In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Robert Ancill, CEO of The Next Idea Group, to discuss his journey of reinvention from a culinary professional to a global business leader in hospitality and design.

Robert shares how he pivoted industries, scaled a business to 24 countries, and oversaw 89+ brand launches and 800+ restaurant openings worldwide. He dives into the challenges of growing a business internationally, the key ingredients for success, and what he’s learned from working with top hospitality brands.

Memorable Quotes from Robert Ancill:

💡 "Success isn’t just about a great idea—it’s about how well you execute it."

💡 "Reinvention isn’t about starting over—it’s about taking what you’ve learned and applying it in new, meaningful ways."

💡 "Scaling a business globally means understanding cultures, not just markets."

💡 "In business, you either evolve or become irrelevant. There’s no in-between."

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone considering a career pivot, this episode is packed with invaluable insights on reinvention, scaling, and long-term success.

• CEO & Chairman, The Next Idea Group
• Expert in restaurant consulting, branding, and interior design
• Over 89 brands launched and 800 restaurant openings in 24 countries
• Former executive with Aroma Café Group, Planet Hollywood, Panera Bread, and HMS Host
• Provides executive coaching to hospitality and design industry leaders

✅ Robert’s journey from culinary arts to global business leadership

✅ The moment that led him to pivot from hospitality operations to consulting & design

✅ How he built The Next Idea Group and scaled internationally

✅ The biggest challenges of growing a business across multiple markets

✅ The lessons he’s learned from 800+ restaurant openings

✅ Trends shaping the future of restaurant & hospitality design

✅ Advice for entrepreneurs looking to pivot industries or scale globally

✔️ Reinvention is possible—but requires adaptability, vision, and persistence

✔️ Scaling a business internationally demands an understanding of cultural differences and market trends

✔️ Execution matters just as much as a great idea

✔️ Success in business comes down to strategic planning, relationships, and continuous innovation

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📌 Connect with Robert Ancill:

🔗 Website: https://thenextideagroup.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robertancill

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In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with James Bates, the Founder & CEO of AdviNow Medical, a company leveraging AI and augmented reality to transform healthcare. James shares his incredible journey—from leading billion-dollar tech businesses to raising $20 million to build his own game-changing startup.

We dive into the realities of scaling a business, the challenges of raising capital, and how James navigated industry pushback to bring innovation to healthcare. He also shares lessons in resilience, leadership, and team-building, giving founders and entrepreneurs a firsthand look at what it really takes to disrupt an industry.

💡 Memorable Quotes from James Bates:

🔹 “AdviNow allows doctors to be doctors once again.”

🔹 “I thought I was resilient before I founded this company—I had no idea what resilience meant.”

🔹 “If all you're saying is, ‘this is too hard, it’s taking too long,’ then you just have to ignore it.”

🔹 “Technology adoption in healthcare is seen as a risk, not a benefit—and that’s a big problem.”

🔹 “If you can tell me why my vision isn’t valid, I want that conversation. But if you’re just telling me to give up, I won’t.”

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale, a tech enthusiast interested in AI’s role in healthcare, or someone who loves real startup stories, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🚀 Episode Title:

👉 From Startup to Scale: James Bates on Raising $20M & Revolutionizing Healthcare

🎧 In This Episode, We Cover:

✔️ What inspired James to launch AdviNow Medical

✔️ The challenges of raising $20M and convincing investors

✔️ How AI and AR are transforming healthcare

✔️ The biggest obstacles he faced in scaling his business

✔️ The importance of building the right team

✔️ Key lessons in resilience, leadership, and overcoming setbacks

💡 Memorable Quotes:

🔹 “70% of the cost of a medical encounter is the doctor, but 66% of their time is spent on things that have nothing to do with their medical licensure.”

🔹 “Healthcare is 20% of the GDP, yet most medical practices don’t make money. That’s a major red flag.”

🔹 “If you want to build something big, you need an unwavering vision and relentless pursuit of it.”

🔹 “Technology is supposed to make things easier, but in healthcare, outdated systems are holding us back.”

🔹 “The biggest challenge isn’t the technology—it’s changing the mindset of an industry stuck in its ways.”

🔗 Connect with James & AdviNow Medical:

🌐 Website: www.advinow.com

📧 Email James: james.bates@advinow.com

📧 General inquiries: info@advinow.com

🔗 LinkedIn:

Anne also discusses her additional ventures—Left Brain Solutions, an operations consulting company, and Lupine Floral Design, a boutique floral business—highlighting her passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. This episode dives into leadership lessons, the challenges and rewards of running multiple businesses, and what it takes to build a lasting legacy in the culinary world.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into balancing growth with quality, fostering a strong team culture, and staying motivated in a competitive industry.

1. Key Themes to Highlight:

• Sustainability as a core value in business.
• The balance between innovation and maintaining quality.
• Leadership lessons from managing operations, HR, marketing, and finances.
• Scaling a business into new ventures, such as catering and food trucks.
• Personal motivation behind launching additional businesses.

1. Guest Background Highlights:

• Co-owner of Mayan Cafe since 2007, known for its sustainability and Mayan-inspired cuisine.
• Expanded into catering and Mayan Street Food, a food truck concept.
• Awarded NAWBO's thriving business award (2019) and Business First Family Business Award (2020).
• Business consultant at Louisville’s Small Business Development Center (2020–2022).
• Founder of Left Brain Solutions and Lupine Floral Design.

1. Potential Questions for Follow-Up:

• How did Anne identify the opportunity to expand into catering and food trucks?
• What advice does she have for maintaining brand consistency during growth?
• How does Anne approach time management across multiple ventures?

1. Engagement Tips for Anne’s Audience:

• Share stories that highlight her connection to Louisville and the local community.
• Dive into lessons from her leadership journey, including any specific challenges.
• End on a positive, motivational note about the future of Mayan Cafe and her entrepreneurial vision.