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.

In this inspiring episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Puran Bair, an electrical engineer-turned-entrepreneur and meditation expert, to explore his incredible journey. Puran shares how he transitioned from corporate leadership roles to co-founding iamHeart, a business rooted in Heart Rhythm Meditation. We dive into the challenges of merging spirituality with entrepreneurship, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how leading with heart can transform not just businesses but lives.

Listeners will gain insight into the intersection of science and spirituality, the practical applications of heart-centered leadership, and actionable advice for creating purpose-driven businesses.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation and Courage: Puran’s bold leap from corporate life to creating a spiritually-focused business showcases the power of following one’s passion.
2. Practical Meditation: Heart Rhythm Meditation isn’t just for personal growth—it’s a powerful tool for leaders to enhance performance and decision-making.
3. Lessons for Entrepreneurs: Puran emphasizes the importance of staying aligned with your mission, even when facing doubts or challenges.
4. Balancing Science and Mysticism: By validating spiritual practices through scientific research, Puran bridges the gap between the mystical and the practical.
5. Heart-Centered Leadership: Entrepreneurs can lead with empathy, purpose, and intentionality for long-term impact and success.

Episode Notes:

• Guest Background: Puran’s story includes:
• A robust academic foundation in electrical engineering and computer science.
• Years of corporate experience in technology and finance before founding iamHeart.
• Groundbreaking work in meditation research, including physiological studies on Heart Rhythm Meditation.
• Themes Explored:
• The intersection of spirituality and business.
• Overcoming obstacles as a heart-centered entrepreneur.
• The impact of meditation on leadership and team performance.
• Advice for balancing purpose and profitability in entrepreneurship.
• Links Mentioned:
• iamHeart Website: iamHeart.org
• Puran’s Instagram: @iheartmeditation

Notes for Editing:

• Ensure a smooth transition between Puran’s technical background and spiritual journey.
• Highlight actionable insights for listeners, especially entrepreneurs.
• Emphasize Puran’s personal anecdotes to create a relatable and engaging narrative.

Key Topics to Highlight:

1. Origins of Flamingo Pools

• Dallin’s motivation for starting the business and his journey from idea to execution.

1. Customer-Centric Approach

• Emphasizing customer relationships and treating them as heroes in their pool ownership journey.

1. Innovative Services

• Unique offerings like mineral treatments and quick-turnaround estimators that set Flamingo Pools apart.

1. Leadership and Team Building

• Dallin’s approach to fostering a motivated, aligned, and high-performing team.

1. Navigating Challenges

• Lessons learned from setbacks and how he overcame obstacles during the business’s growth.

1. Future Vision

• Goals and exciting projects that showcase what’s next for Flamingo Pools.

Takeaways for the Audience:

• The importance of aligning business strategies with customer needs.
• How to innovate within a traditional industry to stand out.
• Leadership tips for building a cohesive team and scaling a service-based business.
• Practical advice for entrepreneurs on balancing growth with day-to-day operations.

Guest Highlights:

• Name: Nishchal (Nish) Banskota
• Title: Founder, Nepal Tea Collective
• Website: nepalteacollective.com
• Instagram: @nepalteacollective
• LinkedIn: Nishchal Banskota

Key Topics Covered:

1. Origins of Nepal Tea Collective: Nishchal’s background as a second-generation tea producer and how family inspired his mission.
2. Bridging the Gap: Tackling the disconnect between primary producers and global consumers.
3. Challenges: Overcoming barriers to creating a transparent, tech-enabled tea trade.
4. Sustainability Focus: Aligning Nepal Tea Collective’s practices with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
5. Entrepreneurial Lessons: The importance of persistence, passion, and surrounding yourself with the right team.
6. Global Impact: Reflections on being featured in The New York Times and Forbes.
7. Practical Advice: Key tips for starting a mission-driven business.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Tea is more than just a drink; it’s a way to connect people and cultures."
• "Transparency isn’t just a business value; it’s a necessity in today’s world."
• "If you want to make a global impact, start with your local roots."

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

• The importance of aligning your business with a meaningful mission.
• How sustainability can be a core differentiator in building a brand.
• The value of storytelling in connecting with consumers.
• Why resilience and adaptability are critical in entrepreneurship.

Call to Action:

• Visit Nepal Tea Collective’s website to learn more about their teas and mission.
• Follow their journey on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates and stories.
• Share this episode with someone who values sustainability and entrepreneurship.

This episode of What It Takes features Natalie Griffin and Amy Philpott, co-founders of Gerry’s Cafe, a nonprofit cafe that provides employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Natalie, a former special education teacher, and Amy, a seasoned business professional, joined forces to address the high unemployment rate within this community. Opened in 2023, Gerry’s Cafe combines a mission-driven purpose with excellent craft food and beverages.

The discussion focuses on their journey, from overcoming challenges like grassroots fundraising and pandemic delays to building a supportive community and creating an inclusive workspace. Natalie and Amy emphasize perseverance, collaboration, and the power of a mission-driven vision.

Key Themes:

1. Inspiration and Founding Story

• Natalie’s special education background highlighted the talents of individuals with disabilities and the stark lack of job opportunities available to them.
• Amy brought her business expertise, and together they built the nonprofit Brewing Opportunities, later rebranded Gerry’s Cafe in memory of Natalie’s aunt, Geralyn Weimer.

1. Challenges and Perseverance:

• Major hurdles included legal and nonprofit setup, fundraising, and building community support.
• The pandemic became a time for strategic planning, board development, and organizational strengthening.

1. Impact:

• Since opening in August 2023, the cafe has employed 37 adults with disabilities, providing skill development and fostering confidence and joy.
• Community testimonials reflect how transformative the cafe is for both employees and customers.

1. Balancing Mission and Business:

• The cafe maintains its nonprofit mission but also strives to run as a successful business.
• High payroll costs from hiring employees with disabilities are offset by community fundraising and commitment to quality products.

1. Advice for Entrepreneurs:

• Perseverance: Keep going despite roadblocks.
• Collaboration: Surround yourself with experts and supportive community members.
• Patience and Planning: Build your vision methodically, with a realistic timeline and strong foundation.
• Grit: Success demands resilience and hard work.

Memorable Quotes:

• “If every single person on the earth could walk into Gerry’s Cafe, the world would be a different place.”
• “That deposit of time [customers give us] will redeposit into their heart and into the community.”

Actionable Takeaways:

• Building a mission-driven business requires persistence, strategic partnerships, and the support of your community.
• Combining a clear social mission with operational excellence can lead to a greater impact.

In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Adam Povlitz, CEO and President of Anago Cleaning Systems, a leading global commercial cleaning franchise. Adam shares his inspiring journey from the corporate world at IBM to stepping into his family’s business and leading it to international success.

We’ll explore what it takes to transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, the leadership lessons Adam has learned along the way, and how he scaled Anago into the global powerhouse it is today. Adam also dives into the challenges of growing a competitive franchise, staying innovative, and his role as a thought leader in the industry.

If you’re curious about leadership, scaling a franchise, or learning what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur, this episode is for you.

Guest: Adam Povlitz

Title/Role: CEO & President of Anago Cleaning Systems

Website: www.anagocleaning.com

LinkedIn: Adam Povlitz

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Adam’s early career at IBM and the skills he developed there.
2. Why Adam decided to leave the corporate world and join his family’s business.
3. The challenges of transitioning from corporate to CEO and growing into leadership.
4. Key turning points in scaling Anago Cleaning Systems into a global franchise.
5. Adam’s leadership philosophy and how it has evolved over time.
6. Staying competitive and innovative in the commercial cleaning industry.
7. How Adam uses his platform as a thought leader to contribute to Entrepreneur and Forbes.
8. The biggest challenges he’s faced while scaling a franchise.
9. The importance of innovation and vision when building a business.
10. Adam’s best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.

Takeaways for Listeners:

• The value of skills learned in the corporate world for entrepreneurial success.
• How to lead and scale a family business into a global brand.
• The mindset and strategies needed to compete in a growing market.
• Lessons on leadership, innovation, and resilience in entrepreneurship.

Call to Action:

If you’re inspired by Adam’s story, check out Anago Cleaning Systems at www.anagocleaning.com and follow Adam on LinkedIn.