Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonald A Starting with One Podcast

In this episode, Robin Bailey is joined by guest co-host Deb Voorheis in an interview with Lisa Taylor, president of Challenge Factory, igniting transformative, measurable change for people and workplaces. She is also the author of The Talent Revolution: Longevity and the Future of Work, a definitive guide to maximizing workforce value.

They discuss the origins of Challenge Factory's name and its mission to tackle the challenges workforces and leaders face. They also explore the future of work, including the need for lifelong learning, the changing nature of careers, and the importance of recognizing and valuing older workers. Lisa shares her experience as a young entrepreneur and the advantages and disadvantages she faced. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the return to work and the role of employers in facilitating a positive work environment.

"We're gonna have to continue to learn all the way through our careers and not just in like little bits of training, but actually significantly adjusting to shifts and changes, including making significant career changes along the way as the norm." ~ Lisa Taylor

Key Takeaways
The future of work requires lifelong learning and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and career paths.Older workers bring valuable soft skills and wisdom to the workforce, and age should not be a barrier to engagement and opportunities.Entrepreneurship can be a rewarding and satisfying career path, but it requires hard work and perseverance.Return to work should be approached with consideration for employees' needs and preferences, balancing remote and in-person work.Employers play a crucial role in creating a positive work environment and supporting the well-being and growth of their workforce.
Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, we meet personal branding expert Alan McLaren, co-founder of Strata Originals, a program that helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, leaders, executive teams and legal professionals discover their unique spark, navigate the digital landscape with precision, and build relationships that stand the test of time.

They discuss the importance of personal branding and how it can help executives build their reputations and deliver value to their audience. Alan shares his journey in business and highlights the power of storytelling and authenticity in personal branding. He emphasizes the need for CEOs to have a presence on social media and to share their values and expertise to build trust and attract opportunities. Alan's vision is to inspire leaders and create a positive impact through his work.

"People don't buy from companies, they buy from people." ~ Alan McLaren

Key Takeaways
Personal branding is not about selling, but about delivering value and building trust with your audience.Everyone has a unique story and expertise that can be shared to inspire and educate others.CEOs and executives can benefit from personal branding by building their reputation, attracting opportunities, and creating a positive impact.Having a presence on social media and sharing authentic content can help CEOs connect with their audience and build trust.Personal branding is about being intentional and authentic in how you present yourself and deliver value to others.
Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, Robin Bailey and guest host Josh Siegel sit down with entrepreneur Kirk Simpson, co-founder and CEO of goConfirm, a digital identity company that enables you to add trust to your everyday interactions with others. They discuss Kirk's decision to return to the startup world after a successful exit with his previous company, Wave. Kirk shares his motivations, including the fulfillment of working with smart and motivated people and tackling hard problems. He also talks about the challenges of transitioning from running a large company to starting a new startup, and the importance of maintaining a strong corporate culture during an acquisition. Kirk emphasizes the need for balance between work and personal life, and the importance of staying present with family. Overall, the conversation highlights the realities of being a tech founder and the dedication required to succeed.

Key Takeaways
Transitioning from running a large company to starting a new startup can be challenging, but also refreshing and inspiring.Maintaining a strong corporate culture during an acquisition requires open communication and addressing employees' concerns.Balancing work and personal life is important, and it's okay to lean in during intense periods of work while also being present with family.Being a tech founder requires dedication and resilience, and it's important to demystify the romanticized view of entrepreneurship.
"There's quite literally nothing like being in a room with smart, motivated people trying to tackle a hard problem." ~ Kirk Simpson

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

Matt Hibberd, CEO, and Meghan Reesor, COO, of Kameo Care, join us in this episode, exploring the benefits of on-site dental care for businesses and employees. For any organization looking to enhance its employee wellness platform, Kameo Care provides on-site oral health solutions for businesses, promoting a culture of wellness that helps prevent lost hours by decreasing absenteeism and increasing productivity. Matt & Meghan discuss the importance of prioritizing dental health and its impact on overall well-being. They also highlight the challenges and lessons learned from rapidly expanding their business and building a strong team. The future vision for Kameo Care includes expanding its services to other forms of healthcare and becoming a one-stop shop for on-site health services for companies in Canada.

Key Takeaways
Prioritizing dental health is crucial for overall well-being, as oral health is connected to heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.Rapidly expanding a business requires a strong team and a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.Offering on-site dental care reduces absenteeism and improves productivity by saving employees time and providing convenient access to preventive care.
"This is a fantastic service to bolster your employer brand and to utilize for talent acquisition and retention." ~ Meghan Reesor

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, Robin and Al sit down with Chris Bryce, the founder and CEO at Dotfusion, a digital creative agency. They discuss Chris's journey in the restaurant industry, how he transitioned into the digital space and his desire to create impact through technology. They also explore the concept of being a certified B Corp and the importance of sustainability and social responsibility in business. Chris shares insights into the trends in digital modernization, including the shift towards decoupling content from presentation, the impact of AI, and the importance of putting more into the world than you take out.

Key Takeaways
The restaurant industry can provide valuable skills and experiences that can be applied to other industries, such as digital agency work.B Corp certification is a way for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices.AI is transforming the digital industry by automating tasks, improving search capabilities, and enabling faster and more complex development.Leading with integrity, putting more into the world than you take out, and embracing individuality are important values in business and life.
"Folks want to work with organizations that are at least putting something behind their words." ~ Chris Bryce

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group 

In this episode, Robin Bailey welcomes guest host Joshua Siegal for an interview with Hyla Pollak, an HR/People expert with 25 years of experience whose mission is to foster positive, inclusive, and high-performance work environments that support growth and innovation. Hyla shares her career journey, starting in HR in the 90s and eventually becoming a director of sales for a startup. She discusses the importance of bringing HR into a company early on and the role of HR as a strategic partner. Hyla also talks about the lessons she learned from playing team sports, such as the value of teamwork, accountability, and resilience. She emphasizes the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations, but cautions against deconstructing the concept and instead focusing on creating a sense of belonging for all employees.

Key Takeaways
Bringing HR into a company early on is important for building a solid foundation and ensuring the success of the organization.Playing team sports teaches valuable lessons in failure, accountability, and resilience.Diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial for the success of a company, but it's important to focus on creating a sense of belonging for all employees.Failure is necessary for growth and success, and it's important to teach children and young professionals how to fail and learn from their mistakes.
"Success isn't the end game, it's part of the journey." ~ Hyla Pollak

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group