In this episode, Donnita Travis shares her journey from a thriving corporate career to founding By The Hand Club For Kids, a nonprofit transforming the lives of children in under-resourced neighborhoods. Donnita opens up about the tension between self-reliance and trusting God, how faith and purpose shaped her leadership, and the business-minded strategies that helped scale her impact.

From personal growth to organizational expansion, this conversation offers wisdom on leadership, calling, and the courage to pursue transformation.

00:00 – Framing the Role of Resilience in Leadership

01:25 – Wrestling with Self-Reliance vs. Trusting God

04:12 – From Corporate Success to Community Impact

10:21 – Applying Business Principles to Nonprofit Leadership

14:16 – What Resilience Really Means in Adversity

17:01 – Leading Through Crisis: COVID-19 Challenges

24:50 – Innovation, Adaptability, and Thriving Through Uncertainty

25:19 – Personal Growth and Leadership in Times of Crisis

29:31 – Purpose-Driven Leadership and the Power of “Why”

31:14 – Navigating Career Transitions with Faith

44:32 – Growing the Mission: Expansion Beyond Chicago

50:15 – Embracing Humility, Faith, and Partnership in Leadership

In this episode of Masters of Resilience, hosts Mark Phillips and Ryan Seager sit down with Ale Breuer, a founder, investor, and professor, to explore the critical role of resilience in entrepreneurship. Ale shares her personal journey—from launching Ezza Nails to navigating challenges as an investor—highlighting the power of persistence, embracing failure, and developing emotional intelligence in leadership.

The conversation dives into key themes like the difference between persistence and resilience, the concept of a resume of failure, and the emotional aspects of failure and shame. Ale also discusses how her experiences continue to shape her work in MBA education and venture capital, emphasizing the importance of founder diligence, self-awareness, and servant leadership.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or leader, this episode offers invaluable insights into mastering the inner game of resilience in business.

00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Adversity

02:22 Ale’s Journey: From Founder to Investor

05:01 The Role of Failure in Success

10:07 Navigating the Pandemic: Challenges and Decisions

20:12 Lessons in Leadership and Servant Leadership

26:07 The Legacy of Ezza: Teaching Resilience to Future Entrepreneurs

28:24 The Theater of Resilience

29:04 Building Resilience in MBA Students

30:57 The Resume of Failure

32:45 Disassociating Shame from Failure

33:36 Persistence vs. Resilience

37:22 The Future of Entrepreneurship

41:21 Founder Diligence in Venture Capital

50:52 Mastering the Inner Game of Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Masters of Resilience podcast, hosts Ryan Seager and Mark Phillips engage with Nate and Ben Checketts, co-founders of Rhone, a premium activewear brand. The conversation delves into the brothers' journey of building Rhone, highlighting the unseen adversities they faced, the importance of resilience, and the role of identity in their entrepreneurial journey. They discuss how their personal experiences and family dynamics shaped their approach to business, emphasizing the significance of community, mental fitness, and the pursuit of purpose over perfection.

02:25 The Journey of Roan: Overcoming Adversity

09:19 Building Resilience Through Habits and Structure

17:07 Identity and Imposter Syndrome in Business

25:20 Creating Meaning and Community Through Rhone

35:49 The Essence of Holiness and Human Connection

37:45 Sustaining Profound Moments in Life

41:51 The Pursuit of Less but Better

45:00 Balancing Priorities: Family, Work, and Life

51:53 Navigating Pain and Suffering in Parenting

58:14 The Importance of Marriage in a Busy Life

01:03:20 Reflections on the Journey and Advice for the Future

www.mastersofresilience.com

www.rhone.com