What truly changes the trajectory of a business—and what does it cost to make that decision? In this powerful segment of "Your New Business Journey" on Passage to Profit Show, entrepreneurs share the defining moments that reshaped their futures, from losing half a retirement fund to betting everything on a product that almost never existed, to turning a pandemic collapse into a global brand and best-selling platform. You’ll hear why delaying PR and marketing can stall even the most innovative ideas, how a bold identity shift can unlock new growth, and why investing in visibility—from social media to branding—is often the difference between obscurity and success. This episode delivers raw, real-world lessons on resilience, reinvention, and the high-stakes decisions that separate those who survive from those who scale.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show, have this discussion with futurist and AI strategist Daniel Burrus, health tech innovator Mark Fox of Resona Health, and lifestyle and finance coach Dwight Heck.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

What does it really take to succeed as an entrepreneur—and why does it never get easier? In this powerful “Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind” segment on Passage to Profit Show, top founders and business leaders reveal the unfiltered truth behind growth, resilience, and long-term success. From the hard reality that every level brings bigger challenges, to the surprising insight that organization consistently beats raw talent, this episode uncovers the mindset shifts and systems that separate lasting entrepreneurs from those who burn out. You’ll learn why you’re never truly “ready,” how embracing discomfort fuels growth, and why passion must be paired with discipline to win. If you’re building a business, scaling a company, or chasing your next big leap, this episode delivers the honest, practical wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Tony award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport, Dominic Forth from Thought Leaders of America and The TV Bookers and Stacey Iltis and Kari Schroeter from Fly Dance Fitness®.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Stacey Iltis and Carrie Schroeder from Fly Dance Fitness.

Stacey Iltis and Carrie Schroeder, co-founders of Fly Dance Fitness, reveal how they turned a single local dance studio into one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the U.S.—without traditional business experience. In this episode of Passage to Profit, they share how leveraging social media, embracing authenticity, and building a powerful community-first brand helped them go viral during the pandemic and scale to 20+ locations. Learn their strategy for franchising, creating demand through content, and why their success has less to do with fitness—and everything to do with connection, timing, and bold decision-making. Read more at: https://www.flydancefitness.com/

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

Entrepreneurs: Grow or Fold — Reinvention, Risk & Smarter Scaling

What’s the one decision that could change everything in your business?

In this episode of Passage to Profit - Road to Entrepreneurship, co-hosts Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, along with their guests explore the real turning points behind entrepreneurial success—from scaling too fast to knowing when to pause, refine, and rebuild. Learn how to navigate risk, manage cash flow, and break out of the “safe zone” that holds so many founders back.

Matt Ross (https://mattross.com/ and https://oneriverschool.com), Founder of One River School and former CEO of School of Rock, shares how he scaled a national brand—and why refining during COVID set his company up for smarter growth.

Ken Dashow (https://q1043.iheart.com/featured/ken-dashow/), legendary Q104.3 radio host, reveals how testing ideas and building audience connection keeps media brands thriving.

Eleanor Kubacki (https://efkgroup.com), CEO of EFK Group, explains how saying yes to the right opportunity led to a global rebrand—and why playing the long game matters.

Antonia Tomao (https://antoniaspromise.com), founder of Antonia’s Promise, shares how launching a podcast opened doors and helped her build a successful jewelry brand.

Listen to learn:

• When to scale vs. refine
• How to take smarter risks
• Why visibility drives growth
• What it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

• (00:00:00) - Passive Profits: How to Get Out of Debt
• (00:00:22) - Seeking Your Voice on Road to Profit
• (00:01:33) - The One Decision That Changed the Direction of My Business
• (00:03:22) - What was the one decision that changed the trajectory of your business?
• (00:05:17) - PODCAST: Antonia Tam
• (00:06:28) - How The podcast got started before COVID
• (00:07:52) - A Day in the Life of Lawyer
• (00:08:54) - Matt Ross on School of Rock
• (00:12:29) - Kenny on His Change at School of Rock
• (00:16:10) - Grow or Fold: The Search for Your Passion
• (00:17:52) - Steve Jobs on Starting a Business at 50
• (00:23:52) - In the Elevator With Businesses
• (00:26:24) - Grow or Fold: The Dysfunctional Safe Zone
• (00:29:22) - Matt Ross and Ken Dashow on Rediscovering Creativity in
• (00:32:25) - How to Prioritize Your Time effectively
• (00:35:07) - Car Shield
• (00:36:06) - Better Health Insurance for You Now!
• (00:37:11) - Business Owners Roundtable: One Way You're Using AI
• (00:39:00) - Using AI in Business
• (00:39:36) - Business Owners Roundtable: AI Use Cases
• (00:42:55) - Debt Relief Hotline
• (00:45:22) - Who Really Owns Your Clone?
• (00:48:43) - What's Your Startup Plan for the New AI World?
• (00:51:35) - Top Law Firm Executives on AI
• (00:54:37) - The Future of AI in the Legal Firm
• (00:57:19) - Does AI Affect Your Company's Goals?
• (01:03:10) - Antonia's Promise
• (01:04:24) - The Broken Praying Cross Jewelry
• (01:07:25) - The Secret to Starting a Business
• (01:10:15) - Matt Walsh on His 'Midlife'
• (01:14:07) - Antonia's Promise
• (01:16:18) - Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind
• (01:18:02) - Don't Flip Out Over an unreasonable Offer

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Dominic Forth from Thought Leaders of America and The TV Bookers.

What does it really take to get booked on TV—and is it even the smartest move for entrepreneurs today? Media expert Dominic Forth reveals the insider playbook for turning your story into powerful visibility across TV, podcasts, and YouTube. From the three essential elements of a compelling, audience-driven story to overcoming camera fear and imposter syndrome, this episode breaks down how to build credibility, trust, and true thought leadership in 2026. You’ll also learn why local TV can outperform national spots, how podcasts create deeper influence, and why YouTube is becoming the ultimate engine for discoverability and long-term brand growth. Read more at: https://www.thoughtleadersamerica.com/

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Tony award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport.

Tony Award–winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport reveals how raising over $100 million for shows mirrors venture capital, why even the most talented teams can’t guarantee success, and how audience demand ultimately decides every winner and flop. You’ll learn how entrepreneurs can navigate uncertainty, bounce back from failure, think ahead of shifting markets, and use bold, unconventional marketing to stand out. Read more at: https://kendavenport.com/

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

What’s the one decision that can make—or break—your business? In this powerful episode, entrepreneurs share the pivotal moments that transformed their journeys, from risking everything and giving away a product to spark explosive word-of-mouth growth, to grinding through early rejection and learning the true cost of building trust and visibility. You’ll hear how scrappy marketing, relentless outreach, and bold leaps—like franchising during a viral surge or pivoting through unexpected setbacks like COVID and city shutdowns—reshaped entire companies. Packed with real-world lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and momentum, this episode reveals what it really takes to turn uncertainty into opportunity and build a business that lasts.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Tony award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport, Dominic Forth from Thought Leaders of America and The TV Bookers and Stacey Iltis and Kari Schroeter from Fly Dance Fitness®.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.