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Pete Ozolin; Peter@achieve-one.com

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“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Dood Woof CEO, Elina Panteleyeva explains how she went from being fired to starting a company that generated 650K in its first year and is on target to more than double sales in 2025Intro: I have always believed in learning from entrepreneurs younger than myself, which seems to be happening more and more these days, and this episode with Elina Panteleyeva is no exception. It's too easy, as an experienced entrepreneur, to think that you have many of the answers. In today's fast-moving waters with AI start-ups and new methods to reach your audience, I find myself at a disadvantage on some fronts. However, entrepreneurs like Elina make the murky waters a bit clearer. After being let go from her job at an AI company, Elina decided to take the...2025-04-2844 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -Chris and Jeremy, founders of 10 Barrel Brewing Co, which they built and guided to a successful exit to Anheuser-Busch in 2014, share the ups and downs of that journey and what followedIntro: I have had the pleasure of interviewing several individuals who have built great companies (Hydro Flask, G5, Cairn, Walker Tracker, etc.) in my hometown (I still see it as a town, despite the significant growth), Bend, OR. Most recently, I sat down with two other well-known businessbuilders, Chris and Jeremy Cox, the brothers best known for starting the brewing company 10 Barrel Brewing Co. With a lucrative exit to Anheuser-Busch in 2014, which could have allowed them to sail off into the sunset, the Cox brothers continued to invest in and give back to the communitythat supported their efforts for...2025-04-091h 07“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesChrista King, a two-time startup founder, and I dive deep into failure and explore where to find the fortitude and drive to start againIntro: I was joined by Christa King. Christa has over 30 years of experience in pioneering commercial strategy in hospitality, launching and executing high-impact revenue strategies for some of the world’s most iconic hospitalitybrands—including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International, Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and Noble House Hotels & Resorts. Christa later ventured into Fitlandia, a wellness platform for the hospitality industry, which she ultimately decided to shut down. As folks are aware, we spend a lot of time on the Bending Rules Podcast sharing stories of entrepreneurs who have built companies and found meaningful exits. While we do on the...2025-03-0753 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules | Michael Ulin, Co-Founder of Paxton AI, a legal technology company that recently closed a $22 million Series A, shares his journey into entrepreneurship and how it led him to Paxton AIIntro: Chris Capdevila and I were joined today by Michael Ulin, most recently a Co-founder of Paxton.AI, a legal technology firm designed to transform the legal landscape with state-of-the-art generative AI tools that expedite and simplify legal research, contract drafting, and review. Paxton AI just closed a 22M Series A financing lead by Unusual Ventures.After graduating from Emory University, Michael embarked on a journey that would take him far beyond the confines of his small-town upbringing. His career began at McKinsey & Company, where he met his future co-founder, Tanguy Chau. This pivotal connection would later...2025-02-2756 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules - Mark Josephson, former CEO of Bitly and later founder of Castiron, discusses the trade-offs in hiring an outside CEO versus navigating the journey as a founding CEOIntro: One challenge in growing a company, especially as a first-time entrepreneur, is answering the question, “Am I the right person for the CEO job at this time?” I’d say that in the VC world, there’s a bias toward having a founder continue in the capacity of CEO. But what if that founder isn’t gaining investment traction or lacks industry expertise? In my first start-up, when I was twenty-six, the ultimate answer to that question was “no.” It took me two years to figure that out, and I have zero regrets about having brought on a CEO, which ult...2025-01-2759 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesRob Little, CEO of Cairn, a company he co-founded in 2014 and acquired by Outside Magazine in 2021..Intro: Rob Little, former CEO and Co-Founder of Cairn—a discovery platform founded in 2014 and acquired by Outside Magazine in 2021—joins Bending Rules to share his journey into entrepreneurship and the eventual founding of Cairn. As one might expect, the path wasn’t linear. Once an aeronautical engineer with Lockheed Martin and a newly minted graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School (MBA), Rob had numerous options. However, he chose to venture across the country to the northwest and pursue the entrepreneurial path, co-founding Cairn, a company that eventually connected thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to the late...2024-12-201h 02“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules - Dan Hobin, Founder/Former CEO of G5, one of Oregon's most successful SaaS companies in the last couple of decades, employing ~250 people when acquired in 2021Intro: Dan Hobin’s name is synonymous with entrepreneurship in the state of Oregon. He first gained recognition as the co-founder and CEO of G5, a SaaS company he led to become one of Oregon’s most successful software companies over the last decade. During his tenure, G5 was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private U.S. companies and by Deloitte as one of North America’s fastest-growing technology companies. From bootstrapping for five years to securing a minority equity round, later a majority equity round, and ultimately an acquisition by RealPage in 2021, Dan an...2024-12-051h 11“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Alan Rich, most recently Founder and CEO of Chrome River, a company that was acquired for 520M in 2019, shares his journey and what keeps him inspired to keep creating companies.Intro: Alan Rich, a lifelong entrepreneur, is likely best known as the former Founder and CEO of Elite Information Systems, a company that was acquired by Thomson Reuters, as well as later being a Founder and CEO of Chrome River, which was acquired by Emburse in a transaction valued at approximately $520 million. He has now found a way to come full circle in his experience as a company builder, which started with him working side by side with his father. Today, he’s the CEO of Y Meadows, a company that not only delivers an AI-driven solution to customer su...2024-11-211h 00“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesScott Allan, CEO of Hydro Flask, a consumer product company that he guided from $2 million in sales to $100 million in a four-year period (2012-2016), is a story worth telling.Intro: Scott Allan, Former CEO of Hydro Flask, a consumer product company that he guided from $2 million in sales to $100 million in a four-year period (2012-2016), is a story worth telling. Many aspects of Scott’s and his team’s journey are obviously impressive, but what I enjoyed most was his candor about the challenges, if not failures, he faced along the way. His background as a technology executive, where he spent most of his professionalcareer, was relevant to Hydro Flask’s success, if not an advantage in running a consumer product company. In March 2016, Helen of Troy Limited purcha...2024-11-071h 31“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Monica Enand, CEO & Founder of Zapproved, shares her incredible and inspiring journey, including growing a company to 170 employees, and navigating the company to an exit in 2023Intro: It’s not every day you have a chance to interview someone who was a successful start-up founder and, initially in her words, “a stay-at-home mom” who was bored. She went on to discover a product category where her domain expertise was limited, led a minority equity round with a private equity firm(K1), took on a majority equity partner (Vista Equity Partners), and later guided the exit to a strategic buyer in 2023. Well, Monica Enand did just that, all while growing the company she founded, Zapproved, to approximately 170 employees, earning recognition more than once as one of the to...2024-10-291h 08“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules - Taylor Welsh joins as employee #1, several years later assumes the CEO position and leads company to a successful exit in 2022. She's now onto her next exciting start-up.Intro:  Taylor Welsh joined Walker Tracker as employee #1, several years later she was elevated into the CEO role by the founder. From there, Taylor successfully grew the business and navigated the company to a successful exit in 2022.  Taylor has quality that I like to see in entrepreneurs and as a former guest, Bayard Fox, referred to as a “quite confidence” about her. Taylor shares in her journey the ups and downs of entrepreneurism, including how to confront burn-out when one thinks they are immune to that possibility.   Finally, she shares with us the most recent start-up she is joining as COO, S...2024-10-221h 06“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules - joined by "solopreneur" Reynolds Maxwell, a successful commercial real estate investor, shares journey from Corp America into solo entrepreneurship vs joining a smaller co or start-upIntro: Entrepreneurship is not a "one size fits all" type of endeavor. I have always been fascinated why some people want to build companies and others are more comfortable operating alone. What characteristics make you more inclined one way or another? From Reynolds we learn that teamwork and a reliable network of partners is still vital whether you are a company builder or solopreneur. In either case, one can achieve balance and financial freedom. 1:29 -- Reynold's early career and drive to transition to entrepreneurship 8:02 -- Setting goals to achieve financial independence 2024-10-141h 15“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- from a team that raised 36M in a funding round, to boot-strapping his next venture, Nick McEvily doesn't sit stillIntro: Nick was fortunate to cross paths early in his career and become a co-founder of a team where Mark Cuban participated in a large financing round. Having said that, Nick's experience taught him that raising the money isn't the goal, it's building a sustainable business. Further, my interview with Nick confirms that if a founder leans into their strength(s) (be it sales, operations, product, etc.) and, if one can find complimentary skill sets he/she can be successful across a multitude of industries. Finally, since he's now seeding his next company, and deciding to take a more...2024-10-101h 04“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules - Dan O'Day leaves Thompson Reuters to start ECFX, 5 years later the business is thriving; learn more about raising money, earning a customer's trust and jumping in with both feetIntro: It’s never too late to start a company, but in some ways it’s likely more difficult the longer one waits to take the proverbial jump, especially in the event you reach the “golden handcuff” stage as our guest, Dan O’Day, did when he became a VP at Thomson Reuters (TR), where he spent the better part of twelve years.  TR, for those that aren’t as familiar with, is a company with a global presence and over 25,000 employees, and as of September 2024 was the 250th most valuable company in the world by market cap.  However, those circumst...2024-09-241h 08“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesKyle Morris, Special Forces Army Ranger - blending life experiences to gain confidence in launching a start-upShort: tricky part of first-time entrepreneurs is having enough experience to gain confidence in launching a start-up when haven't done before. You can access the full interview on podcast channel.2024-09-2000 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesJeff M - Being inquisitive - a trait that foreshadows successThis is a short from conversation with successful real estate entrepreneur and developer Jeff Meghy.2024-09-1601 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules Trailer It is difficult to choose the entrepreneurial and risk-taking path. I made that decision, and, after a lot of mistakes I found a balanced life without having to compromise other needs, such as family, friends and health (most of the time), and, I believe you can do so as well. This podcast will focus on lessons and experiences of successful (and sometimes not so successful) entrepreneurs and risk takers that have endured along their journeys and found positive outcomes, with the hope of helping you find the best path for yourself. 2024-09-1201 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Learn how Special Forces Army Ranger, Kyle Morris, leverages his military experience to build a successful services/software company Intro: The path to entrepreneurship comes in all shapes and sizes. That's why when I had a chance to interview Kyle Morris, Special Forces Army Ranger (retd), now a successful entrepreneur (recently realizing an "exit" in 2023 with his start-up), I knew I was in for an engaging dialogue. Translating what he learned from his time in the armed services to the corporate/start-up world was inspiring, to say the least. While his military background proved valuable, especially, imho, as it applied to Kyle's mindset when starting a company, he also felt that the former special...2024-09-091h 06“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Learn how Special Forces Army Ranger, Kyle Morris, leverages his military experience to build a successful services/software companyIntro: The path to entrepreneurship comes in all shapes and sizes. That's why when I had a chance to interview Kyle Morris, Special Forces Army Ranger (retd), now a successful entrepreneur (recently realizing an "exit" in 2023 with his start-up), I knew I was in for an engaging dialogue. Translating what he learned from his time in the armed services to the corporate/start-up world was inspiring, to say the least. While his military background proved valuable, especially, imho, as it applied to Kyle's mindset when starting a company, he also felt that the former special forces operators...2024-09-071h 06“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Gabe Ayers, founder of Apricity, bootstrapped his services company that eventually pivots to a product offering, which ultimately finds a successful exit.Intro: We all have heard war stories on starting companies, but it's even tougher (on some level) if you have take on all the risk yourself. That's what Gabe Ayers did when he bootstrapped Apricity from a company of one (1) to a company of twenty-five (25), before ultimately realizing his exit. Gabe shares how from a young age he connected "ideas" to product/revenue, including at the young age of fifteen (15) when he founded a web services company that helped finance his college education. Everyone can expect to be aided by luck and perhaps unknown forces...2024-08-091h 23“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Patrick Davidson, Oracle Executive joins to share stories of being an "intrapreneur" and eventually an entrepreneur as wellIntro: I was happy to have Patrick join to discuss what it means to be an "intrapreneur" at a company as large as Oracle. Patrick is on his second or third stint with Oracle, having left a time or two to start various companies and pursue his other passion of building a real estate portfolio, etc. This episode was a bit emotional for me, Patrick is a long-time friend and in the last couple of years suffered a serious physical injury while hunting that has sent him searching for recovery, purpose and balance again. An episode that touches on...2024-07-161h 29“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Justin Johnson joins BR today. Learn why Justin left a 20 year professional services career, a year way from sabbatical, to launch his first start up.Intro: I am sure more than once many of you have sat behind your comfortable corporate environment and thought "is now the time to take a leap of faith?" Well, Justin Johnson did just that. After a 20 year career in professional services, the last 7 which were at Frank Russell Company and only a year away from a paid sabbatical, Justin decided to launch his start-up, which was successfully acquired 7 years later, he's now onto start-up 3 and 4. It sounds risky, and it was, but one of my main takeaways today was how Justin "de-risked" his launch into the start-up world...2024-06-081h 22“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Ian Olsen, Restaurant Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Lemonade, a 50M+ in annual sales restaurant chain shares his journey with Pete and ChrisIntro: We have all had a great idea for a restaurant at some point, right? Well, Ian picked his spots to invest and start new brands and restaurant concepts over the past 20 years with some great results, including the co-founding of Lemonade, a California based restaurant chain that expanded internationally, including a restaurant in Dubai. Whether you are aspiring to be a restaurateur or not, Ian is a great story teller and imparts many valuable lessons if you are an aspiring entrepreneur in any industry. 3:23 -- The beginnings, Ian's foray into a burgeoning pizza...2024-05-231h 31“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBENDing Rules -- Today we break down the last 4-5 guest and look for patterns on what they had to share. Further, answer work-life-balance questions, like are entreps more happy than non-entreps?Intro: While it's great to have so many interviews with entrepreneurs, Eric and I thought it might be good to look back and summarize the last 4-5 guest on the podcast. Where do we see patterns? What's unique to each personality and/or journey? We are calling the "break-out" session and hope to do some of this reflecting/summarizing from time-to-time. 2:00 -- Who should be included in the definition of an entrepreneur? 4:17 -- Main takeaways from previous interviews 11:16 -- Patterns and traits of successful entrepreneurs 23:01 -- Why optimism matters 31:52 -- Are entrepreneurs more happy that non-entrepreneurs (employees), generally speaking? 36:25...2024-05-171h 08“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Entrepreneur Chris Capdevila joins to discuss his journey immigrating from Argentina to U.S. and then to the founding of a company that was later acquired by OracleChris Capdevila joins and shares his upbringing and journey into entrepreneurship and ultimate founding of a company that was acquired by Oracle. I felt like we only scratched the surface with Chris, and look forward to having him join another time. 4:06 -- Role of failure 8:56 -- Role of risk taking, what drove Chris to take a risk and start a company 13:14 -- How upbringing & experience shaped Chris' mindset 23:12 -- Foreshadowing the need for a solution and getting in front...2024-05-091h 10“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Joined by John Kelly, former business owner, real estate investor, and world traveler shares his journey - lesson's learnedEntrepreneur John Kelly joins Pete & Eric to share his path to financial independence and perspectives on running a small business, selling it, transitioning careers. In this casual conversation, I walked away with some nuggets of information that the younger me/entrepreneur would have benefited from -- one in particular was understanding the "motive" of everyone involved in a transaction and/or business deal. Had I had the mindset earlier, I would have avoided some pitfall. Enjoy. 2:00 -- Is a "chip" on the shoulder necessary. Last week Bayard Fox shared that it was "not." I...2024-04-281h 23“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Bayard Fox owner of Cement Elegance joins Pete & EricIntro: Bayard Fox owner of Cement Elegance joins Pete Ozolin & Eric Staley to talk about his entrepreneurial journey and the characteristics he fell back on to build a successful manufacturing company. Great story of perseverance. 3:30 -- Role of "fear" in being an entrepreneur 11:36 -- Business Partners, how an early failure with a business partner shaped his future decisions and success 21:00 -- The story of risk, getting that initial client, etc. 38:34 -- Story of Cement Elegance, buying a business with...2024-04-181h 21“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules"Bend"ing Rules -- Eric & Pete are joined by Jeff Megy, lifelong entrepreneur and owner of two real estate development companies employing 100s+.2:22 -- Jeff shares lessons in RE and buying first house for $28,000 on seller contract and how from there he built a successful real estate development firm. We couldn't possibly cover everything in an hour to encapsulate Jeff's 30+ real estate development career, but Jeff imparts several insights to help any entrepreneur making the proverbial leap of faith. 7:38 -- Role of mentors and inflection points. 10:26 -- The importance of an inquisitive mind. 25:22 -- Family dynamics and impact on entrepreneurial journey. 41:31...2024-04-061h 18“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Entrepreneurs Pete & Eric talk about strategies to finance and importance of "seed" capital and various options to attainProbably one of the most difficult aspects of starting a company is financing, and depending on your options and choices will make or break your success. Pete & Eric took very different approaches to "seed" capital. In this episode they will explore the various trade-offs in doing so. 2:00 -- Seed Capital Intro; value of $$, pitfalls, trade-offs with debt and equity. We'll open with Eric's story and how he build on his initial investment decision. 7:08 -- Role of leverage and risk tolerance 25:03 -- Challenge of raising...2024-03-221h 35“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Entrepreneurs Eric & Pete cover importance of financing - seed capital, debt, bootstrap. How to make it happen and what investors look for.Raising money -- whether equity or debt, could be the lifeblood of your company. Which route should you go? Eric and Pete offer different perspectives on utilizing "seed" capital to get off the ground. 2:00 -- Importance of Seed Capital - Ptifals; value of investment, sources, trade-offs with equity, personal burn rate and more. 7:08 -- Role of Leverage and Risk Tolerance 25:03 -- Challenge of raising seed capital 30:13 -- Importance of personal investment; what investors look for 2024-03-211h 35“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesEric S and Pete O, entrepreneurs sharing insights on burn-out, balance, the importance of having a "chip" on one's shoulder, etc. 1:00: Discussion of David Goggins - Navy Seal, Ultra Runner. Extreme accomplishments and what can we learn? What to emulate, if anything? 4:21: When does "balance" become a part of the entrepreneurial journey? 7:06: The drive to prove something. How big should the "chip" on your shoulder be? 25:25: Pattern Recognition and Burn-out 38:59: When starting a company is like getting up behind a slow water ski-boat on one ski — It's going to happen, but you are likely to...2024-03-071h 03“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBENDing Rules -- Eric S and Pete O, successful entrepreneurs sharing insights on burn-out, balance, the importance of having a "chip" on one's shoulder, etc.1:00: Discussion of David Goggins - Navy Seal, Ultra Runner. Extreme accomplishments and what can we learn? What to emulate, if anything? 4:21: When does "balance" become a part of the entrepreneurial journey 7:06: The drive to prove something. How big should the "chip" on your shoulder be? 25:25: Pattern Recognition and Burn-out 38:59: What starting a company is like getting up behind a slow water ski-boat on one ski. It's going to happen, but you are likely to suffer along the way. 2024-03-071h 03“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBENDing Rules -- Eric Staley, Successful Real-Estate Entrepreneur Joins As Co-Host; We share our stories of how we found success and the choices and traits that were necessary for that to happenEric and I have know each other for almost two decades, what started out as friendship built around our passion of "playing volleyball," transcended into discussions about our business interest (only about 10-15 years later) and life. While we both have achieved financial independence, we did so in different fields and careers. I have been talking with Eric about being a co-host on this podcast because in many ways his success represents the American Dream, which both of us believe is still attainable, however it is you define this dream. Eric and I decided...2024-02-211h 13“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM --- Weight loss drug co, one of Europe's biggest? Is the Border Security deal good enough? Anti-cancer living; All-In Podcast Dig....2:44 --- Weight Loss Drug Company, one of Europe's biggest companies, is this a good thing? 8:09 --- Is the border security bill adequate, then why isn't it passing and who is to blame? 14:16 --- Anti-cancer living, better to start sooner rather than later. 30:02 --- All-In-Dig and more... Next week: Are DEI initiatives walking a fine line with discrimination? Culture of negativity, and what can we do about it... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod...2024-02-0732 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBending Rules -- Why do we become "less" happy as we near middle-age and what can we do about it?Only one topic this week, focusing on a society/cultural issue that I indicated would like to cover from time-to-time. That is, data suggest as we near middle-age we become less happy, peaking in "unhappiness" in our 50s. Why? And, what can we do about it? P.S. Apologies, but video did not upload properly when recorded on Tuesday. 2024-02-0236 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- Recent data suggest we become "less" happy with unhappiness peaking in our 50s, why? And, what can we do about it?LRM --- One topic today: why are we "less" happy the older we get (that is until 60s or 70s)? And, is there anything we can do about it. * From time-to-time, we'll be exploring "cultural" and "societal" issues that impact us all.2024-01-3136 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- are proud boys decline or growing? Bill Gates supports a Billionaire Tax. Is a Ukraine compromise close? All-In Dig.... Commercial Debt update, China land ownership update, etc.1:51 --- Is Proud Boys (Alt Right) group growing or declining? What are the implications? 10:05 --- Billionaires are asking to be taxed, why? 15:47 ---- Ukraine funding compromise, are we close? 18:57 ---- All-In Dig 23:41 --- Desantis out, endorses Trump (who if wins nomination is in a class of "few") 29:03 ---- Domestic catch-up: commerical RE debt bubble, foreign land ownership Next week --- will retail tenants ever come back to cities? What...2024-01-2335 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- California approves Billionaire Tax - good thing? Is the rise of Nikki Hailey real? Ukraine war support waning? All-In Dig, no wait All-In Prop!2:10 --- California Wealth Tax -- a good thing? 11:39 -- The rise of Nikki Hailey? Hold on now. 16:32 -- Is support for Ukraine War really waning? 26:02 -- All-In Dig, no wait, All-In Prop? 30:22 -- 1/5th of Commercial Real Estate sits vacant. Should we be nervous? 33:41 -- Next week: Rise & Fall of Proud Boys and more....2024-01-1733 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- Do we trust each other and our Government? When Presidents appoint judges, does it matter in outcomes? Should we use seized Russian Money to rebuild Ukraine? PE Investment trending down again?1:01 -- Do we trust each other and Government? 5:48 -- Which recent Presidents appointed judges and across which courts? Should we care? What are implications? 15:56 -- Should we use Russian Money to rebuild Ukraine? 20:47 -- Weekly "All-In" Dig 26:42 -- What the downward trend in private equity investment means for small business? 34:12 -- Is violent crime down? A bursting bubble? More entrepreneurs? 39:20 -- NEXT WEEK we look to cover: Is the...2024-01-1042 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- How much U.S. agricultural land does China own? Fewer people posting on social media. More groups launching efforts to lower temperature in U.S. Politics...* Note, apologize for one problem presenting images (slide show didn't translate, will correct next time:)). 1:00 -- My mission: 1) reach growing population of independent voters and thinkers; 2) engage in dialogue over a cup of coffee and be willing to learn and change perspective; 3) unpack issues and challenges facing small business and to to collectively find ways to enable them to be more successful 3:30 -- Weekly "All-In" Podcast Dig. Why do we need to generalize "Democrats" vs. "Republicans?" Is Colorado Supreme Court decision to remove Trump from ballot really a political...2024-01-0338 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM -- Are Republicans right in holding up funding to Ukraine? Will Trump really be removed from CO Ballot? Who would you say is more like a mob boss-- Biden vs Trump?00:26 -- Are Republicans right in holding up aid to Ukraine? 1:24 -- Military Spending as a % of budget 9:31 -- All-In Dig. Who acts more like a bully (intimidation/threats)? Trump or Biden? 18:40 -- CO Supreme Court. Will barring Trump from ballot hold up? Will the "originalist" stay true to their interpretive bias? 25:00 -- Finally, some polls that measure likely success of GOP candidates (other than Trump) versus Biden? Who would be the favorite? 33:00 -- wrap and next week...2023-12-2736 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLRM (Left Right Middle) -- Independent Voter Growth, Increasing taxes on the top 1%, NCAA proposal to pay athletes, Ivy Leagues and free speech037: The growing demographic of independent voters; prevailing trends 7:16: Show we be taxing the top 1% more? - 13:30: 1% holdings by asses class (RE, Stocks, etc.) 22:45: Republican Primary Debate (quick takes) 27:16: Weekly All-In Dig 30:01: NCAA considers paying athletes 34:07: Ivy League an not so "free" speech 40:52: Small Business: Top Challenges in 2023 45:22: Economy and obscure facts2023-12-1248 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLeft Right Middle -- A nation moving apart? Settler Colonialism. Carbon credits (reason for hope). Mixed signals in economy. China investment Down. Weekly Dig on "All-In Podcast"** Please note correction minute 9:46 it should state "Osama Bin Laden" vs "Obama" (inadvertent, my apologies). A podcast dedicated to growing the "middle" and/or independent voters and thinkers. This week's episode notes: 2:27 A Nation Moving Apart 8:37 Settler Colonialism -- can we reverse thinking? 13:47 Carbon Credits -- a reason for hope 20:27 Economy -- record number of Nasdaq stocks under $1; new job openings down; housing up, but supply constrained 27:35 Foreign Investment...2023-12-0640 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesLeft Right Middle -- Ukraine, Economy Maryanne Trump Death, etc.Does character matter when electing a President? How much credit can consumers handle? Silicon Valley -- why are so many Unicorns imploding? Immigration -- whose to blame? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendingrules/message2023-11-2937 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing Rules-- let's get rolling (inaugural episode)This is a podcast that is committed to discussing current events, politics, market and economic issues from a perspective of the left, right & middle viewpoints. The objective of this podcast is to appeal to logic and people at least open to changing their minds and seeing a viewpoint from all perspectives. Disclaimer -- there will be times when the podcast author has vert strong opinions:) I can be reached at @ozolincomments (Twitter) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendingrules/message2023-11-2913 min“Bend”ing Rules“Bend”ing RulesBENDing RulesAt about 18yrs old you start making your own decisions, the choices are daunting and often there is a void if meaningful advice and direction. If you are lucky, you’ll figure some things out by 35 or 40 if it’s not too late to shift gears. I have been an entrepreneur all my adult life, nothing unusual about that. I live in a relatively small town in Oregon, the city of Bend. I am lucky to have found success in a holistic way, maintaining a commitment to things I care about beyond work- family, friends, travels, hobbies, charity and so f...2023-11-2801 minThe Shark EffectThe Shark Effect#151: Being proactive in the recruiting process (for athletes) | Scott Petersen & Pete OzolinScott Petersen, Founder and President of Proactive Athletes, brings to the table over 32 years of marketing expertise and a passion for helping student-athletes fulfill their dreams. His mission with Proactive Athletes originated from a personal journey with his son’s athletic recruitment. Despite hiring six well-known brands in the recruiting world, his son had no offers or scholarships as he entered his senior year of high school. Fueled by a steadfast belief in his son’s potential and his own marketing acumen, Scott took the recruitment process into his own hands.The results were nothing short of extr...2023-08-0839 min