In this episode of The Inventive Journey, host Devin Miller interviews Kristie Jones, a sales strategist who turned her early experiences in athletics, hospitality, and SaaS leadership into a consultancy helping startups build strong sales foundations.

Kristie shares why waiting tables taught her more about sales than any corporate role, how she navigated multiple reorganizations, why startups mis-hire so often, and how AI is transforming go-to-market strategy forever.

Perfect for founders, sales leaders, and anyone building a modern revenue engine.

🎙️ Overcoming Trauma Through Art — Lisa Lappi

In this deeply moving episode, artist and creative storyteller Lisa Lappi opens up about losing her father at 17, navigating grief and addiction, rebuilding her life through creativity, raising a family through military deployments, and becoming an award-winning artist.

Lisa discusses trauma, recovery, education, military family life, and the power of art to help rebuild identity.
A powerful and emotional journey filled with resilience, reflection, and reinvention.

✨ Creative Roots to Fractional CMO — Denine Harper

In this Inventive Journey episode, Devin Miller talks with Denine Harper about her unusual and inspiring career path. From early motherhood to 3D animation, Manhattan agency life, the .com boom and crash, and the shift into brand marketing and fractional CMO work — Denine’s story is packed with lessons on resilience and reinvention.

Great for founders, creatives, and anyone navigating a career pivot.
🎙️ Tune in for practical insights, inspiration, and real talk about building a creative career in a changing digital world.

🚀 In this Inventive Journey episode, Richard Turcott walks us through his path from Liberal Arts major to seasoned marketer, dot-com operator, CMO, and now small-business consultant. Learn how clarity, fundamentals, and internal collaboration shaped his career—and why he now empowers small businesses through Collaborative Growth Partners.

🌟 Topics include marketing fundamentals, clarity of customer, startup experiences, big mistakes, leadership lessons, and scaling with limited resources.

🌐 Connect with Richard at collaborativegrowthpartners.com
🎙️ Want to be a guest? inventiveunicorn.com
⚖️ Need patents or trademarks? strategymeeting.com

🎙️ From broadcast dreams to corporate healthcare to a purpose-driven agency, Jaime Ellithorpe shares how mindset, marketing, and intentional systems built a reliable LinkedIn pipeline.
✨ Highlights: quitting without “the moment,” finishing one system, side-hustler strategies, and her Triple-M framework.
🔗 Guest: 540strategies.com • jaimeellithorpe.com
➡️ Be a guest: inventiveunicorn.com
🛠️ Patents & trademarks: strategymeeting.com

🎙️ Join Devin Miller on The Inventive Journey as he chats with Jeremy Ames, a former teacher-turned-real-estate-entrepreneur who discovered success through adaptability, mentorship, and self-awareness.

👨‍🏫 From Teaching to Entrepreneurship:Jeremy began his career path in education, but quickly realized the classroom wasn’t where his long-term passion lay. After navigating early uncertainty, he transitioned into the restaurant industry—an environment that tested his leadership, problem-solving, and business instincts.

🏠 The Leap into Real Estate:
A key conversation with a mentor inspired Jeremy to explore real estate investing. Through hands-on experience with an investment group, he learned the ropes and recognized untapped opportunities in retirement account-based property investments.

💡 Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
✨ Embrace self-awareness—know when to pivot.
✨ Leverage mentors for real-world learning.
✨ Stay flexible when plans change.
✨ Build confidence through action, not perfection.

📈 The Takeaway:
Jeremy’s story is a blueprint for anyone questioning their current career path or wondering if it’s too late to start something new. His journey proves that with curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to evolve, new opportunities are always within reach.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how Jeremy turned uncertainty into a thriving real estate career—and how you can apply his principles to your own entrepreneurial path.

🚀 Meet Dianne D. Campbell, a powerhouse who transitioned from decades in corporate tech sales with Fortune 50 companies to founding her own business,Your Productivity Pros.

🎓 Her JourneyDianne’s career began at Long Beach State University, where she earned her degree in business and marketing. After discovering her passion for connecting people and solutions, she pursued a career in sales — eventually becoming a key player during major waves of tech transformation.

💼 From Corporate to CreatorAfter years of helping top companies thrive, Dianne recognized a pivotal truth: longevity in corporate life often has an expiration date. Over 50 and ready for her next challenge, she leveraged her experience, resilience, and insight to build a company helping small businesses streamline processes and uncover hidden profit.

🔁 Pivots and PersistenceLaunching a startup came with rapid learning curves — three major pivots in less than a year. Each iteration refined her business focus as she learned from market shifts, client feedback, and the ever-changing landscape for small businesses.

📈 Her MissionToday, Dianne helps small businesses grow smarter by documenting processes, optimizing SOPs, and building systems that scale. She believes in helping founders “fall in love with structure” — because structure unlocks profit.

💬 Key Insights from Dianne’s Journey:
✨ Keep moving forward even when uncertain.
✨ Trust instincts — red flags matter.
✨ Great opportunities still require due diligence.
✨ Tenacity beats talent if you don’t stop.
✨ A shiny offer means nothing without a solid foundation.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🎯 Why sales is one of the best business skill sets.
📊 How to turn corporate expertise into entrepreneurial independence.
🧠 Why SOPs and process design drive small business profitability.
🔥 How to keep adapting even when you think you’ve “figured it out.”

🌐 Connect with Dianne:
🔗 Website: yourproductivityprosp.com
💼 LinkedIn: Dianne D. Campbell

In this episode of The Inventive Journey, host Devin Miller talks withDarrin Wurz, a former high school science teacher who transitioned into the world of finance and became a trusted advisor to law firm owners.

Darrin shares how his early passion for education and curiosity led him from teaching ninth-grade biology in Cincinnati, Ohio, to building a successful financial advisory business that serves attorneys nationwide. After years in the classroom, Darrin faced burnout and began seeking a new challenge—one that would allow him to help others, apply his analytical mind, and build something lasting.

He went back to school, earned a degree in finance, and—without a client base—put a sign in his front yard. Through networking, marketing experimentation, and persistence, he slowly built a thriving practice. His firm grew through authentic relationships and strategic positioning, eventually niching down to serve law firms. Today, Darrin’s clients rely on him not just for numbers but for insight, growth strategy, and financial mentorship.

Darrin also discusses writing his first book, launching his own podcast, and the ongoing process of refining his business model to meet professional clients’ needs. Listeners will gain valuable insights on career transitions, business growth, and the power of niching down.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• Transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship
• Building a financial firm from scratch
• Finding and refining your niche market
• Lessons learned from serving attorneys
• Balancing passion with sustainability

If you’ve ever considered reinventing your career or are looking to scale your professional service business, Darrin’s story offers clear, practical wisdom on how to make that leap confidently.