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

Episode 85. Finding a fast growing business that is ready to grow like a rocket is tough, but we’ve all heard the stories of employees who join early and cash-in big with stock options on an exit. The nuances behind finding, nurturing and growing those companies is hard. Sometimes the great ideas with lots of momentum go to zero.

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Nahed Khairallah, an HR expert and former founder who has worked with over 100 companies. Karela shares his unique journey from IT to HR, driven by curiosity about why successful companies fail.

They discuss the common pitfalls of scaling startups, particularly issues with founders hoarding work and rapid, unmanaged hiring. Karela offers insights into identifying when to hire, fixing internal processes first, and engaging employees in the company’s vision. Learn valuable lessons on building strong organizational infrastructure and the importance of effective communication from an HR professional who emphasizes process improvement over immediate hiring.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Nahed Khairallah: HR Expert and Founder
• 01:20 Nahed's Journey into HR
• 03:39 Pro Bono Work and Building Expertise
• 11:42 Scaling Companies: Common Challenges
• 15:51 Identifying a Good Place to Work
• 21:21 Hiring the Right People for Startups
• 26:09 Hiring the Right People: Key Strategies
• 27:09 Addressing Internal Issues: A Case Study
• 34:58 Transforming Company Culture
• 42:14 The Role of HR in Scaling Startups
• 43:37 Podcast Insights and Common Themes
• 48:10 Connecting with the Podcast Host

Episode 84. M&A is an ever evolving world that we can always keep learning from. It’s a world based on relationships, but technology is creeping in more and more leaving lots to discuss with two M&A junkies.

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host and M&A advisor himself Greg Martin interviews Kison Patel, founder and CEO of the M&A software tool, DealRoom, and host of the podcast M&A Science.

Patel shares his journey from working as an M&A advisor to transitioning into technology. They discuss the inception of DealRoom and the challenges faced in its early days, the trends and future of the M&A industry, and the benefits of integrating software tools in M&A processes. The conversation also touches on Patel's philosophies on entrepreneurship, the importance of customer feedback, and the strategic use of AI in improving efficiency.

This episode provides valuable insights for M&A professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and business.

• 00:00 Introduction to Lifetime at Work Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Kison Patel: M&A Expert and Entrepreneur
• 01:08 Kison's Journey from M&A Advisor to Tech Founder
• 02:06 The Birth and Growth of Deal Room
• 03:47 Challenges and Lessons in Entrepreneurship
• 06:47 The Role of Technology in M&A
• 12:41 Insights from M&A Science Podcast and Agile M&A Book
• 22:08 Balancing Multiple Roles and Continuous Learning
• 28:41 Advice for Aspiring Professionals and Entrepreneurs
• 38:27 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Episode 83. Pursuing a passion is common career advice we all hear, but is it good advice we should be preaching?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Drew Ingle, author of 'Pride Over Passion: Five Rules to Career Satisfaction.' The conversation delves into Drew's journey of finding a satisfying and enjoyable career, which he subsequently chronicled in his book.

They discuss the impact of upbringing on career drive, the importance of balancing passion and skill, and the role of failure and relationships in professional development. Drew also shares his experiences moving through different career phases, including his insights on the significance of continuous learning and emotional intelligence. This episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone navigating their career path, especially those entering the workforce.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Drew Ingle: Author of Pride Over Passion
• 00:53 Drew's Early Career Journey
• 05:23 The Impact of COVID and Writing a Book
• 06:38 The Reality of Following Your Passion
• 09:21 Balancing Passion and Skills
• 14:06 Lessons from Football
• 19:08 Finding Your North Star
• 24:10 Choosing Career Paths: Money vs. Happiness
• 25:38 Embracing Failure: Emotional Intelligence
• 27:40 Teaching Kids About Failure
• 34:44 The Importance of Relationships in Career
• 41:01 Writing and Publishing a Book
• 42:40 Pride Over Passion: Key Takeaways
• 45:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode 82. Some of the most important things to us are relationships and family. Winning at both can mean the difference between success or struggle.

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Casey Jacox, a keynote speaker, consultant for sales leaders, and host of the podcast Quarterback Dadcast.

Jacox discusses his career transition from a successful sales executive at Kforce to writing "Win the Relationship, Not the Deal," and becoming an executive coach. The conversation delves into the dual themes of balancing fatherhood with professional life and building meaningful relationships in sales.

Casey shares insights on embracing vulnerability, the importance of emotional intelligence in career growth, and practical tips for being present as a dad. He also offers anecdotes from his own experiences and highlights the value of curiosity and patience in fostering both personal and professional relationships.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Casey Jacox
• 01:10 Casey's Career Journey
• 02:04 Family Life and Work Balance
• 03:43 Early Career Aspirations
• 05:17 Transition to Coaching and Writing
• 07:52 The Importance of Relationships in Sales
• 09:39 Becoming an Executive Coach
• 15:29 Belief and Overcoming Fear
• 22:12 Practical Sales and Coaching Tips
• 25:54 Overcoming Professional Challenges
• 26:29 The Power of a Growth Mindset
• 29:41 Starting the Quarterback Dadcast
• 32:15 Common Struggles of Modern Dads
• 35:43 Balancing Parenting and Personal Growth
• 42:09 The Importance of Meaningful Relationships
• 47:24 Embracing Gratitude and Final Thoughts

Episode 81. Sales is the engine of any successful business, yet many professionals are afraid of sales, struggle to do it well without a proper system. What separates top-performing organizations and people from everyone else?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Gui Costin, founder of Dakota, a firm specializing in investment sales and distribution. Costin shares his journey in sales, the lessons he’s learned about respecting the sales process, and how a structured approach can transform results.

They discuss the fundamentals of winning deals, the power of persistence, and why having a repeatable sales system is crucial for long-term success. Costin also shares insights on finding the right role, aligning your strengths with the right job, and building a career where you can thrive.

The episode provides valuable takeaways for sales professionals, business leaders, and anyone looking to refine their sales strategy and create a career that’s both fulfilling and built for success.

Episode 80. The professional careers of many impressive people have spanned some combination of investing (or private equity), operating (and/or founding a business) and advising. But when and how do we consider the right balance and the right time for each?

In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Robert Levin, an M&A expert and founder of CIS Ventures. Levin shares his journey from working in various industries and founding companies to transitioning into private equity.

They discuss Levin's extensive experience, covering topics like the evolution of private equity, the opportunities in lower middle market businesses, raising capital, advisory roles, and the key differences between being an operator and investor. Levin also gives advice on how to navigate the intricacies of raising capital, the importance of having the right team, and strategic thinking, particularly in leveraging emerging technologies like AI.

The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and business operators looking to understand the complexities and opportunities within the private equity landscape.

• 00:00 Introduction to Lifetime at Work Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Robert Levin: From Founder to Private Equity
• 01:20 Robert's Early Life and Career Beginnings
• 04:01 Transition to Private Equity and Advisory Work
• 05:07 Understanding the Private Equity Landscape
• 10:12 Private Equity's Impact on Various Industries
• 13:27 Comparing Roles: Operator vs. Private Equity Investor
• 20:10 Future Opportunities in Private Equity
• 28:57 Challenges in Matching Investors and Businesses
• 29:43 Early Stage Struggles and Investor Expectations
• 31:22 Importance of People in Business Success
• 34:17 Recruiting vs. Hiring: Building the Right Team
• 37:15 Raising Capital: Strategies and Advice
• 44:53 Interviewing Investors: A Crucial Skill
• 49:43 Final Thoughts and Contact Information