In this exciting episode of "Braving Business," we sit down with Chef Joe Sasto and Sean Knecht, the innovative co-founders of Tantos!, to explore the dynamic intersection of culinary artistry and entrepreneurial prowess. Their collective journeys through entrepreneurialism and resilience leading them to launch and incredible product together is a story worth sharing.

Key Topics Covered:

Entrepreneurial Evolution: Discover both Sean and Joe's unique journeys as they found their way through focus, hurdles, pivots, and continued resilience.

Culinary Innovation: Unpack the inception of Tantos, the world's first puffed pasta chip, and the collaborative spark needed to launch.

Resilience and Adaptation: Learn how Sean and Joe navigated challenges and leveraged their passion for cooking to create a unique product in the competitive snack market.

Building Strategic Partnerships: Insights into forming successful collaborations with major brands and leveraging media exposure to fuel business growth.

Main Insights:

Sean and Joe share their unfiltered insights on staying resilient through entrepreneurial shifts, the importance of pursuing passion projects, and how to capitalize on unique ideas in niche markets. Their story is a testament to the power of embracing change and finding opportunities in unexpected places.

Actionable Takeaways:

1

Embrace Collaboration: Reach out to potential partners who complement your skillset and vision for innovative product development.

2

Leverage Media Exposure: Utilize platforms like social media to gain visibility and credibility for your brand.

3

Cultivate a Passion Project: Allow personal interests to guide business ventures, as passion can drive innovation and success.

Join us as Joe and Sean share their recipe for entrepreneurial success, blending creativity with strategic business acumen to inspire the next wave of purpose-driven leaders and innovators. Follow their journey on social media @seanknecht @chef.joe.sasto and @eattantos - discover how you can turn your culinary dreams into a thriving business reality.

In this compelling episode of Braving Business, we sit down with James Swanwick—esteemed alcohol-free coach, investor, entrepreneur, and former ESPN SportsCenter anchor—who is revolutionizing how high-performing professionals view alcohol consumption. As the creator and founder of Project 90, a neuroscience-based program boasting a remarkable 98% success rate in reducing alcohol consumption, James offers profound insights into the transformative power of an alcohol-free lifestyle. His upcoming book, CLEAR: How to Achieve Success Without Alcohol, launching March 18, 2025, promises to be a game-changer for entrepreneurs, executives, and health enthusiasts alike.

Key Topics Covered:

Alcohol-Free Wealth: Discover how cutting back on drinking can dramatically enhance your career, family life, and financial standing.

Breaking the Stigma: Learn why abandoning alcohol is becoming the ultimate status symbol among high performers.

The Neuroscience of Quitting Alcohol: Delve into the science behind Project 90's exceptional success rate, starkly contrasting with traditional methods like AA.

Main Insights:

James shares his journey from a high-profile media career to becoming a leading figure in the alcohol-free movement. His expertise, featured on popular podcasts like High Intensity Health and Lead On Purpose with James Laughlin, underscores the profound impact of ditching alcohol on personal and professional success.

Actionable Takeaways:

1

Reframe Your Perspective: Understand the hidden costs of alcohol on your productivity and health.

2

Adopt Science-Backed Strategies: Leverage neuroscience-based techniques to reduce alcohol consumption and boost clarity.

3

Embrace New Norms: Position yourself as a forward-thinking leader by making alcohol-free living a status symbol.

Tune in and discover how an alcohol-free lifestyle could be the key to unlocking your full potential in both business and life.

Connect with James:

www.jamesswanwick.com

IG: @jamesswanwick

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesswanwick

Contact us:

www.BravingBusiness.com - Co-Hosted by Tal Zlotnitsky & PJ Benoit

Our guest today is a legend in the music industry, Dr. Matthew Knowles. Known as Beyoncé's father, Matthew is a successful music executive, entrepreneur, author, and professor. He played a pivotal role in the rise of Destiny's Child and the solo careers of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. Founder of Music World Entertainment, Matthew has over 450 million records sold worldwide. His books include “The DNA of Achievers” and “Racism from the Eyes of a Child.” Welcome, Matthew!

Episode Summary:

Matthew Knowles shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a music industry titan. He discusses the challenges he faced, his strategic vision, and his role in shaping the careers of Destiny's Child and his daughters. Matthew also talks about his insights on overcoming adversity, managing public scrutiny, and his thoughts on the future of the music industry.

Key Questions:

1. Matthew, can you share your early experiences integrating all-white schools in the South and how these shaped your outlook?

2. When did you realize Beyoncé and Solange had extraordinary talent, and how did you nurture it?

3. How did you balance being a father and a manager, especially during challenging times?

4. You’ve said that failure is a primer for future success. Can you share a personal story that illustrates this?

5. What advice do you have for developing and fine-tuning a strategic vision in one's career?

6. Which traits from “The DNA of Achievers” were crucial for your success, and how can listeners cultivate them?

7. How did you manage public scrutiny and stay resilient during tough times?

8. What drives your passion for educating future entrepreneurs and music business leaders?

9. How do you see the future of the music industry evolving, and what advice would you give to new artists?

10. What challenges and rewards have you encountered running Music World Entertainment?

11. Reflecting on your journey, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

12. How did you handle the pressures of the music industry while maintaining personal relationships?

13. What are your thoughts on the parallels between your journey and Richard Williams' with Venus and Serena?

Quotable Moments:

- "Failure is a primer for future success."

- "Developing a strategic vision is crucial for building a successful career."

Connect with Matthew Knowles:

- Website: https://www.musicworldent.com

- Instagram: @knowsmathewknowles

Listener Engagement:

Share your thoughts on Matthew Knowles' insights and your own stories of overcoming challenges in your entrepreneurial journeys.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Braving Business Podcast or its hosts.

Outro:

Thanks to Matthew Knowles for sharing his wisdom and stories. His approach to the music business and entrepreneurship continues to inspire. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Stay brave and keep pursuing your dreams!

Brand Evangelism, Innovation, and Resilience with Guy Kawasaki

Episode Description:

Join us on this captivating episode of Braving Business as we delve into the mind of marketing maven and innovation evangelist, Guy Kawasaki. With a storied career that spans pioneering roles at Apple, a transformative tenure at Canva, and influential writings, Guy’s insights are a treasure trove for business professionals seeking to navigate the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Guy shares his journey from helping launch the iconic Macintosh computer in 1984 to his current role as Chief Evangelist at Canva. Discover how he popularized the term "evangelist," not just as a title but as a powerful marketing philosophy that has influenced countless industries.

We explore Guy’s valuable lessons from Kodak’s failure to adapt, drawing parallels to modern business challenges and the importance of staying ahead of the curve. Guy also shares personal anecdotes, including the profound impact Steve Jobs had on his career and the whimsical fantasy of being mistaken for Jackie Chan.

Key topics include:

- Evangelism marketing and its role in modern business

- Lessons from Kodak's downfall and adapting to technological shifts

- Insights from working with Steve Jobs and the creation of the famed 1984 Apple ad

- Personal reflections and humor from Guy’s illustrious career

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to incorporate evangelism marketing into their business models, tips on resilience and adaptability in the face of industry disruption, and inspiration from Guy’s unique life experiences.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or investor, this episode offers a blend of wisdom, humor, and practical advice that can transform your approach to business challenges. Tune in for an engaging conversation that promises to inspire and inform.

Connect with Guy Kawasaki:

Website: guykawasaki.com/

Website: remarkablepeople.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/guykawasaki

Contact us:

www.BravingBusiness.com - Co-Hosted by Tal Zlotnitsky & PJ Benoit

Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming a truly visionary guest, Walter Kinzie, the founder of Kinzie Foods. Walter's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and innovation, and we're thrilled to have him share his story with us.

About Walter Kinzie

Walter Kinzie is Founder at Kinzie Foods. Incredible products, made with love.

Topics Covered

• Walter's journey as an entrepreneur.

• The pivotal moment in Walter's career and how it shaped the path forward.

• Walter's journey from the start began with a significant challenge—a life-threatening kidney transplant and then professional concerts to raise money for others.

• Personal qualities that have contributed to Walter's success.

• How Walter founded and developed Kinzie Foods.

• Navigating business challenges and building resilience in the industry.

• Leadership philosophy and management approach in a competitive market.

Connect with Walter Kinzie

• [Website](https://kinziefoods.com)

• [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/walter-kinzie)

Contact Us

• [Braving Business Podcast](https://www.bravingbusiness.com) - Co-hosted by Tal Zlotnitsky & PJ Benoit

In a popularly demanded re-run of Braving Business, we sit down with Kat Weaver, a 2x accidental entrepreneur who turned crisis into opportunity—twice. Kat launched her first business from a college dorm room, built it into a successful company, then faced a devastating fire that could have ended everything. Instead of giving up, she used storytelling to win 22 of 23 pitch competitions, secure six figures in funding, and eventually sell the business for a successful exit—but not before nearly losing the deal four times.

After a viral FedEx video featuring her pitch tips, Kat realized she had a gift for helping others. That’s when she founded Power to Pitch, a company that helps early-stage founders perfect their pitch, land investors, and secure funding faster. Now, she’s on a mission to help founders raise $100 million in grants and venture capital—and she’s well on her way.

In this conversation, Kat shares:

• How losing everything to a fire transformed the way she thinks about storytelling in business.
• The most common mistakes founders make when pitching—and how to fix them.
• Why negotiation is everything—and how to turn a “no” into a “yes.”
• What VCs are really looking for when they hear a pitch (and what they secretly hate).
• The mindset shift that took her from college entrepreneur to expert in securing funding.

Kat’s tennis background taught her grit and sacrifice, and she applies that same relentless energy to helping founders win in the fundraising game.

Key Takeaways:

• Every founder needs a great story—investors don’t just buy into numbers, they buy into vision.
• Resilience is everything in entrepreneurship—persistence separates those who raise capital from those who don’t.
• Everything is negotiable—you just have to know how to frame the conversation.

Connect with Kat Weaver:

To get the pitch guide, they just have to DM the word “PITCH” on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamkatweaver/?hl=en

• LinkedIn: Kat Weaver

Contact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more information, resources, and episodes.

Kat’s entrepreneurial journey is proof that storytelling isn’t just important—it’s the difference between securing funding and getting overlooked. Tune in to hear her secrets to winning pitches, raising capital, and turning setbacks into success.

Warning: This episode includes explict discussion of child abuse (of a non-sexual nature). User discretion is advised

In this previously released Top 10 of all times episode of Braving Business, we sit down with Ray Higdon, a former foreclosure statistic turned multimillion-dollar entrepreneur, bestselling author, and CEO of The Higdon Group. Ray's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the human spirit's capacity for transformation. (

After facing personal and financial hardships, including a foreclosure, Ray rebuilt his life and business, becoming a leading figure in the network marketing industry. Through his company, The Higdon Group, he has helped clients generate over 500,000 new customers via proven coaching programs. Ray's mission extends beyond business; he and his wife, Jessica, have raised over $1 million to support families in need, combat human trafficking, and promote alternative healthcare solutions.

In this candid conversation, Ray shares:

• His journey from financial despair to entrepreneurial success
• The role of faith in his personal and professional life
• Insights into building a purpose-driven business
• Strategies for overcoming adversity and embracing personal growth

Key Takeaways:

• Adversity can be a catalyst for profound personal and professional transformation
• Integrating faith and purpose can lead to a more fulfilling business journey
• Authenticity and vulnerability are powerful tools in leadership and personal development

Connect with Ray Higdon:

• Website: rayhigdon.com
• Instagram: @rayhigdon
• LinkedIn: Ray Higdon

Contact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more episodes and updates.

Ray's story is a powerful reminder that with faith, resilience, and a commitment to purpose, it's possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges. Tune in for an episode that delves deep into the heart of what it means to brave business and life with integrity and passion.

In this episode of Braving Business, we sit down with Ulf Ekberg, co-founder of the iconic Swedish pop group Ace of Base. Rising to global fame in the 1990s with hits like "All That She Wants" and "The Sign," the band sold over 50 million records worldwide, making them one of Sweden's most successful musical exports.

Beyond the charts, Ulf's journey is one of transformation. From his early days immersed in Gothenburg's electronic music scene, inspired by bands like Kraftwerk, to co-founding Ace of Base, his passion for technology and music was evident. However, his past associations with extremist groups during his teenage years cast a shadow over his success. Ulf has publicly acknowledged and expressed deep regret for this period, emphasizing that those views are not reflective of who he is today.

In recent years, Ulf has channeled his energies into technology and sustainability. He co-founded a music production and management company with Jonas Berggren and has been involved in sustainable impact investing, including serving as a governor for the Stoic Foundation.

In this candid conversation, Ulf shares:

• The origins of Ace of Base and their unexpected rise to fame
• His reflections on past mistakes and the journey to personal growth
• Transitioning from pop stardom to tech entrepreneurship and sustainability initiatives
• Insights into the music industry's evolution and the role of technology

Key Takeaways:

• Personal transformation is possible, even after public missteps
• Diversifying one's career can lead to fulfilling second acts
• Embracing technology and sustainability can drive meaningful change

Connect with Ulf Ekberg:

• Website: about.me/ulf.ekberg
• Instagram: @ulfbuddha
• LinkedIn: Ulf Ekberg

Contact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more episodes and updates.

Ulf's story is a testament to the complexities of personal growth, the power of reinvention, and the enduring impact of music and technology. Tune in for an episode that delves deep into the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight and beyond.