What does it take to go from corporate stability to building something entirely new? In this Season 3 episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez sits down with entrepreneur and inventor Todd Hanson, founder of Compass Carts, to explore innovation, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership.

Todd shares how a hunting trip sparked the idea that became a patented product, why honest feedback matters, and how community helps you stay grounded while you grow. If you’ve been sitting on an idea or navigating a career pivot, this episode will encourage you to take the next step.

Subscribe, share this episode, and remember: leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.

00:01:55 Welcome + episode theme

00:02:36 Corporate-to-entrepreneur journey

00:05:09 Meet Todd Hanson + Compass Carts

00:05:41 The moment that sparked the invention

00:06:32 19 prototypes + product launch

00:11:41 Why community + feedback matters

00:14:22 Start before you know everything

00:15:10 Move with imperfect action

00:16:13 SWOT analysis + adapting to uncertainty

00:17:48 Improvise, adapt, overcome

00:18:50 Trade shows + evolving customer needs

00:22:20 Closing + where to follow

• Innovation begins when you refuse to accept the status quo
• You don’t have to know everything to start
• Community creates space for honest feedback and growth
• Persistence beats perfection: 19 prototypes
• Adaptability matters when external changes show up

Todd Hanson is an entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of Compass Carts (Rochester, Minnesota). He spent over 21 years in business development at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage before launching his product in November 2023.

Connect with Todd Hanson and Compass Carts.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddhanson1

Compass Carts Official Site :https://compasscarts.com/

Start your own podcast: The Entrepreneur’s Podcast Blueprint: https://bit.ly/46gso9B

Shop the Coach Dora Books: (Affiliate Links) 👇

https://amzn.to/3Z0B4fB

https://amzn.to/4qONHqh

In this episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez speaks with Dr. Falguni Shah—physician, organizational psychologist, and author—about Truth Lighting, a leadership framework designed to counter gaslighting and foster dignity, clarity, and trust at work.

Key Themes

• Leadership and cultural humility
• Career advancement for women of color
• Community, wellness, and mentorship
• Systemic change in organizations

Guest Dr. Falguni Shah, PhD Physician, Organizational Psychologist, Author of Truth Lighting

Resources

• Get Falguni Shah, PhD's book: https://amzn.to/3LLMkti
• Falguni Shah, PhD's website: https://www.fortruthlighting.com/
• Check out the Entrepreneur's Podcast Blueprint: https://bit.ly/46gso9B

👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation

Show Notes

What do winning teams consistently get right? In this episode of Building Leadership Community, Coach Dora Mendez and HR expert Kyle Patrick Smith explore leadership as responsibility and service.

They unpack authenticity, accountability, and why people-first leadership creates teams that thrive, especially during times of change.

Check out Kyle Patrick Smith’s books:
Recruiting Is Easy!: If You Approach It Like Sales And Marketing
https://amzn.to/45c8qMj
Get the Job You Love
https://amzn.to/3LjZA8x

Key Takeaways

• Winning teams are built through service, not control
• Authentic leadership requires accountability
• Leaders succeed when they lift others up
• People-first culture drives long-term results

Guest Credentials

Kyle Patrick Smith is an HR expert, bestselling author, and founder of HR Kyle with over 25 years of corporate HR experience.

Connect with Kyle Patrick Smith
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehrkyle/
https://hrkyle.com