The Personal Side of Business Podcast

Jet Bunditwong
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

I connect with business owners, entrepreneurs and people living their dreams to tell their journeys and stories. My goal, is that if you are fulfilling your dream, you don’t feel like you’re alone and you can connect with these stories in some way. This podcast will interview people from all types of different business categories to show what their world is like.

  1. Sep 27

    From Corporate Jobs to Oakwell Beer Spa | Jessica & Damien Zouaoui

    They quit their corporate jobs, sold everything, and set off with two backpacks and one goal: find a business idea worth bringing home. A rainy day in Poland led Jessica and Damien Zouaoui to a beer spa—and eventually to building Oakwell Beer Spa in Colorado.   In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Jessica and Damien to talk about turning an unexpected discovery into a business built around hospitality, private spa experiences, and a plan to grow through franchising.   We explore the decisions behind the experience: private suites, a self-pour taproom, zero-gravity massage chairs, and a staffing model that draws from the hospitality industry. Jessica and Damien explain how listening to spa and restaurant owners helped them design around common operating challenges—and why creating systems from the beginning mattered just as much as finding the right idea.   We also get into the personal side of building a company as a married couple: dividing responsibilities, raising young children, learning to delegate, and finding the patience to let both the team and the business grow.   In this episode:   - Leaving corporate careers and searching for an idea across 25 countries - Adapting a European beer spa concept for American guests - Making hospitality and privacy central to the customer experience - Designing operations around staffing, reservations, and inventory - Preparing to franchise and choosing the right partners - Working together as spouses and business owners - Letting go of perfectionism, delegating, and developing patience   If you're starting a business, growing a service brand, or building something with your partner, this conversation offers an honest look at the choices behind an unconventional idea.   CONNECT WITH OAKWELL   Website and reservations: https://oakwell.com/ Franchise information: https://oakwellfranchise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakwellbeerspa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakwellBeerSpa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oakwellbeerspa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oakwell-beer-spa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OakwellBeerSpa   MORE FROM THE PERSONAL SIDE OF BUSINESS   Website and more episodes: https://personalsideofbusiness.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PersonalSideofBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalsideofbusiness/ Connect with Jet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jet-bunditwong-50937a4/   Follow The Personal Side of Business for more conversations with the people behind the businesses. If this episode connects with you, share it with someone building something of their own.

  2. Sep 27 ·  Video

    From Corporate Jobs to Oakwell Beer Spa | Jessica & Damien Zouaoui (W/ Video)

    They quit their corporate jobs, sold everything, and set off with two backpacks and one goal: find a business idea worth bringing home. A rainy day in Poland led Jessica and Damien Zouaoui to a beer spa—and eventually to building Oakwell Beer Spa in Colorado.   In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Jessica and Damien to talk about turning an unexpected discovery into a business built around hospitality, private spa experiences, and a plan to grow through franchising.   We explore the decisions behind the experience: private suites, a self-pour taproom, zero-gravity massage chairs, and a staffing model that draws from the hospitality industry. Jessica and Damien explain how listening to spa and restaurant owners helped them design around common operating challenges—and why creating systems from the beginning mattered just as much as finding the right idea.   We also get into the personal side of building a company as a married couple: dividing responsibilities, raising young children, learning to delegate, and finding the patience to let both the team and the business grow.   In this episode:   - Leaving corporate careers and searching for an idea across 25 countries - Adapting a European beer spa concept for American guests - Making hospitality and privacy central to the customer experience - Designing operations around staffing, reservations, and inventory - Preparing to franchise and choosing the right partners - Working together as spouses and business owners - Letting go of perfectionism, delegating, and developing patience   If you're starting a business, growing a service brand, or building something with your partner, this conversation offers an honest look at the choices behind an unconventional idea.   CONNECT WITH OAKWELL   Website and reservations: https://oakwell.com/ Franchise information: https://oakwellfranchise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakwellbeerspa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakwellBeerSpa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oakwellbeerspa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oakwell-beer-spa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OakwellBeerSpa   MORE FROM THE PERSONAL SIDE OF BUSINESS   Website and more episodes: https://personalsideofbusiness.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PersonalSideofBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalsideofbusiness/ Connect with Jet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jet-bunditwong-50937a4/   Follow The Personal Side of Business for more conversations with the people behind the businesses. If this episode connects with you, share it with someone building something of their own.

  3. Sep 7 ·  Video

    From Willy Wonka Dream to Sugar Science: Ian Kleinman of The Inventing Room (W/ Video)

    What happens when you combine science, entertainment and dessert? You get The Inventing Room—Denver’s one-of-a-kind sugar science experience created by chef Ian Kleinman. Inspired by Willy Wonka and raised in a family of chefs, Ian turned his childhood curiosity into a business where liquid nitrogen, culinary creativity and education come together. But building such an unconventional concept hasn’t been easy. Ian shares how a disastrous event in Aspen nearly wiped out the business. He also explains how The Inventing Room adapted during COVID, the importance of constantly experimenting and what it takes to impress one of the toughest audiences in business: kids. In this episode, we discuss: • Turning a childhood idea into a real business • Using science to create unforgettable food experiences • Learning from expensive business failures • Balancing creativity with profitability • Adapting the business during COVID • Managing food costs, safety and customer expectations • Inspiring children to become interested in science • Why believing in your concept matters This is a story about curiosity, resilience and taking a chance on an idea others might dismiss. Learn more about Ian Kleinman and The Inventing Room in Denver, Colorado. Purchase tickets for The Inventing Room Follow The Inventing Room on Instagram @inventingroom Check out more episodes for this podcast at The Personal Side of Business

  4. Sep 7

    From Willy Wonka Dream to Sugar Science: Ian Kleinman of The Inventing Room

    What happens when you combine science, entertainment and dessert? You get The Inventing Room—Denver’s one-of-a-kind sugar science experience created by chef Ian Kleinman. Inspired by Willy Wonka and raised in a family of chefs, Ian turned his childhood curiosity into a business where liquid nitrogen, culinary creativity and education come together. But building such an unconventional concept hasn’t been easy. Ian shares how a disastrous event in Aspen nearly wiped out the business. He also explains how The Inventing Room adapted during COVID, the importance of constantly experimenting and what it takes to impress one of the toughest audiences in business: kids. In this episode, we discuss: • Turning a childhood idea into a real business • Using science to create unforgettable food experiences • Learning from expensive business failures • Balancing creativity with profitability • Adapting the business during COVID • Managing food costs, safety and customer expectations • Inspiring children to become interested in science • Why believing in your concept matters This is a story about curiosity, resilience and taking a chance on an idea others might dismiss. Learn more about Ian Kleinman and The Inventing Room in Denver, Colorado. Purchase tickets for The Inventing Room Follow The Inventing Room on Instagram @inventingroom Check out more episodes for this podcast at The Personal Side of Business

  5. Aug 23 ·  Video

    How AI & Robotics Can Help People | Dr. Mohammad Mahoor (W/ Video)

    What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more human—but is still designed to help rather than replace us? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, professor, researcher, and founder behind Ryan, an AI-powered assistive robot designed to support caregivers and improve quality of life. Mohammad shares his journey from electrical engineering and early work in computer vision and facial recognition to studying human behavior and ultimately developing assistive robotics. We talk about what it takes to turn years of research into a real business, the challenges of fundraising and building a team, and why resilience and the willingness to pivot have been critical throughout his 12-year startup journey. We also dive into Ryan—an assistive robot capable of natural conversation, recognizing facial expressions and emotions, providing companionship, exercise and entertainment, and supporting caregivers in assisted-living environments. But the conversation goes deeper: How human should AI become? Where is the ethical line between creating technology that understands us and creating machines that imitate us too closely? Mohammad shares his perspective on the “uncanny valley,” human dignity, and why AI and robotics should empower people—not replace them. It’s a conversation about AI, robotics, entrepreneurship, resilience, and keeping humanity at the center of technological innovation. Learn more about Mohammad Mahoor and his work at dreamfacetech.com. If you would like to learn more about Jet Bunditwong and this podcast, check out personalsideofbusiness.com

  6. Aug 23

    How AI & Robotics Can Help People | Dr. Mohammad Mahoor

    What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more human—but is still designed to help rather than replace us? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, professor, researcher, and founder behind Ryan, an AI-powered assistive robot designed to support caregivers and improve quality of life. Mohammad shares his journey from electrical engineering and early work in computer vision and facial recognition to studying human behavior and ultimately developing assistive robotics. We talk about what it takes to turn years of research into a real business, the challenges of fundraising and building a team, and why resilience and the willingness to pivot have been critical throughout his 12-year startup journey. We also dive into Ryan—an assistive robot capable of natural conversation, recognizing facial expressions and emotions, providing companionship, exercise and entertainment, and supporting caregivers in assisted-living environments. But the conversation goes deeper: How human should AI become? Where is the ethical line between creating technology that understands us and creating machines that imitate us too closely? Mohammad shares his perspective on the “uncanny valley,” human dignity, and why AI and robotics should empower people—not replace them. It’s a conversation about AI, robotics, entrepreneurship, resilience, and keeping humanity at the center of technological innovation. Learn more about Mohammad Mahoor and his work at dreamfacetech.com. If you would like to learn more about Jet Bunditwong and this podcast, check out personalsideofbusiness.com

  7. Aug 4

    Pizza With Purpose: How Amy and Josh Baker Built Pizzabilities

    When Amy and Josh Baker’s daughter Grace graduated from high school, she wanted the same things as her friends: a job, greater independence and a place where she belonged. Grace, who has Down syndrome, struggled to find meaningful employment. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, the Baker family decided to create one. In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Amy Baker to share the inspiring story behind Pizzabilities—a San Diego restaurant creating meaningful jobs for people of all abilities. Amy opens up about starting a restaurant with no food-service experience, partnering with Ron Burner and the Nicolosi’s restaurant family, and expanding from one location to two in a matter of months. She also discusses the overwhelming demand for inclusive employment, the realities of running a mission-driven business and why great intentions still need strong operations and quality products behind them. The conversation explores how Pizzabilities trains employees according to their individual strengths, works alongside families and caregivers, and helps people experience the confidence that comes with earning their first paycheck and contributing to a team. What began as a way to create a future for Grace has grown into something much bigger—a business showing its community what people can accomplish when given a genuine opportunity. Learn more about Pizzabilities at https://www.pizzabilities.com/. IG@pizzabilities_ You can learn more about the podcast at personalsideofbusiness.com Also get a free quote for your business with Ergo Next Insurance at https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

  8. Aug 4 ·  Video

    Pizza With Purpose: How Amy and Josh Baker Built Pizzabilities (W/ Video)

    When Amy and Josh Baker’s daughter Grace graduated from high school, she wanted the same things as her friends: a job, greater independence and a place where she belonged. Grace, who has Down syndrome, struggled to find meaningful employment. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, the Baker family decided to create one. In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Amy Baker to share the inspiring story behind Pizzabilities—a San Diego restaurant creating meaningful jobs for people of all abilities. Amy opens up about starting a restaurant with no food-service experience, partnering with Ron Burner and the Nicolosi’s restaurant family, and expanding from one location to two in a matter of months. She also discusses the overwhelming demand for inclusive employment, the realities of running a mission-driven business and why great intentions still need strong operations and quality products behind them. The conversation explores how Pizzabilities trains employees according to their individual strengths, works alongside families and caregivers, and helps people experience the confidence that comes with earning their first paycheck and contributing to a team. What began as a way to create a future for Grace has grown into something much bigger—a business showing its community what people can accomplish when given a genuine opportunity. Learn more about Pizzabilities at https://www.pizzabilities.com/. IG@pizzabilities_ You can learn more about the podcast at personalsideofbusiness.com Also get a free quote for your business with Ergo Next Insurance at https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/L05MRM

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

I connect with business owners, entrepreneurs and people living their dreams to tell their journeys and stories. My goal, is that if you are fulfilling your dream, you don’t feel like you’re alone and you can connect with these stories in some way. This podcast will interview people from all types of different business categories to show what their world is like.

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