Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein Michael Stein: Entrepreneur, actor, filmmaker, comedian & self help expert

Ken Schmidt grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, where the vibrant campus life of Penn State University in the 60s shaped his early years. Despite his parents' lack of interest in motorcycles—his mother being a nurse and his father an engineer—Ken developed a passion for them at a young age. Ken majored in marketing and embarked on a career in PR in Chicago, working across various industries, including the fascinating funeral industry. During a marketing association meeting, Ken discovered that no one wanted to handle Harley-Davidson's account due to its poor reputation in 1985. Undeterred, Ken saw this as a unique opportunity and passionately pursued it, feeling it was his calling.
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Ken moved from Chicago to Milwaukee to join Harley-Davidson at a critical juncture in the company's history. Tasked with improving the company's image and attracting investors, Ken faced the challenge of distancing Harley-Davidson from its negative associations with criminality and biker gangs. He and his team redefined the brand by emphasizing a lifestyle of freedom and community, making people feel good about themselves and part of a larger group. Through grassroots marketing efforts, Ken and his team engaged directly with riders, gathering feedback to understand their needs and improve offerings. By fostering a strong social aspect around the brand, they built loyalty and revitalized Harley-Davidson's image, leading to its resurgence.
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Ken's main message for businesses is to compete on identity rather than products. He believes in emphasizing unique human aspects and building strong emotional connections with customers, making the business more memorable, attractive, and distinctive. During financial hardships, Harley-Davidson couldn't rely on expensive advertising. Instead, Ken's team focused on grassroots marketing, organizing events and engaging directly with the audience. This personal engagement created a sense of community and loyalty, making customers feel part of something special.

Dr. Maged El Malecki is a distinguished dentist based in Boston, Massachusetts, renowned for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in the dental field. Born and raised in Damascus, Syria, Dr. El Malecki completed high school in Dubai and Abu Dhabi before earning his dental degree in Syria. In 1997, he moved to Boston to further his education, overcoming significant language barriers and financial challenges. During this period, he worked as a dental assistant while improving his English and passing the necessary exams to practice dentistry in the United States.
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Running a successful dental practice involves numerous challenges, such as finding the right location, acquiring proper equipment, managing logistics, and understanding business aspects like insurance, advertising, and client management. Dr. El Malecki emphasizes the importance of building and managing a competent team, noting that actual dental work is just a small part of the responsibilities. Dr. El Malecki is a strong advocate for oral health, recognizing its vital impact on overall health. He highlights the importance of preventative care, including regular dental visits, proper hygiene practices, and early intervention to avoid costly treatments. He also advocates for integrating dental care into overall healthcare, with insurance coverage reflecting this connection.
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One of Dr. El Malecki's innovative initiatives is Floss Time, an extension of Boston Dental that provides mobile dental services at workplaces. This pop-up dental studio addresses the issue of limited access to dental care due to time constraints, setting up in company conference rooms or unused spaces to offer convenient dental care to employees. This service has been particularly beneficial for institutions like UMass Boston, providing significant support to students and individuals with mobility issues. His innovative approach and dedication to improving access to dental care have earned him recognition and respect in the dental community.

Kofi Maafo is a serial entrepreneur from Accra, Ghana, inspired by his parents' entrepreneurial legacy in education. Starting his ventures at the age of 15, Kofi has navigated various industries including food supply, pyrotechnics, and sports management.
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His diverse entrepreneurial journey led him to found Boom Bar in Accra, Ghana, and expand to Atlanta with his hospitality ventures. Kofi is passionate about blending American and West African flavors, aiming to innovate and redefine dining experiences.
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Through his company, Blue Chip Hospitality Group, he plans to introduce more West African-inspired concepts in the US, integrating cultural elements and promoting diversity in the culinary landscape.

Sam Dolcine is a dynamic entrepreneur and real estate investor, known for his strategic approach to wealth accumulation and financial independence. From an early age, Sam displayed a natural aptitude for entrepreneurship, fueled by his desire to create opportunities for himself and others. Selling candy in high school proved to be his first taste of success, demonstrating his knack for identifying market trends and capitalizing on them. Despite facing obstacles, including the disapproval of his mother and school authorities, Sam's entrepreneurial spirit remained undeterred, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
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After a brief hiatus during college, where he pursued a degree in human resources, Sam rekindled his passion for entrepreneurship in his mid-20s. Recognizing the limitations of traditional employment, he embarked on a journey to explore alternative avenues for financial security and wealth creation. Sam's foray into real estate investment marked a significant turning point in his career. Leveraging his background in HR and keen business acumen, he sought out lucrative opportunities beyond his local market, ultimately finding success in out-of-state ventures. His decision to invest in affordable yet promising markets like Dayton, Ohio, showcased his ability to identify untapped potential and capitalize on emerging trends.
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Driven by a desire to share his knowledge and experiences with others, Sam launched a podcast to educate and inspire aspiring investors. Through his platform, he empowers individuals to pursue their financial goals and navigate the complexities of real estate investment with confidence. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Sam is deeply committed to personal and professional growth. He actively engages in estate planning discussions with his wife, ensuring a secure future for their family. With a focus on expanding his real estate portfolio and enhancing his media presence, Sam continues to push the boundaries of success and inspire others to do the same.

ichael Stein's life story is a testament to resilience and determination. Born prematurely with health issues and diagnosed with dyslexia and ADD, Michael faced numerous challenges growing up. Despite a difficult start, he drew inspiration from the movie "Rocky" at age 10, which motivated him to become strong and healthy. By 16, he became a physical fitness trainer and by 18, he ventured into entrepreneurship and acting, despite skepticism from his high school tutor.
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Michael's early attempts at business were unsuccessful, but he didn't give up. He explored psychology, business, and acting at community college and began a stand-up comedy career at 19. He quickly made a name for himself as a leading nightclub promoter in Hollywood, which led to his first acting role in "The Dirk Diggler Story," the precursor to "Boogie Nights." Throughout his 20s, Michael immersed himself in personal growth and filmmaking, producing documentaries and organizing major events. At 33, with only $13 in his bank account, he started a tarp business that grew into the multi-million dollar company, Abadak Inc. He also continued his passion for filmmaking, writing, directing, and starring in "Love Hollywood Style."
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Michael's journey from a struggling child with learning disabilities to a successful entrepreneur and filmmaker showcases his relentless pursuit of success. He continues to learn, grow, and give back through initiatives like "Tarp-Aid," which donates tarps to the homeless. His story serves as an inspiration to those who feel out of place or incapable, proving that with determination, anything is possible.

Jason Wojo, a dynamic speaker and entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success. Born and raised in New York, Jason experienced financial struggles early in life, learning valuable lessons about scarcity and money. Despite facing setbacks in his athletic pursuits due to health challenges, Jason's resilience and determination led him to explore various paths, from sports to culinary school to business.
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During his college years, Jason discovered his entrepreneurial spirit through a side hustle with Pokemon cards, which eventually evolved into a successful marketing agency. He embraced his unique personality and rejected societal expectations, believing that staying true to oneself is key to success. Jason's journey is a testament to the power of authenticity and perseverance in the face of challenges.
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As the founder of Wojo Media, Jason prioritizes radical transparency and personal fulfillment over traditional measures of success. He emphasizes the importance of playful exploration and following one's passions, inspiring others to do the same. With a commitment to continual learning and improvement, Jason shares valuable insights into entrepreneurship, including the necessity of careful scaling and financial management.