The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast

Mike Konrad
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I’m your host, Mike Konrad, the author of The Reluctant Entrepreneur - Anatomy of a Business Start-Up - From Uncertainty to Unstoppable, available on Amazon as a paperback, e-book, and an audible book, and I’m excited to share real stories that reveal the many paths people take to build their own businesses.  Whether you stumbled into entrepreneurship or you’ve always known it was your calling, this podcast is for you. Let’s start with what it means to be a reluctant entrepreneur. Many entrepreneurs don’t set out with a grand plan to build a business.  Maybe you worked for a company that didn’t value your vision, and one day you thought, “I could do this myself”, that was my story. Or maybe life pushed you in an unexpected direction—losing a job, facing a personal crisis, or discovering a passion that grew into a business. Reluctant entrepreneurs often find themselves starting a business not because they always dreamed of it, but because it was the best—or only—option available.  And then there are intentional entrepreneurs. These are the people who’ve known from the start that they were meant to create something of their own.  They may have planned meticulously, crafted their vision, and followed a well-laid path to build a business. Intentional entrepreneurs are often seen as risk-takers, those with a drive to innovate, disrupt, and lead in their industries.  But even with all the planning in the world, intentional entrepreneurs face their own share of unexpected challenges, setbacks, and doubts. On The Reluctant Entrepreneur podcast, we celebrate both types of entrepreneurs—the ones who jump in with both feet, and the ones who tiptoe cautiously into the water.  So, join me as we explore the many ways people navigate the complex and rewarding world of entrepreneurship.  Whether you’re here for inspiration, advice, or just a great story, I hope you find something valuable in every episode of The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast.

  1. Playing the Long Game:How Baseball Shaped Uri Geva's Approach to Entrepreneurship - Episode 48

    2D AGO

    Playing the Long Game:How Baseball Shaped Uri Geva's Approach to Entrepreneurship - Episode 48

    Baseball teaches you very quickly that you cannot argue your way out of a bad call. The pitch is thrown, the call is made, and whether you agree with it or not, the game moves on. There is no replay in the moment, no time to dwell on what just happened. You step back into the box and prepare for the next pitch. That mindset translates directly to business. Deals fall apart, ideas miss the mark, and plans do not always work the way you expect. The only real choice is how you respond and whether you are ready for the next opportunity. Today’s guest is Uri Geva, co-founder of Cookie Dough Bliss, an edible cookie dough brand built around a franchise model.  Before becoming a business owner, Uri spent time in professional baseball, an experience that continues to shape how he approaches leadership, resilience, and growth as an entrepreneur. This episode is broken into two parts. In the first segment, we will talk about Uri’s journey from baseball to business ownership, how entrepreneurship entered his life, and the early challenges of building Cookie Dough Bliss.  In the second segment, we will dig into the lessons he has learned along the way, including handling setbacks, building a franchise system, supporting entrepreneurs through failure, and why focusing on the next opportunity matters more than dwelling on the last mistake. If you have ever faced a setback in business and wondered how to reset, refocus, and move forward, this conversation will resonate. Uri's Company Cookie Dough Bliss https://cookiedoughbliss.com

    46 min
  2. From the Classroom to the Real World: Dr. Christiane Schroeter's Entrepreneurial Pivot - Episode 47

    4D AGO

    From the Classroom to the Real World: Dr. Christiane Schroeter's Entrepreneurial Pivot - Episode 47

    My guest today is Dr. Christiane Schroeter. She began her career in academia as a marketing professor, surrounded by well-structured assignments, strong theories, and students who were doing everything right, at least on paper.  But over time, she began to see a gap between performance and real learning, between checking boxes and creating meaningful growth. That realization led her beyond the classroom and into entrepreneurship, where she built Petite Practice, a framework focused on personal and professional growth through small, intentional actions. As with every episode, we’ll break this conversation into two parts. First, we’ll talk about Dr. Schroeter’s entrepreneurial journey, the moment things shifted, the challenges she faced leaving a familiar environment, and the wins that confirmed she was on the right path.  Then, in the second half, we’ll draw on her expertise and talk about how leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals can apply these ideas to create sustainable growth without burnout. So if you’ve ever felt successful on the surface but disconnected underneath, this episode will resonate.  Christiane's Company Petite Practice https://doctorchristiane.com Christiane's TED-X Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K4cPvQ2zRU Christiane's Book: Petite Practice™ Planner: Small Steps, Big Wins: A Simple System for Daily Momentum https://tinyurl.com/5n8fb8d7

    55 min
  3. From Self-Destruction to Systemization:Todd Hagopian's Entrepreneurial Reckoning - Episode 46

    FEB 12

    From Self-Destruction to Systemization:Todd Hagopian's Entrepreneurial Reckoning - Episode 46

    On this podcast, we look at what it truly means to start, grow, and lead a business, through conversations with people who have experienced it firsthand. My guest today is Todd Hagopian, a business transformation expert, author, and former company owner who has led multiple corporate turnarounds and scaled and sold his own business.  Todd is best known for his work helping organizations identify stagnation, eliminate unnecessary complexity, and focus on what actually drives performance. But his expertise was forged through personal reckoning. Early success in his career was paired with extreme intensity, untreated bipolar II disorder, and self-destructive behavior that eventually forced him to confront how unsustainable his approach had become.  Losing the manic edge he once relied on pushed Todd to systematize what had previously been instinctive, leading to repeatable frameworks that he later applied across multiple business transformations. Today’s conversation is broken into two parts. First, we’ll explore Todd’s entrepreneurial journey and the experiences that shaped how he leads.  Then, we’ll discuss his approach to identifying stagnation, eliminating comfort, and making the hard choices that allow businesses to survive and grow. If you’re a business owner who feels busy but not effective, this episode offers a perspective worth watching. Todd's Company: https://toddhagopian.com Todd's Book: The Unfair Advantage: Weaponizing the Hypomanic Toolbox https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FV6QMWBX

    1 hr
  4. An Entrepreneur's Journey to Fix What Business Owners Misunderstand About Money with Jen Fizer - #45

    FEB 10

    An Entrepreneur's Journey to Fix What Business Owners Misunderstand About Money with Jen Fizer - #45

    Today’s guest is Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB & Co., a fractional CFO and bookkeeping firm that works primarily with blue-collar businesses, while also supporting companies across a wide range of industries.  Jen helps business owners understand what their numbers are actually telling them, especially when profit on paper doesn’t translate into cash in the bank. This episode is broken into two parts. In the first segment, we’ll talk about Jen’s entrepreneurial journey and how she found herself building a business focused on financial clarity and forward-looking decision-making.  In the second segment, we’ll dive into her expertise around cash flow, clean books, common bookkeeping mistakes, and how business owners can use accurate financial data to make smarter, more confident decisions. Jen's Company: MKB & Co https://millsknowsbills.com

    56 min
  5. Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever in Business With Anders Boulanger - Episode 44

    FEB 5

    Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever in Business With Anders Boulanger - Episode 44

    Today on the Reluctant Entrepreneur podcast, we're joined by Anders Boulanger, CEO and founder of Engageify, professional speaker, performance expert, author of Engage First, and once a magician who learned early how to captivate an audience and turn attention into connection.  For nearly two decades, Anders has merged performance, psychology, and human interaction into a business that helps companies re-humanize engagement in a world dominated by screens, automation, and distraction.  Through his work with some of the world's fastest growing brands, Anders has helped teams capture attention, deepen trust, and drive real results, whether it's on a trade show floor, on virtual stages, or in everyday sales interactions.  We'll unpack how a physics degree and a childhood filled with performing magic became the foundation for a business rooted in engagement strategy, explore why engagement is today's most critical competitive advantage, and discover how leaders can create meaningful connection in an increasingly noisy world.  Anders' Company: Engagify https://engagify.ai Anders' Book: Engage First https://tinyurl.com/yc2ypwre

    58 min
  6. The 10X Leap Mindset: How to Overcome Barriers and Scale with Purpose With Steve Walsh - Episode 43

    FEB 3

    The 10X Leap Mindset: How to Overcome Barriers and Scale with Purpose With Steve Walsh - Episode 43

    What stops most businesses from growing isn’t the market, the competition, or even capital. It’s the founder’s inability to break through their own growth barriers.  Today’s guest has spent more than three decades helping entrepreneurs make what he calls the 10X Leap, the shift from operator to owner, from plateau to scalable growth. If you’ve ever wondered what truly makes a company investable, or why some businesses stall while others break through, you’re about to hear it from someone who’s seen both sides of the table. Today, I’m joined by Steve Walsh, founder and CEO of Bison Equity Group. Steve brings more than 30 years of financial, investment, and business strategy experience, and he's built a firm focused on helping entrepreneurs scale, overcome growth barriers, and become more investable. He’s also the author of Make the 10X Leap, a book that lays out a framework for achieving significant, sustainable growth by improving what he calls an organization’s Scalability Factor. In this episode, we’ll talk about Steve’s own entrepreneurial path, the lessons he learned after years in corporate leadership, and the moment he decided to build something of his own. Then we’ll dive into his expertise, what causes companies to stall, what separates an operator from an owner, and what founders can do to prepare themselves and their businesses to make a true 10X leap. Steve's Company: Bison Equity Group https://www.bisonequitygroup.com Steve's Book: Make the 10X Leap https://tinyurl.com/4hy6fc5w

    53 min
  7. Blueprints and Business Plans: Lance Cayko on Leading a Design-Build Firm - Episode 42

    JAN 27

    Blueprints and Business Plans: Lance Cayko on Leading a Design-Build Firm - Episode 42

    My guest today is Lance Cayko, co-founder and principal of F9 Productions, a Colorado-based architecture and design-build firm. Lance didn’t start his career behind a desk. He began in the trades, working as a carpenter and contractor across North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho before earning his degrees in architecture and co-founding his own firm.  That hands-on background continues to shape how he approaches both design and business — with a focus on practicality, quality, and client experience. In addition to leading F9 Productions, Lance is also the co-host of Inside the Firm, a popular podcast where he and his business partner, Alex Gore, share honest insights about what it really takes to run an architecture and construction company. In this episode, we’ll talk about Lance’s path from the job site to the boardroom, what inspired him to start his own firm, how he balances creativity with profitability, and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, risk, and growth along the way. F9 Productions: https://f9productions.com Inside the Firm Podcast: https://www.insidethefirmpodcast.com

    56 min
  8. Comedy Meets Tech: Leanne Linsky's Journey from Stage to CEO - Episode 41

    JAN 20

    Comedy Meets Tech: Leanne Linsky's Journey from Stage to CEO - Episode 41

    Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a guest who knows how to get both laughs and launches. Meet Leanne Linsky, comedian-turned-tech-founder and the creative force behind Plauzzable. Leanne grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, and began her academic journey studying business management at the College of Lake County. She went on to earn a bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later a Master of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of California, Irvine. While her early career was rooted in business, Leanne discovered a passion for comedy. She trained at renowned institutions including Upright Citizens Brigade, Magnet Theater, IO Chicago, and The Second City.  For years she wrote, performed, and produced her own one-woman show, hosting open mics and weekly stand-up shows in both New York City and California. In 2019, sensing a shift in how live comedy could be delivered, Leanne combined her business savvy with her stage chops to found Plauzzable — a live online comedy club platform that helps comedians manage bookings, sell tickets, and connect with audiences around the world.  When starting a business, you can either laugh or cry. Clearly, Leanne chose to laugh! In this episode, we’ll explore Leanne’s unconventional path, from business student to open-mic host, from punchlines to pipelines. We’ll dive into the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and the lessons learned in building something new when the rules are still being written.  Get ready for an episode packed with humor, insight, and entrepreneurial wit. Leanne's Website: Plauzzable https://plauzzable.com

    1h 7m
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About

I’m your host, Mike Konrad, the author of The Reluctant Entrepreneur - Anatomy of a Business Start-Up - From Uncertainty to Unstoppable, available on Amazon as a paperback, e-book, and an audible book, and I’m excited to share real stories that reveal the many paths people take to build their own businesses.  Whether you stumbled into entrepreneurship or you’ve always known it was your calling, this podcast is for you. Let’s start with what it means to be a reluctant entrepreneur. Many entrepreneurs don’t set out with a grand plan to build a business.  Maybe you worked for a company that didn’t value your vision, and one day you thought, “I could do this myself”, that was my story. Or maybe life pushed you in an unexpected direction—losing a job, facing a personal crisis, or discovering a passion that grew into a business. Reluctant entrepreneurs often find themselves starting a business not because they always dreamed of it, but because it was the best—or only—option available.  And then there are intentional entrepreneurs. These are the people who’ve known from the start that they were meant to create something of their own.  They may have planned meticulously, crafted their vision, and followed a well-laid path to build a business. Intentional entrepreneurs are often seen as risk-takers, those with a drive to innovate, disrupt, and lead in their industries.  But even with all the planning in the world, intentional entrepreneurs face their own share of unexpected challenges, setbacks, and doubts. On The Reluctant Entrepreneur podcast, we celebrate both types of entrepreneurs—the ones who jump in with both feet, and the ones who tiptoe cautiously into the water.  So, join me as we explore the many ways people navigate the complex and rewarding world of entrepreneurship.  Whether you’re here for inspiration, advice, or just a great story, I hope you find something valuable in every episode of The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast.

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