Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Eccentrics

Scott Turman
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Eccentrics is a podcast that explores the world of business through in-depth interviews with a diverse range of guests, hosted by Scott Turman. From a visionary entrepreneur who has turned dreams into a successful venture, to accomplished executives shaping industries, and eccentric personalities with unique approaches to business and life, Scott navigates through their stories with a blend of curiosity and expertise. https://eeae.co/

  1. 2d ago

    Alexis Sikorsky on Scaling Founder-Led Companies and Preparing for a Smarter Exit

    In this conversation, entrepreneur and advisor Alexis Sikorsky shares lessons from building, scaling, surviving, and ultimately selling a software company after nearly two decades. He explains why the skills required to start a company are different from those needed to scale one, why founders should focus on leadership rather than management, and why replacing a founder with an outside CEO is not always the right answer. Drawing from his experience growing a business from a small development firm into a company generating roughly $50 million in revenue and $10 million in EBITDA, Alexis discusses the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, the difficult decisions required to survive, and the mistakes that he believes cost him years and millions of dollars. He also outlines how founders should think about exit planning, valuation, financial independence, company metrics, private equity, M&A, cross-selling, and building a deliberate plan for growth rather than simply reacting to problems as they arise. Takeaways The skills required to start a company are different from the skills required to scale and eventually exit one.Founders can remain effective CEOs as their businesses grow, but they must develop into stronger leaders and delegate management responsibilities.Leadership and management are distinct skill sets, and founders should understand which role they are best equipped to perform.Entrepreneurs should expect major setbacks and build their companies with the assumption that difficult periods will eventually occur.Alexis believes better decisions could have allowed him to sell his company five years earlier and for significantly more money.Founders should begin preparing for an exit roughly two to three years before they intend to sell, rather than waiting until a buyer appears.A founder should understand the amount of money required to achieve personal financial independence before determining an appropriate exit target.Preparing for a sale includes understanding private equity, conducting due diligence on potential buyers, learning transaction terminology, and strengthening negotiating leverage.Founders need a small set of accurate, timely business metrics that can actually guide decisions, rather than delayed financial reports or overly complicated spreadsheets.Growth and exit planning should combine flexibility with a defined strategy, including decisions around organic growth, M&A, cross-selling, upselling, new products, and geographic expansion. Today's guest, Alexis Sikorsky, can be found at: Website: https://www.asikorsky.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-sikorsky-consulting/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords entrepreneurship, founders, founder-led companies, business growth, scaling, leadership, management, CEO, exit planning, business exits, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, M&A, EBITDA, valuation, recurring revenue, financial independence, due diligence, business metrics, KPIs, unique selling proposition, customer satisfaction, software companies, financial crisis, business resilience, cross-selling, upselling, organic growth, acquisition strategy, strategic planning, business planning, founder transition, business advisory, wealth creation, company performance, Agile, growth strategy, entrepreneurship lessons

    Alexis Sikorsky on Scaling Founder-Led Companies and Preparing for a Smarter Exit

  2. 6d ago

    Aman Verjee on AI, Market Bubbles, and Why Today’s Tech Boom Could Create Lasting Value

    In this conversation, Aman Verjee, founder and general manager of Practical Venture Capital, discusses how history can help investors and business leaders understand financial bubbles, technological disruption, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Drawing on his experience at PayPal, Sonos, 500 Startups, and in venture capital, Verjee explains how secondary investing can provide access to more mature venture portfolios after early-stage risks have begun to resolve. He also explores lessons from historic bubbles including Tulip Mania, the South Sea and Mississippi bubbles, the UK railway boom, and the dot-com era, distinguishing between speculative bubbles that destroy value and technology-driven bubbles that leave behind useful infrastructure and innovation. The conversation connects these historical patterns to today's AI investment cycle, the future of work, and the skills younger generations will need to remain valuable as technology reshapes industries. Takeaways Practical Venture Capital focuses on secondary investing, providing liquidity to limited partners, executives, and shareholders while gaining access to companies and funds later in their development.Secondary venture investing can help investors avoid some of the early losses and uncertainty associated with the traditional venture capital J-curve.Venture portfolios often become easier to evaluate after five to seven years, when weaker companies have declined and successful companies begin driving a larger share of returns.Financial bubbles throughout history often share recurring conditions, including prosperity, concentrated wealth, abundant capital, speculation, and expectations that prices will continue rising.The popular narrative surrounding Tulip Mania exaggerates its broader economic impact, with much of the speculation concentrated among a relatively small group of traders using forward contracts.The South Sea and Mississippi bubbles demonstrate how government involvement, financial engineering, aggressive promotion, and speculative enthusiasm can push valuations far beyond underlying business performance.Some bubbles can produce long-term economic benefits even when investors lose money, as seen with the UK railway boom and the dot-com era, which created infrastructure, companies, talent, and technologies that fueled later growth.AI may resemble these productive technology bubbles because intense investment is accelerating innovation, forcing established companies to compete, and rapidly expanding access to powerful new tools.Technological progress regularly eliminates certain job categories, but history shows that new industries, occupations, and opportunities tend to emerge alongside productivity improvements.Future workers should pursue areas where they have genuine ability and interest while developing strong AI literacy, technical fluency, critical thinking, and the ability to recognize when AI-generated information is unreliable. Today's guest, Aman Verjee, can be found at: Website: https://practicalvc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aman-verjee/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords venture capital, secondary investing, private markets, venture funds, limited partners, liquidity, J-curve, portfolio returns, power law, financial bubbles, economic history, market cycles, speculative bubbles, Tulip Mania, Dutch Golden Age, forward contracts, South Sea Bubble, Mississippi Bubble, John Law, Isaac Newton, UK railway boom, railway investment, dot-com bubble, internet economy, financial speculation, market valuations, technology investing, artificial intelligence, AI investing, AI bubble, technological innovation, economic growth, infrastructure investment, productivity, automation, future of work, workforce disruption, employment, AI literacy, coding

    Aman Verjee on AI, Market Bubbles, and Why Today’s Tech Boom Could Create Lasting Value

  3. Aug 10

    Ari S. Goldberg: How to Rethink Private Equity With a Digital Marketing Stack

    In this conversation, Ari S. Goldberg, founder and managing partner of RNMKR, shares how his early experience in New York City nightlife, digital media, sports, and entertainment shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and investing. He explains how relationship building, brand positioning, and disciplined execution helped him move from promoting celebrity events to working with major business and cultural figures, including the team behind LeBron James. Ari also breaks down RNMKR’s private equity studio model, which combines ownership capital with a full digital media and marketing team. The discussion explores his focus on profitable lower middle market companies, the value of repeatable operating systems, the limits of traditional venture capital, and why investors and operators should align around long-term equity growth rather than fees alone. Takeaways Ari grew up in a family of small business owners and developed an interest in entrepreneurship at an early age.His first major business began in college, where he built a profitable celebrity events and nightlife promotions company.New York nightlife taught him how to build relationships, manage high-profile clients, and create cultural relevance.Ari describes his core skill as making products, companies, and experiences feel desirable, valuable, and culturally relevant.His work with Maverick Carter and the team around LeBron James gave him early exposure to athlete-led business building and brand ownership.Ari believes innovation matters, but execution determines whether a business succeeds.RNMKR operates as a private equity firm supported by the infrastructure of a digital media and marketing company.The firm looks for profitable businesses that have strong operations but lack digital marketing, branding, content, and growth expertise.Ari uses repeatable systems, templates, and specialist teams to improve companies instead of rebuilding each strategy from scratch.He prefers aligned ownership models where investors and operators create value together, rather than models driven mainly by management fees. Today's guest, Ari S. Goldberg, can be found at: Website: https://rnmkr.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arisgoldberg/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arisgoldberg/?hl=en Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords Entrepreneurship, private equity, digital media, marketing, business growth, brand strategy, execution, investing, lower middle market, media companies, consumer lifestyle, technology, athlete branding, sports business, entertainment, venture capital, business systems, acquisitions, capital raising, family offices, investor relations, equity ownership, content strategy, social media, email marketing, influencer marketing, public relations, business operations, portfolio companies, deal flow

    Ari S. Goldberg: How to Rethink Private Equity With a Digital Marketing Stack

  4. Aug 3

    Pete O’Heeron on Fibroblasts, Cell Therapy, and Building What Others Overlook

    In this episode, FibroBiologics founder and CEO Pete O’Heeron shares how a career spanning hospital administration, medical devices, music, mining, and biotechnology shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. He explains the company’s work with fibroblast cells as a potential therapy for chronic disease and tissue regeneration, including the early research that led him to explore their use in spinal discs. Pete also discusses how he evaluates inventions, tests product demand, builds patent portfolios, and turns early ideas into marketable technologies. Throughout the conversation, he outlines the principles that guide his work: make progress each day, shorten project timelines wherever possible, understand that everyone is in sales, and focus on the patient or product rather than financial results alone. Takeaways FibroBiologics is developing fibroblast-based cell therapies for chronic disease and tissue regeneration.Pete believes fibroblasts may offer greater stability, easier handling, and stronger therapeutic potential than stem cells.The company began with research into using dermal fibroblasts to regenerate cartilage in spinal discs.Early laboratory and animal studies encouraged Pete to expand the company’s research beyond spinal applications.Pete built his career by moving between fields and learning new industries through direct experience.Hospital administration gave him a broad foundation in medicine, finance, contracts, operations, real estate, and people management.He believes every role includes sales because people must explain, support, and gain approval for their work.His main productivity rule is to move a project forward each day, even when the progress is small.He shortens project timelines by scheduling decisions earlier and asking for deliverables before the proposed deadline.He believes long-term success comes from serving the patient or improving the product, not from chasing financial results alone. Today's guest, Pete O’Heeron, can be found at: Website: https://fibrobiologics.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteoheeron/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords Fibroblasts, Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, Chronic Disease, Tissue Regeneration, Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Medical Innovation, Spinal Disc Regeneration, Cartilage Cells, Biologics, Therapeutic Development, Patent Strategy, Clinical Research, Animal Trials, Medical Devices, Surgical Instruments, Hospital Administration, Healthcare Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Product Market Fit, Product Development, Sales, Work Ethic, Project Management, Time Management, Venture Capital, Angel Investors, Mining, Music Industry, Record Labels, Tort Reform, Leadership, Equal Opportunity, Business Strategy, Patient Care

    Pete O’Heeron on Fibroblasts, Cell Therapy, and Building What Others Overlook

  5. Jul 27

    Sean Pieri on 52 Thursdays, Reconnection, and Redefining Success After Job Loss

    In this conversation, professional fundraiser and marketing executive Sean Pieri shares how an unexpected job loss led him to question his identity and redefine success. To find clarity, he committed to calling one person from his past every Thursday for a year. Those 52 conversations became the foundation for his book, 52 Thursdays: One Year, 52 Calls, and the Power of Reconnection. Sean explains how reconnecting with former friends, colleagues, teachers, and mentors revealed hidden struggles, revived forgotten memories, and showed him the value of deeper human connection. He also discusses the importance of defining success on your own terms, listening with intent, putting relationships ahead of career, and choosing to reach out before time or circumstance removes the opportunity. Takeaways Losing a job can affect identity as much as income or career direction.Sean began the 52 Thursdays project to explore how other people define success.One intentional phone call each week can create deep and meaningful conversations.Reconnecting with people from the past can help you rediscover parts of yourself.Success should reflect personal values, not outside expectations.Relationships, purpose, health, and family may matter more than career status.Digital communication makes contact easy, but it does not always create real connection.Strong listening means asking thoughtful follow-up questions and going deeper.Old memories, songs, news, and shared experiences can help identify people worth calling.The main lesson is to find a reason to reach out, rather than an excuse not to. Today's guest, Sean Pieri, can be found at: Website: https://www.seanpieri.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-pieri/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords reconnection, friendship, success, identity, job loss, career, relationships, purpose, phone calls, communication, active listening, personal growth, self-discovery, mental health, adversity, retirement, family, legacy, intentional living, professional fundraising, life lessons, human connection, networking, old friends, mentorship, community, work-life balance, 52 Thursdays, personal values, meaningful conversations

    Sean Pieri on 52 Thursdays, Reconnection, and Redefining Success After Job Loss

  6. Jul 23

    Bob Hart on Building TruAmerica Around Renters, Risk, and Workforce Housing

    In this episode, Bob Hart, founder and CEO of TruAmerica Multifamily, explains how he built a major real estate business by focusing on workforce housing and the often-overlooked “missing middle” of the rental market. He shares how the company acquires older apartment communities, improves them, and provides safe, clean, and affordable housing for renters who need practical options. The conversation covers his first real estate deal, the lessons he learned during major downturns, the role of debt and risk management, and the growing use of data, artificial intelligence, and global support teams in multifamily investing. Bob also reflects on entrepreneurship, career development, financial discipline, and the value of building strong technical skills before taking larger business risks. Takeaways TruAmerica Multifamily focuses on workforce housing for renters who need affordable, market-rate options.The company targets the “missing middle” between luxury apartments and subsidized housing.Its strategy centers on buying older properties and improving units, amenities, and maintenance.Small rent increases can create meaningful returns when applied across large apartment portfolios.Responsible ownership requires safe, clean housing and disciplined property management.Bob’s first real estate investment was a duplex purchased with a limited down payment and borrowed funds.Direct ownership helped him learn leasing, repairs, financing, management, and risk.Economic downturns taught him to avoid excess debt and use capital with care.Modern multifamily investing combines financial models, market data, local insight, and human judgment.Young professionals can benefit from learning engineering, banking, accounting, and financial analysis before pursuing entrepreneurship. Today's guest, Bob Hart, can be found at: Website: https://www.truamerica.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-hart-9a49a167/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords Multifamily real estate, workforce housing, missing middle, apartment investing, affordable housing, renters by necessity, property acquisition, value-add real estate, apartment renovation, real estate financing, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, underwriting, asset management, portfolio management, rent analysis, artificial intelligence, risk management, leverage, economic downturns, real estate cycles, entrepreneurship, engineering, banking, accounting, financial analysis, property management, institutional capital, private REITs, housing demand, rental markets, career development

    Bob Hart on Building TruAmerica Around Renters, Risk, and Workforce Housing

  7. Jul 20

    David Steele on Why We Should Rethink Retirement and Build Generational Businesses

    In this conversation, David Steele, founder and CEO of One Wealth Advisors and executive chairman of Flour and Water Hospitality Group, shares why he builds businesses to last for generations rather than preparing them for sale. He explains how service, long-term relationships, delegation, mentorship, and creative work shape his approach to leadership. The discussion challenges the traditional view of retirement and explores how people can keep doing meaningful work by removing tasks they dislike and focusing on areas where they have mastery. Steele also discusses the importance of setting authentic goals, building strong teams, and helping immigrant restaurant owners gain access to capital, coaching, and systems that can turn small businesses into lasting companies. Takeaways Generational businesses require a different mindset from companies built for acquisition.Strong relationships with clients, partners, and employees can matter more than a large exit.Business ownership can serve as a creative practice, not just a path to wealth.Retirement can cause people to lose purpose when they stop meaningful work without replacing it.Delegation allows leaders to remove routine tasks and focus on work that uses their strongest skills.Teaching, coaching, and mentorship can turn delegation into a tool for developing future leaders.A well-designed calendar can create space for work, travel, hobbies, and personal growth.Goals should reflect personal values rather than status, ego, or social pressure.Good mentors help people discover their own goals instead of projecting goals onto them.Immigrant restaurant owners need more than startup grants, they also need capital, coaching, and systems that support long-term growth. Today's guest, David Steele, can be found at: Company Websites: https://onewealth.net/, https://www.flourandwater.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-steele-76088a/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords generational businesses, entrepreneurship, financial planning, wealth management, restaurant industry, hospitality, business ownership, leadership, delegation, mentorship, coaching, retirement, purpose, goal setting, authentic goals, business scaling, team development, employee retention, client relationships, creative work, long-term thinking, legacy planning, nonprofit organizations, immigrant entrepreneurs, restaurant ownership, access to capital, private equity coaching, franchise value, succession planning, lifestyle design, time management, service, personal fulfillment, business strategy

    David Steele on Why We Should Rethink Retirement and Build Generational Businesses

  8. Jul 13

    Jackie Garrett on Scaling From a Kitchen Table Prototype to Retail Storefronts

    In this episode, Jackie Garrett, founder, designer, and CEO of Vilah Bloom, shares how a simple idea born from the challenges of motherhood became a thriving handbag and accessories brand. She explains how her patented diaper bag that dispenses wet wipes launched the business, the journey from sewing prototypes at her kitchen table to securing major retail partnerships, and how the company evolved into a customizable handbag brand with interactive bag bars. Jackie also discusses manufacturing, supply chain challenges, product development, hiring, leadership, retail expansion, and the lessons she learned through nearly 16 years of entrepreneurship. The conversation offers practical insight into building a product-based business, adapting to change, and creating sustainable long-term growth through creativity, resilience, and customer-focused innovation. Takeaways Vilah Bloom began with a patented diaper bag that dispenses wet wipes, inspired by Jackie's own experience as a new mother.The company's first prototype was handmade on her kitchen table using simple materials before evolving into a commercial product.Winning Best Diaper Bag at the ABC Kids Expo helped the brand gain early credibility and secure partnerships with major retailers, including Nordstrom.The business transitioned from primarily wholesale and ecommerce to a retail experience centered around customizable handbags and accessories.Vilah Bloom's Bag Bar concept allows customers to personalize bags with straps, charms, and monograms, creating a unique shopping experience.Small batch manufacturing and finishing products in the United States helped the company navigate supply chain disruptions and tariff challenges.Jackie credits much of her success to persistence, learning through setbacks, and adapting after difficult manufacturing experiences.Hiring and delegating responsibilities were essential milestones that allowed the business to scale beyond a family-run operation.Jackie's background in television sales, marketing, and retail provided valuable experience that helped her navigate relationships with major retailers.The company is exploring future expansion through additional retail locations and a potential franchise or ownership model. Today's guest, Jackie Garrett can be found at: Website: https://vilahbloom.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackelynn-k-garrett-a193a651/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.garrett.374/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords customizable handbags, handbag brand, diaper bags, patented diaper bag, wet wipe dispenser, accessories, bag bar, personalization, monogramming, handbag design, product design, entrepreneurship, founder journey, manufacturing, small batch production, supply chain, tariffs, wholesale, ecommerce, direct to consumer, retail, storefront, franchise, business growth, leadership, delegation, hiring, product development, vegan materials, sustainable materials, fashion accessories, branding, customer experience, inventory management, forecasting, Nordstrom, ABC Kids Expo, family business, innovation, logistics, scaling a business

    Jackie Garrett on Scaling From a Kitchen Table Prototype to Retail Storefronts
See All (73)

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Eccentrics is a podcast that explores the world of business through in-depth interviews with a diverse range of guests, hosted by Scott Turman. From a visionary entrepreneur who has turned dreams into a successful venture, to accomplished executives shaping industries, and eccentric personalities with unique approaches to business and life, Scott navigates through their stories with a blend of curiosity and expertise. https://eeae.co/

Information