Ventures & Visionaries Podcast with Mordy Hackel

Mordy Hackel | KJ Technology
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Ventures & Visionaries is a business and technology podcast featuring candid conversations with founders, executives, and operators building what’s next. Each episode goes beyond headlines into real decision-making—leadership, growth, and the decision inflection points that shape modern business including cybersecurity & AI. Hosted by Mordy Hackel, co-founder of KJ Technology, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in technology operations & management, cybersecurity, and AI. https://venturesandvisionaries.com | https://kjtechnology.com

  1. 4d ago

    Choosing Trust Over Hyper Growth

    Most beauty brands are selling the exact same formula in a different bottle, and customers are starting to figure that out. Kate, founder of Dip, joins the show to unpack the trust recession happening across the beauty industry and why she built her company to run on the opposite of paid reviews and influencer hype. She walks through her path from studying economics to chasing a move to LA, falling into the beauty world by accident, and eventually building a sustainable hair care brand rooted in real relationships with independent retailers who tell customers the truth. Kate gets honest about protecting her formula, opening her own manufacturing facility after her contract manufacturer went bankrupt, and why she turned down hyper growth and big box retail in favor of staying close to her customers. She also shares her philosophy on hiring people smarter than herself, treating customer complaints as a gift to the whole team, and building a company that earns trust one bottle free bar at a time. Guest Introduction: Kate Assaraf is the founder and CEO of Dip, a sustainable hair care brand she launched with her husband Jonathan in 2021 after nearly twenty years in the beauty industry. She built Dip around plastic free conditioner and shampoo bars formulated by a veteran cosmetic chemist, with a focus on real performance over greenwashing and a distribution model that runs through independent retailers instead of big box stores or paid influencers. Kate has spent her career studying why people buy what they buy, and she has turned that into a company built on trust, transparency, and a refusal to chase growth at any cost. She was named 2024 Mompreneur of the Year by New Jersey Family magazine and continues to run Dip's own manufacturing facility with the same team that helped her build it from day one. Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7/ Website: https://dipalready.com/   Key Takeaways: Most beauty products are built from the same handful of formulas, and the packaging is what actually drives the purchase decision. Independent refill stores, salons, and surf shops act as the last truth tellers in commerce because the person behind the counter has nothing to gain from lying. Protecting a formula sometimes means walking away from a contract manufacturer entirely and building your own factory. Chasing big box retail and hyper growth can quietly bankrupt a founder once sales velocity slows down and the chargebacks start. Hiring people who know more than you do is not a threat to leadership, it is the thing that makes a company actually work.   Chapter Markers:  00:00 Intro  01:38 Falling Into Beauty by Accident  02:48 Why People Pay More for the Same Formula  05:35 Protecting Her Formula From Day One  09:00 The Trust Recession in Beauty  13:35 Solving One Hair Type Problem for the Whole Family  21:06 When Her Manufacturer Went Bankrupt  23:56 Hiring People Smarter Than Yourself  27:07 The Hidden Cost of Hyper Growth  30:15 Turning Profits Into Customer Goodwill  34:28 Return Fraud and Chargeback Culture  40:39 The Hidden Dangers of Plastic  42:22 Final Advice for Taking the Leap  42:55 Where to Find Dip Keywords: sustainable hair care, shampoo bar, conditioner bar, plastic free beauty, zero waste haircare, beauty industry secrets, sustainable beauty brand, Kate Assaraf, Dip haircare, women entrepreneurs, female founder podcast, small business growth, bootstrapped business, consumer trust, beauty industry marketing, founder interview, sustainable entrepreneurship, DTC brand strategy, eco friendly hair products, independent retail

  2. 4d ago ·  Video

    Choosing Trust Over Hyper Growth

    Most beauty brands are selling the exact same formula in a different bottle, and customers are starting to figure that out. Kate, founder of Dip, joins the show to unpack the trust recession happening across the beauty industry and why she built her company to run on the opposite of paid reviews and influencer hype. She walks through her path from studying economics to chasing a move to LA, falling into the beauty world by accident, and eventually building a sustainable hair care brand rooted in real relationships with independent retailers who tell customers the truth. Kate gets honest about protecting her formula, opening her own manufacturing facility after her contract manufacturer went bankrupt, and why she turned down hyper growth and big box retail in favor of staying close to her customers. She also shares her philosophy on hiring people smarter than herself, treating customer complaints as a gift to the whole team, and building a company that earns trust one bottle free bar at a time. 👉 Read the full Episode 19 show notes here. Guest Introduction: Kate Assaraf is the founder and CEO of Dip, a sustainable hair care brand she launched with her husband Jonathan in 2021 after nearly twenty years in the beauty industry. She built Dip around plastic free conditioner and shampoo bars formulated by a veteran cosmetic chemist, with a focus on real performance over greenwashing and a distribution model that runs through independent retailers instead of big box stores or paid influencers. Kate has spent her career studying why people buy what they buy, and she has turned that into a company built on trust, transparency, and a refusal to chase growth at any cost. She was named 2024 Mompreneur of the Year by New Jersey Family magazine and continues to run Dip's own manufacturing facility with the same team that helped her build it from day one. Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7/ Website: https://dipalready.com/   Key Takeaways: Most beauty products are built from the same handful of formulas, and the packaging is what actually drives the purchase decision. Independent refill stores, salons, and surf shops act as the last truth tellers in commerce because the person behind the counter has nothing to gain from lying. Protecting a formula sometimes means walking away from a contract manufacturer entirely and building your own factory. Chasing big box retail and hyper growth can quietly bankrupt a founder once sales velocity slows down and the chargebacks start. Hiring people who know more than you do is not a threat to leadership, it is the thing that makes a company actually work.   Chapter Markers:  00:00 Intro  01:38 Falling Into Beauty by Accident  02:48 Why People Pay More for the Same Formula  05:35 Protecting Her Formula From Day One  09:00 The Trust Recession in Beauty  13:35 Solving One Hair Type Problem for the Whole Family  21:06 When Her Manufacturer Went Bankrupt  23:56 Hiring People Smarter Than Yourself  27:07 The Hidden Cost of Hyper Growth  30:15 Turning Profits Into Customer Goodwill  34:28 Return Fraud and Chargeback Culture  40:39 The Hidden Dangers of Plastic  42:22 Final Advice for Taking the Leap  42:55 Where to Find Dip Keywords: sustainable hair care, shampoo bar, conditioner bar, plastic free beauty, zero waste haircare, beauty industry secrets, sustainable beauty brand, Kate Assaraf, Dip haircare, women entrepreneurs, female founder podcast, small business growth, bootstrapped business, consumer trust, beauty industry marketing, founder interview, sustainable entrepreneurship, DTC brand strategy, eco friendly hair products, independent retail

  3. Sep 2 ·  Video

    Creative Destruction: Ideas for Thriving in the AI Economy (VIDEO)

    In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with entrepreneur and technology strategist Drew Donaldson to discuss one of the biggest shifts in modern business: the collision of AI, automation, and human adaptability. After nearly a decade running a successful marketing agency, Drew saw firsthand how rapidly advancing AI tools were reshaping his industry. Rather than resisting the change, he made a bold pivot—transforming his business around automation, systems integration, and custom development. In this conversation, Drew shares practical insights on AI adoption, systems architecture, job displacement, self-worth, entrepreneurship, and why the people who thrive in the next economy will be the ones willing to continuously reinvent themselves. If you're wondering how AI will impact your career, your business, or your future opportunities, this episode is essential listening. 👉 Read the full Episode 18 show notes here. Guest Introduction: Drew Donaldson is a technology strategist, entrepreneur, and systems integration expert who helps businesses leverage AI, automation, and custom software solutions to improve efficiency and scale operations. After building and operating a successful marketing agency for nearly a decade, Drew pivoted into helping organizations navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI-driven business transformation.   His expertise spans automation architecture, API integrations, operational systems, and helping leaders understand where technology creates leverage—and where human value remains irreplaceable. Key Takeaways: AI is not simply changing industries—it is fundamentally changing business models. Companies that adapt early gain an enormous competitive advantage over those that wait. The future belongs to people who continuously learn and reinvent themselves. Custom systems and integrations often create more long-term value than disconnected software tools. Self-worth and identity play a larger role in career transitions than most people realize. The biggest risk isn't AI itself—it's refusing to adapt to a changing economy.   Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:30 Introducing Drew Donaldson 2:00 The Super Bowl commercial that changed everything 4:00 Why Drew pivoted away from traditional marketing services 7:00 Watching AI disrupt agency business models in real time 10:00 Reinventing a business while serving existing clients 13:00 From marketing agency to automation and systems integration 16:00 Proofs of concept and helping clients understand AI value 19:00 Build vs. buy: deciding between custom and off-the-shelf solutions 22:00 APIs, integrations, and eliminating system silos 28:00 The rise of AI-assisted development 31:00 What happens to jobs as automation expands 35:00 Self-worth, identity, and career reinvention 39:00 Why adaptability is the ultimate competitive advantage 42:00 Book recommendations and learning in the AI era 46:00 Career advice for the next generation 48:00 What business owners should stop doing today 51:00 How to connect with Drew 52:00 Closing thoughts Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Drew Donaldson, artificial intelligence, AI automation, systems integration, API development, digital transformation, AI consulting, future of work, entrepreneurship, automation strategy, custom software development, business innovation, creative destruction

  4. Sep 2

    Creative Destruction: Ideas for Thriving in the AI Economy (AUDIO)

    In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with entrepreneur and technology strategist Drew Donaldson to discuss one of the biggest shifts in modern business: the collision of AI, automation, and human adaptability. After nearly a decade running a successful marketing agency, Drew saw firsthand how rapidly advancing AI tools were reshaping his industry. Rather than resisting the change, he made a bold pivot—transforming his business around automation, systems integration, and custom development. In this conversation, Drew shares practical insights on AI adoption, systems architecture, job displacement, self-worth, entrepreneurship, and why the people who thrive in the next economy will be the ones willing to continuously reinvent themselves. If you're wondering how AI will impact your career, your business, or your future opportunities, this episode is essential listening. Guest Introduction: Drew Donaldson is a technology strategist, entrepreneur, and systems integration expert who helps businesses leverage AI, automation, and custom software solutions to improve efficiency and scale operations. After building and operating a successful marketing agency for nearly a decade, Drew pivoted into helping organizations navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI-driven business transformation.   His expertise spans automation architecture, API integrations, operational systems, and helping leaders understand where technology creates leverage—and where human value remains irreplaceable. Key Takeaways: AI is not simply changing industries—it is fundamentally changing business models. Companies that adapt early gain an enormous competitive advantage over those that wait. The future belongs to people who continuously learn and reinvent themselves. Custom systems and integrations often create more long-term value than disconnected software tools. Self-worth and identity play a larger role in career transitions than most people realize. The biggest risk isn't AI itself—it's refusing to adapt to a changing economy.   Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:30 Introducing Drew Donaldson 2:00 The Super Bowl commercial that changed everything 4:00 Why Drew pivoted away from traditional marketing services 7:00 Watching AI disrupt agency business models in real time 10:00 Reinventing a business while serving existing clients 13:00 From marketing agency to automation and systems integration 16:00 Proofs of concept and helping clients understand AI value 19:00 Build vs. buy: deciding between custom and off-the-shelf solutions 22:00 APIs, integrations, and eliminating system silos 28:00 The rise of AI-assisted development 31:00 What happens to jobs as automation expands 35:00 Self-worth, identity, and career reinvention 39:00 Why adaptability is the ultimate competitive advantage 42:00 Book recommendations and learning in the AI era 46:00 Career advice for the next generation 48:00 What business owners should stop doing today 51:00 How to connect with Drew 52:00 Closing thoughts Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Drew Donaldson, artificial intelligence, AI automation, systems integration, API development, digital transformation, AI consulting, future of work, entrepreneurship, automation strategy, custom software development, business innovation, creative destruction

  5. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Stop Grinding. Start Scaling. (VIDEO)

    In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with retired Air Force veteran, fractional COO, and Legacy Wealth Group CEO Tyrus Shivers for a powerful conversation about scaling businesses, building systems, and rewriting the narratives that hold entrepreneurs back.   Tyrus shares how military structure and mission-driven thinking shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and why so many founders get trapped in “doing” instead of designing scalable businesses. Together, they unpack leadership, delegation, capital raising, operational systems, Michelin-star-level standards, and the mindset shifts required to move from owner-operator to visionary CEO.   The conversation also dives into regulation crowdfunding, business continuity, abundance thinking, and why your business can only grow as far as your internal narrative allows.   If you’re a founder stuck at a growth ceiling—or trying to build something that lasts beyond you—this episode is packed with practical frameworks and hard-earned wisdom. Guest Introduction: Tyrus Shivers is a retired Air Force veteran, fractional COO, keynote speaker, and CEO of Legacy Wealth Group. He has helped businesses raise over $300 million in capital, built a seven-figure property management company in just 18 months, and developed the proprietary Legacy Business Operating System to help entrepreneurs build scalable, investable businesses designed for long-term wealth creation.   Drawing from military leadership, operational strategy, and capital formation expertise, Tyrus helps business owners transition from overwhelmed operators into strategic leaders capable of scaling sustainable companies. Key Takeaways: Most businesses plateau because founders stay stuck in “doing” instead of delegating and designing. Systems already exist inside most businesses—the challenge is recognizing and refining them. Your internal narrative often determines the ceiling of your business growth. Business continuity and adaptability matter more than perfect conditions. Raising capital requires clarity, transparency, and operational maturity. Mission-driven leadership creates scalable businesses and stronger teams. Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:30 Introducing Tyrus Shivers 2:00 Sponsor message: KJ Technology 3:00 How the Air Force shaped Tyrus’ approach to systems and scaling 5:00 Recognizing systems inside your business 7:00 Taking ownership of your narrative 9:00 Why businesses plateau between $1M–$3M 11:00 Doing vs deciding vs delegating vs designing 14:00 Common leadership bottlenecks 16:00 The questions that uncover hidden growth barriers 19:00 Scaling a business to seven figures in 18 months 21:00 Business continuity and adapting during disruption 23:00 Regulation crowdfunding explained 27:00 How founders can raise capital differently 29:00 The Legacy Business Operating System 31:00 Michelin-star restaurants and operational excellence 34:00 Raising standards vs replacing people 38:00 Abundance mindset and financial ceilings 40:00 Healing destructive business narratives 42:00 Rapid-fire entrepreneur questions 45:00 Final thoughts and sponsor close Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Tyrus Shivers, business scaling, operational systems, fractional COO, business leadership, regulation crowdfunding, raising capital, entrepreneurial mindset, Legacy Wealth Group, business continuity, delegation leadership, abundance mindset

  6. Aug 3

    Stop Grinding. Start Scaling. (AUDIO)

    In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with retired Air Force veteran, fractional COO, and Legacy Wealth Group CEO Tyrus Shivers for a powerful conversation about scaling businesses, building systems, and rewriting the narratives that hold entrepreneurs back.   Tyrus shares how military structure and mission-driven thinking shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and why so many founders get trapped in “doing” instead of designing scalable businesses. Together, they unpack leadership, delegation, capital raising, operational systems, Michelin-star-level standards, and the mindset shifts required to move from owner-operator to visionary CEO.   The conversation also dives into regulation crowdfunding, business continuity, abundance thinking, and why your business can only grow as far as your internal narrative allows.   If you’re a founder stuck at a growth ceiling—or trying to build something that lasts beyond you—this episode is packed with practical frameworks and hard-earned wisdom. Guest Introduction: Tyrus Shivers is a retired Air Force veteran, fractional COO, keynote speaker, and CEO of Legacy Wealth Group. He has helped businesses raise over $300 million in capital, built a seven-figure property management company in just 18 months, and developed the proprietary Legacy Business Operating System to help entrepreneurs build scalable, investable businesses designed for long-term wealth creation.   Drawing from military leadership, operational strategy, and capital formation expertise, Tyrus helps business owners transition from overwhelmed operators into strategic leaders capable of scaling sustainable companies. Key Takeaways: Most businesses plateau because founders stay stuck in “doing” instead of delegating and designing. Systems already exist inside most businesses—the challenge is recognizing and refining them. Your internal narrative often determines the ceiling of your business growth. Business continuity and adaptability matter more than perfect conditions. Raising capital requires clarity, transparency, and operational maturity. Mission-driven leadership creates scalable businesses and stronger teams. Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:30 Introducing Tyrus Shivers 2:00 Sponsor message: KJ Technology 3:00 How the Air Force shaped Tyrus’ approach to systems and scaling 5:00 Recognizing systems inside your business 7:00 Taking ownership of your narrative 9:00 Why businesses plateau between $1M–$3M 11:00 Doing vs deciding vs delegating vs designing 14:00 Common leadership bottlenecks 16:00 The questions that uncover hidden growth barriers 19:00 Scaling a business to seven figures in 18 months 21:00 Business continuity and adapting during disruption 23:00 Regulation crowdfunding explained 27:00 How founders can raise capital differently 29:00 The Legacy Business Operating System 31:00 Michelin-star restaurants and operational excellence 34:00 Raising standards vs replacing people 38:00 Abundance mindset and financial ceilings 40:00 Healing destructive business narratives 42:00 Rapid-fire entrepreneur questions 45:00 Final thoughts and sponsor close Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Tyrus Shivers, business scaling, operational systems, fractional COO, business leadership, regulation crowdfunding, raising capital, entrepreneurial mindset, Legacy Wealth Group, business continuity, delegation leadership, abundance mindset

  7. Jul 1 ·  Video

    You’re Not Stuck — You’re Invisible (VIDEO)

    Episode Description: In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with Dr. Stephanie Hills—former Fortune 500 technology executive turned leadership strategist and executive coach—for a powerful conversation about career growth, visibility, and thriving in the AI era.   Stephanie shares why so many high performers get overlooked despite strong results, and why performance alone is no longer enough to advance. She breaks down her framework of Performance + Image + Exposure, explains how leaders can balance humility with visibility, and offers practical advice for professionals who feel stuck or undervalued.   The conversation also dives into AI as a career multiplier, leadership in uncertain times, building influential networks, and why respectful disagreement creates innovation. If you’re ready to stop being overlooked and start accelerating your growth, this episode is for you. Guest Introduction: Dr. Stephanie Hills is a former Fortune 500 technology executive, leadership strategist, and executive coach with experience at organizations including NCR, Cisco Systems, and Scientific Atlanta. With a PhD in applied mathematics and software engineering, Stephanie now helps mid-to-senior level leaders increase visibility, accelerate promotions, and pivot into higher-impact roles through her Career Freedom Accelerator framework. Key Takeaways: High performance without visibility often leads to being overlooked. Career growth requires managing performance, image, and exposure together. Humility and visibility can coexist when rooted in service and team wins. AI should be seen as an amplifier, not a threat. Strong networks and relationships remain one of the biggest career advantages. Respectful disagreement creates better ideas, innovation, and stronger teams. Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:40 Introducing Dr. Stephanie Hills 2:00 From NASA researcher to executive coach 6:00 Why top performers get passed over 8:00 Performance + Image + Exposure framework 10:30 Humility vs visibility in leadership 12:00 Women and leadership perception challenges 14:00 Why relationships drive career success 16:30 AI as a career accelerator 19:30 Human in the loop: judgment still matters 22:00 Leading teams through AI transformation 26:00 Guardrails, governance, and failed AI pilots 30:00 Education, college ROI, and future careers 34:00 Why disagreement drives innovation 38:00 What to do when you feel stuck 42:00 Atomic Habits and momentum strategies 48:00 How to connect with Stephanie 50:00 Closing remarks Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Stephanie Hills, career growth, executive coaching, leadership visibility, getting promoted, women in leadership, AI careers, future of work, personal branding, professional development, networking strategy, leadership podcast Pull Quotes: “Performance gets you noticed once. Visibility gets you remembered.” “You’re not stuck — you’re invisible, and that can be changed.”

  8. Jul 1

    You’re Not Stuck — You’re Invisible (AUDIO)

    Episode Description: In this episode of Ventures & Visionaries, host Mordy Hackel sits down with Dr. Stephanie Hills—former Fortune 500 technology executive turned leadership strategist and executive coach—for a powerful conversation about career growth, visibility, and thriving in the AI era.   Stephanie shares why so many high performers get overlooked despite strong results, and why performance alone is no longer enough to advance. She breaks down her framework of Performance + Image + Exposure, explains how leaders can balance humility with visibility, and offers practical advice for professionals who feel stuck or undervalued.   The conversation also dives into AI as a career multiplier, leadership in uncertain times, building influential networks, and why respectful disagreement creates innovation. If you’re ready to stop being overlooked and start accelerating your growth, this episode is for you. Guest Introduction: Dr. Stephanie Hills is a former Fortune 500 technology executive, leadership strategist, and executive coach with experience at organizations including NCR, Cisco Systems, and Scientific Atlanta. With a PhD in applied mathematics and software engineering, Stephanie now helps mid-to-senior level leaders increase visibility, accelerate promotions, and pivot into higher-impact roles through her Career Freedom Accelerator framework. Key Takeaways: High performance without visibility often leads to being overlooked. Career growth requires managing performance, image, and exposure together. Humility and visibility can coexist when rooted in service and team wins. AI should be seen as an amplifier, not a threat. Strong networks and relationships remain one of the biggest career advantages. Respectful disagreement creates better ideas, innovation, and stronger teams. Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to Ventures & Visionaries 0:40 Introducing Dr. Stephanie Hills 2:00 From NASA researcher to executive coach 6:00 Why top performers get passed over 8:00 Performance + Image + Exposure framework 10:30 Humility vs visibility in leadership 12:00 Women and leadership perception challenges 14:00 Why relationships drive career success 16:30 AI as a career accelerator 19:30 Human in the loop: judgment still matters 22:00 Leading teams through AI transformation 26:00 Guardrails, governance, and failed AI pilots 30:00 Education, college ROI, and future careers 34:00 Why disagreement drives innovation 38:00 What to do when you feel stuck 42:00 Atomic Habits and momentum strategies 48:00 How to connect with Stephanie 50:00 Closing remarks Keywords: Ventures & Visionaries podcast, Mordy Hackel, Stephanie Hills, career growth, executive coaching, leadership visibility, getting promoted, women in leadership, AI careers, future of work, personal branding, professional development, networking strategy, leadership podcast Pull Quotes: “Performance gets you noticed once. Visibility gets you remembered.” “You’re not stuck — you’re invisible, and that can be changed.”

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About

Ventures & Visionaries is a business and technology podcast featuring candid conversations with founders, executives, and operators building what’s next. Each episode goes beyond headlines into real decision-making—leadership, growth, and the decision inflection points that shape modern business including cybersecurity & AI. Hosted by Mordy Hackel, co-founder of KJ Technology, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in technology operations & management, cybersecurity, and AI. https://venturesandvisionaries.com | https://kjtechnology.com

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