:32 Elon Musk as a Role Model
• 39:35 Introducing the Book: Work That's Worth It
• 42:22 The Importance of Community and Connections
• 44:40 Podcast and Final Thoughts