Passage to Profit Show - Road to Entrepreneurship

Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart

The Passage to Profit Show is a nationally syndicated weekly radio show and podcast about entrepreneurism and innovation from multiple perspectives. Show hosts Richard Gearhart (a patent and trademark expert) and Elizabeth Gearhart (a startup entrepreneur), interview a variety of entrepreneurs, company founders, inventors, startups and experts from a range of industries. Each show presents listeners with real-life experiences, seen through the eyes of the different guests - providing valuable advice and a unique perspective on the Road to Entrepreneurship. From innovation to invention hang-ups, the show offers insight and expertise in launching a product or service, building a company, manufacturing, licensing, branding and much more.

  1. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurs: The Brand Messaging Mistake Costing You Customers with Craig Smith

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Professional Speaker and Multimedia Retail Consultant Craig Smith. What makes people buy in an age of AI, algorithms, and endless marketing automation? Craig Smith, professional speaker, brand messaging expert, and veteran QVC host who has helped sell more than $1 billion in products across 4,500 live television broadcasts, reveals why storytelling and human connection still outperform technology. Craig shares the simple framework behind memorable brands—being clear, real, and repeatable—and explains how businesses can build loyal communities instead of chasing one-time sales. He also shares lessons from a major product launch failure, why authentic communication matters more than ever, and how entrepreneurs can create messages that customers actually remember. Read more at: https://www.craigsmithspeaks.com/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

  2. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurs: How One Pivot Into AI Is Helping Businesses Become the Answer on ChatGPT

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Professional Speaker and Multimedia Retail Consultant Craig Smith, Chris Ryan from Chris Ryan Fitness and Jeff Sibel from Wealth Agent.  Every entrepreneur has one defining moment that changes the course of their business. In this segment of Your New Business Journey on of Passage to Profit, Craig Smith reveals the customer-first mindset that transformed his career as a QVC host, Chris Ryan explains how COVID accelerated the shift to virtual fitness coaching, Jeff Sibel shares why helping people avoid outliving their retirement savings inspired an entirely new financial planning mission, and Elizabeth Gearhart discusses how podcasting led to AI consulting and strategies that help businesses become the answer in ChatGPT and other AI search engines. Richard Gearhart also shares how a simple change to his daily routine dramatically increased his productivity. Whether you're building a business, embracing AI, improving customer experience, or adapting to change, this episode is packed with practical entrepreneurial lessons that can help you grow. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

  3. Jul 6

    Entrepreneurs: Building a Global Entertainment Empire Without Investors with Ryan Stana + Others (Full Episode)

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Ryan Stana from RWS Global, Joey Stiver from Amble Health and Ronald Platt from National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF). What does it take to build one of the world's largest live entertainment companies from scratch? Ryan Stana, Founder & Executive Chairman of RWS Global, shares how he transformed a theater degree and a vision into a global entertainment powerhouse producing experiences for cruise lines, theme parks, sports events, and the Paris Olympics. Ryan reveals how he bootstrapped his business without outside investors, scaled to hiring more than 8,000 performers annually across 50 countries, and explains why storytelling, disciplined growth, leadership, and human connection remain the keys to entrepreneurial success. Whether you're building a startup, managing a creative business, or looking to scale without giving up ownership, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring lessons. Read more at: https://www.rwsglobal.com/ What does it really take to build a billion-dollar company from scratch? Joey Stiver, Founder of Amble Health, shares the remarkable story of turning an $8,000 credit card into a healthcare and telehealth empire through relentless perseverance, bootstrapping, and innovation. Joey discusses surviving the difficult early years without outside funding, overcoming skepticism in a highly regulated industry, and disrupting healthcare by making telemedicine more affordable, transparent, and accessible. If you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, or business leader looking to scale a company, navigate regulation, and build lasting success, this episode delivers practical insights and inspiration you won't want to miss. Read more at: https://joinamble.com/ Ronald Platt, Founder of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF), shares how an idea inspired by his father evolved into the nation's first divorce insurance product designed to protect child support and alimony when life unexpectedly disrupts a family's finances. In this inspiring conversation, Ron explains how he identified a massive underserved market, built a first-to-market organization with virtually no competition, and created a growing network of resources that includes mental health support, divorce coaching, career services, mediation, financial discounts, and concierge guidance. Entrepreneurs will discover valuable lessons about identifying overlooked opportunities, solving real-world problems, and building a mission-driven business that changes lives. Read more at: https://www.nasdf.org/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas. Chapters (00:00:00) - Passive to Profit(00:00:26) - Canoe Fever: The New York(00:02:05) - How To Prevent Sunburned Pets(00:02:50) - SpaceX's IPO(00:03:39) - AI IPOs vs. OpenAI's(00:04:57) - In the Elevator With Ryan Stana and Joey Stiver(00:05:57) - The Decision That Most Changed the Direction of RWS Global(00:07:26) - Starting a Business as a Convicted Criminal Started a Business(00:08:07) - Decisions that Changed the Direction of Your Business(00:10:44) - In the Elevator With Ryan Stana(00:11:58) - What Makes for Great Live Entertainment?(00:12:49) - How To Start a Business on Broadway(00:15:15) - How World Wide Wills Global Hires Performs(00:18:15) - Employee Q&A(00:21:16) - Better Health Insurance for You and Your Family(00:22:16) - What Does a Day Look Like For You?(00:29:08) - Business Owners Roundtable: Using AI(00:31:10) - Are You Using AI in Your Business?(00:32:37) - Real AI Use Cases(00:34:54) - Debt Relief Hotline(00:37:20) - Bacardi Loses Again in Trademark Dispute With Cuba(00:40:37) - Bootstrapping a Billion-Dollar Healthcare Business(00:42:16) - What's Your Biggest Challenge? Starting a Business With No Capital(00:43:45) - Are You a Telehealth Company?(00:46:35) - Telehealth: How it works for patients(00:49:03) - Anti-Aging and Wellness: Glutathione In(00:50:34) - MonetMD CEO on the telehealth revolution(00:54:53) - Ron Platt on Starting a Divorce Association(01:01:24) - The Divorce Coaching Insurance(01:02:20) - How to Get Out Of a Divorce(01:03:25) - How to Get Child Support Back in the Money after Divorce(01:08:14) - Car Shield(01:09:35) - Noah Fleishman on His Best Memories(01:10:54) - Secret of the Entrepreneurial Mind(01:13:43) - Passage to Profit

  4. Jun 29

    Entrepreneurs: The $1 Billion Sales Secret AI Still Can't Replicate with Craig Smith + Others (Full Episode)

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Professional Speaker and Multimedia Retail Consultant Craig Smith, Chris Ryan from Chris Ryan Fitness and Jeff Sibel from Wealth Agent.  What makes people buy in an age of AI, algorithms, and endless marketing automation? Craig Smith, professional speaker, brand messaging expert, and veteran QVC host who has helped sell more than $1 billion in products across 4,500 live television broadcasts, reveals why storytelling and human connection still outperform technology. Craig shares the simple framework behind memorable brands—being clear, real, and repeatable—and explains how businesses can build loyal communities instead of chasing one-time sales. He also shares lessons from a major product launch failure, why authentic communication matters more than ever, and how entrepreneurs can create messages that customers actually remember.Read more at: https://www.craigsmithspeaks.com/ What does it really take to build lifelong health and fitness habits? Chris Ryan, Founder of Chris Ryan Fitness and one of America's Top 10 Trainers, shares why consistency matters more than motivation, how beginners can successfully start working out from home, and the mindset shifts that lead to lasting results. Chris discusses his journey from fitness modeling and national media appearances to becoming a founding trainer for Mirror, the fitness platform later acquired by Lululemon for $500 million. He also reveals practical advice on exercise, nutrition, habit formation, weight loss, and creating a supportive fitness community that helps people become healthier, stronger, and more confident at any age. Whether you're an entrepreneur, busy professional, parent, or someone looking to improve your health, this conversation delivers actionable strategies for building a better life through fitness. Read more at: http://chrisryanfitness.com/ What does it really take to retire comfortably without worrying about running out of money? Jeff Seibel, Founder of WealthAgent.com and creator of the Wealth Agent Institute, shares why he believes traditional retirement planning often falls short and how income-producing real estate can help create lasting financial security. Jeff discusses the importance of starting early, investing consistently, building retirement income instead of simply accumulating savings, and using real estate as a tool for long-term wealth creation. He also explains strategies involving rental properties, self-directed IRAs, 1031 exchanges, and retirement income planning that entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and everyday investors can use to build a more predictable financial future. Read more at: https://www.wealthagent.com/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas. Chapters (00:00:00) - What separates entrepreneurs who succeed and those who stall(00:00:17) - The San Antonio Spurs Throw Down the Knicks Fan(00:01:41) - Are Commencement Speakers Getting Booed?(00:02:59) - Dunkin Donuts Barbie Donut(00:03:54) - What's The Weirdest Food Trend?(00:04:37) - Caviar On Everything(00:06:18) - Fooled by Money(00:07:17) - The One Decision That Changed My Career(00:08:36) - What Decision Changed the Trajectory of Your Business?(00:12:56) - Craig Smith: Human Connection Is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage(00:17:28) - In the Elevator With QVC's Amy Holmes(00:18:24) - On Training QVC Hosts(00:22:42) - Car Shield(00:23:49) - Better Health Insurance for You(00:24:49) - Passage to Profit: Your Brand Message(00:28:34) - Craig Smith: Brand Messages that weren't Clear(00:33:12) - Craig Smith on ChatGPT(00:33:39) - AI Use Cases(00:34:58) - How to Use AI in Real Estate(00:38:56) - Real AI Use Cases Business Owners Roundtable(00:39:25) - Debt Relief Hotline(00:41:48) - The World Cup: What to Do About Intellectual Property(00:47:22) - Chris Ryan Fitness(00:50:38) - What do you tell people who hate Working Out?(00:53:01) - Trainers at Lululemon(00:54:21) - Chris Farrell on Contending With the Insane(00:57:03) - How to Eat Healthly While Exercising(00:59:14) - Chris Ryan on Helping People Through the Pain of Working Out(01:01:49) - 3 Foods That Are Destroying People's Health(01:04:24) - How to Retire Comfortable?(01:06:24) - Should Real Estate Agents Advise People to Buy Real Estate?(01:11:49) - Retirement Wealth: Real Estate vs. Stocks(01:13:52) - How to Plan for Retirement (Entreprene(01:15:28) - How to Pass Your 401k and Real Estate on to Your Agents(01:18:55) - Craig Smith: Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind(01:19:39) - Chris Ryan on How to Keep Your Success Secret(01:20:37) - How to Get Out There in the Real Estate World(01:21:20) - Be Prepared to Change Your Job

  5. Jun 28 ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurial Secrets: The Mindset Shifts That Create Bigger Opportunities

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with TV & film actor, Romaine Waite, Jeff Perera from Jeff’s Bagel Run and Deon Hargove from SmartInvestors App. Successful entrepreneurs know that mindset often determines success more than strategy. In this segment of "Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind", actor and producer Romaine Waite explains why letting go of rigid expectations can reveal unexpected opportunities, Jeff Perera of Jeff's Bagel Run shares why always saying "yes" keeps entrepreneurs learning and growing, and Deon Hargrove reveals how to overcome imposter syndrome and take action with confidence. Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart round out the discussion with practical advice on staying present, protecting your mental space, and building a trusted support system. Whether you're launching a startup, growing a business, or looking for fresh entrepreneurial motivation, this episode delivers actionable mindset strategies for long-term success.  Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

  6. Jun 28 ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurs: The Smart Way to Learn Investing Without Losing a Dollar with Deon Hargrove

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Deon Hargove from SmartInvestors App. Financial literacy is one of the most overlooked skills in entrepreneurship—and it could determine whether your business thrives or struggles. In this interview, Deon Hargrove, Founder of SmartInvestors App, explains why so many adults lack basic financial knowledge and how entrepreneurs can make smarter decisions by understanding investing, markets, inflation, and economic trends. Learn how simulated investing with virtual money helps users build confidence without financial risk, why studying market cycles like the dot-com boom can prepare founders for the AI era, and how embracing failure can lead to long-term success. Whether you're launching a startup, growing a business, or simply looking to improve your financial future, this conversation offers practical insights to help you invest more wisely and think like a successful entrepreneur. Read more at: http://smartinvestorsapp.com/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

  7. Jun 27 ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurs: From Layoff to a 35-Store Bagel Empire with Jeff Perera

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Jeff Perera from Jeff’s Bagel Run. When Jeff Perera lost his job at 42, he never imagined it would lead to one of America's fastest-growing bagel brands. What began as a promise to learn how to make authentic New York-style bagels for his wife evolved into Jeff's Bagel Run, a rapidly expanding franchise with dozens of locations across the country. In this inspiring episode, Jeff shares how he taught himself to bake through YouTube, leveraged social media storytelling, built a loyal community during the pandemic, and transformed a homemade hobby into a thriving national business. Learn powerful lessons about resilience, authenticity, customer experience, franchising, and creating a brand people can't stop talking about. Read more at: https://jeffsbagelrun.com/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

  8. Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    Entrepreneurs: How Romaine Waite Turned a High School Play Into a Hollywood Career

    Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with TV & film actor, Romaine Waite. What does a high school play, a decade-old screenplay, and a Hollywood acting career have in common? Romaine Waite shares how faith, persistence, authenticity, and relationships helped him build a successful career in film and television. From Star Trek: Discovery to creating his new movie His Namesake, this conversation is packed with lessons every entrepreneur and creative can apply. Listen now and discover why your biggest opportunity may already be waiting for you. Read more at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4582495/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas. Chapters (00:00:00) - Entertainer Romaine Waite on Passage to Profit(00:02:40) - What Is Authenticity in Your Acting?(00:03:44) - "The Acting Piece"(00:05:05) - In the Elevator With Jay-Z(00:06:26) - Tom Holland in 'Redemption'(00:06:55) - Writing the Script for '(00:07:30) - How Did You Pick The Cast For ''(00:10:21) - Car Shield(00:11:31) - Better Health Insurance for You Now!(00:12:31) - Entertainment Star Romaine Waite on Business(00:15:17) - How Did I Get My First Acting Role?(00:17:21) - Interviewing Romain

5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

The Passage to Profit Show is a nationally syndicated weekly radio show and podcast about entrepreneurism and innovation from multiple perspectives. Show hosts Richard Gearhart (a patent and trademark expert) and Elizabeth Gearhart (a startup entrepreneur), interview a variety of entrepreneurs, company founders, inventors, startups and experts from a range of industries. Each show presents listeners with real-life experiences, seen through the eyes of the different guests - providing valuable advice and a unique perspective on the Road to Entrepreneurship. From innovation to invention hang-ups, the show offers insight and expertise in launching a product or service, building a company, manufacturing, licensing, branding and much more.