Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-President of Chicago Glue & Machine, Nirel Inman. Nirel is someone who truly understands the value of a positive work environment. She shared her passion for finding purpose and happiness, both in her personal life and within her role at Chicago Glue & Machine. She stressed the importance of setting boundaries and surrounding oneself with people who energize and bring joy. This philosophy has helped her create a workplace where employees feel genuinely cared for and appreciated.

To learn more about Nirel's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications, Barry LaBov. Barry's passion for marketing is rooted in a profound understanding of what makes each company unique. His firm specializes in working with manufacturers to unearth the distinctiveness of their products and services. But what sets Barry's approach apart is his emphasis on connecting this uniqueness to the company's employees first approach, celebrating it internally before sharing it with the world.

To learn more about Barry's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President, Dr. Donna Marino. Donna's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The loss of her father in the tragic events of 9/11 became a catalyst for her to make a positive impact in the world. This profound experience shaped her mission to work with family businesses and leadership, fostering an environment where family, loyalty, and community care are paramount.

Donna explored the unique challenges that family businesses face. Succession planning, scaling, and preserving the essence of the family business culture during expansion are just a few hurdles. Donna brings a wealth of knowledge as an entrepreneur, business owner, and psychologist, providing a unique lens through which to view these issues.

To learn more about Donna's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Executive Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, Filip Keuppens. For Filip and his team at the Pickle Juice Company, their mission is to create sustainable, relevant solutions that genuinely matter. Their unique go-to-market strategy blends traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) theories with mission-based and experiential approaches. But it's not just about the product—it's about making a difference.

The Pickle Juice Company has achieved something extraordinary: a 100% efficacy rate in alleviating muscle cramps within 82 seconds of ingestion. This is a monumental feat, considering that muscle cramps affect roughly 50% of people, from elite athletes to those who experience nighttime leg cramps.

To learn more about Filip's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Labor Titan, Jason Krantz. Jason's journey from a corporate role to entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep-seated desire to help others. He recognized early on that while many sought assistance, few knew how to effectively harness the power of information. His career blossomed around the concept of leveraging data and analytics to aid decision-making, a path that led him to establish Labor Titan.

To learn more about Jason's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Member Engagement of Illinois Manufacturers'​ Association, Maria Moran. Maria's journey to the IMA is fascinating, starting from her days as a respiratory therapist, which she humorously notes was "before it was cool." Her transition into the manufacturing space and dive into lean methodology showcases a career built on improving processes and fostering efficiency. This background fuels her daily enthusiasm for her role at the IMA, where she feels she's providing the most holistic support to manufacturers she's ever offered.

The IMA serves as a critical voice for manufacturers in Springfield, engaging in lobbying efforts that have tangible impacts on the sector. Maria highlighted the IMA's role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a prime example of their work, from defining essential businesses to advising on vaccine distribution. The association's ability to review over 8,000 pieces of legislation last session alone is a testament to their dedication to understanding and influencing laws that affect manufacturers.

To learn more about Maria's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Chief Growth Officer of NaviStone, Ted Bray. Ted's philosophy is simple yet profound: it's all about people, teams, alignment, and achievement. His passion for working with amazing people to accomplish amazing things is what drives him. This ethos was evident from his days playing basketball, where the joy came not from winning championships but from being part of a team and contributing to a collective goal. It's a mindset that has seamlessly transitioned into his professional life.

At NaviStone, Ted leads a team responsible for driving the organization's growth. NaviStone specializes in understanding digital audiences for B2C businesses. They excel at audience analytics, identifying prospects likely to make a purchase, and facilitating meaningful interactions between clients and their customers.

To learn more about Ted's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder and Principal of PTIS Global, Brian Wagner. Mentorship is a powerful tool, and Ryan has been incredibly fortunate to have Brian as his mentor. His expertise in packaging, business, and strategy has been invaluable to Ryan's growth. Reflecting on their relationship, Ryan is reminded of a mentoring weekend that was pivotal in his career. Brian introduced Ryan to concepts that have since become the cornerstone of his professional philosophy.

Brian delved into the future of packaging and the challenges that the industry faces. At the heart of driving innovation lies the importance of people and processes. It's not just about the materials or the technology; it's about how to harness the collective strengths and diverse perspectives of those around us to push boundaries and create something truly revolutionary.

Brian shared his philosophy of not judging others but rather embracing the diversity of thought. This approach has been a game-changer in problem-solving, as it allows for a multitude of solutions to emerge from different perspectives. He encouraged us to pay it forward, a sentiment held dear as we continue to grow and connect with others in the industry.

To learn more about Brian's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.