Design Your Life, Your Way: Personal Growth & Entrepreneurship.

David Gambill
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Discuss with the guest why and what got them going on the path to starting their own business or being their own boss. www.gngdesign.life and www,gngdesignllc.com

  1. 3d ago

    Burnout Wasn't the Problem—My Body Forced Me to Find Out

    What if the real problem was never your body, but the burnout, pressure, and mismatch hiding underneath it? Alenka Kyslik shares how a career built under immigration stress, a punishing work culture, and years of pushing through pain led her to create a smarter way to find care. Born in Canada and first drawn into a product career that put Wi-Fi on airplanes, Alenka’s story takes a sharp turn after health issues in Los Angeles leave her worse, not better. What starts as ankle injuries and confusion becomes a deeper reckoning with cumulative burnout, stress-related symptoms, and a system that often sends people to the wrong kind of support at the wrong time. We break down the product thinking behind the platform she’s building, including a matchmaking algorithm that evaluates the whole person instead of just a symptom list. Alenka shares how it weighs nine different inputs—from healing stage and care preferences to price, location, and lived experience—to recommend providers people are actually ready for. She also explains why leading questions can break the match, how provider validation works, and why human connection still matters even with smart software. You’ll also hear how she’s turning the idea into a real business with profile pages, booking, payments, HSA and FSA eligibility, HR partnerships, and embedded referral revenue. And because access is part of the mission, 2% of every transaction goes into a fund to help people afford care that insurance won’t cover. Perfect for anyone who has felt dismissed by traditional care, is navigating burnout, or wants to understand how product, psychology, and healthcare can come together to solve a very human problem. #burnoutrecovery #healthtech #wellnessjourney #founderstory #patientcare

    Burnout Wasn't the Problem—My Body Forced Me to Find Out

  2. 5d ago

    Why This Surfer-Scientist Spent 40 Years Fighting for One Safety Device

    A surfer-volcanologist-inventor spent 42 years chasing a solution most people never think about until it is too late: how to make lost people visible fast enough to save their lives. Dr. Rob Yonover reveals how a simple but brilliant idea became a military-tested signaling technology, and why safety innovations so often get ignored until tragedy forces the issue. From big-wave surfing in Hawaii to ocean-floor science with NASA and the Alvin submersible, Rob’s path reads like three careers colliding at once. He and David trace the wild route from Florida State geology to oil drilling in Texas, then into the invention that would define his life - the Sea Rescue Streamer, a deployable marker designed to help rescue crews find people lost at sea or on land. You’ll discover: How Rob used biomimicry and spreader bars to solve a problem that kept breaking every other designWhy the military liked the concept but pushed back on visibility, weight, and deploymentWhat happened when his technology was tested head-to-head against flares, smoke, and dyeHow a licensing deal, grant funding, and relentless media outreach kept the invention alive for decadesWhy he believes execution matters more than ideas, and why most inventors get that part wrong Rob also shares the personal cost behind the work, including becoming a full-time caregiver while raising a young family, and the mindset that kept him going through years of rejection. He talks openly about the frustration of trying to get safety adopted before there is a disaster, the surprise of Shark Tank, and the reality that lives are already being saved by a solution many institutions still resist. Essential listening if you are an inventor, entrepreneur, engineer, surfer, or anyone fascinated by the stubborn, messy process of turning one good idea into something that actually changes the world. Rob Yonover is the author of Hardcore Inventing and Caregiver Survival Guide, and the founder behind Sea Rescue Streamer. Social Media: “Rob Yonover” @ Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn  Technology website: SeeRescueStreamer.com Books and technology available at Amazon. #DrRobYonover #SeeRescueStreamer #InnovationStory #EntrepreneurMindset #SafetyInnovation

    Why This Surfer-Scientist Spent 40 Years Fighting for One Safety Device

  3. Sep 24

    Why Your Personality May Shape How You Invest More Than Logic

    Your money habits may be telling a bigger story about your personality than your portfolio ever could. Benjamin Tan—former investment banker, therapist, and author of Suit Yourself: A Portfolio Strategy for Every Personality Type—reveals why investing is often emotional, not purely rational, and how understanding yourself can lead to better decisions with money, work, and life. Benjamin shares how a decade in banking, a move from Singapore to the U.S., and an unexpected turn into clinical mental health counseling shaped the way he thinks about risk, identity, and financial wellbeing. He explains why the “right” career path is often just the one your environment expects, how his background in accounting and investment banking still informs his work as a therapist, and why his book blends the Enneagram, investing behavior, and pop culture to make self-awareness more practical and memorable. You’ll discover: How Singapore’s finance-driven culture pushed Benjamin toward bankingWhy his career shift happened after a life-changing training experience in substance abuse treatmentThe connection between personality traits and investing behaviorHow financial security supports mental health in ways most people overlookWhy he uses humor, celebrities, and movie characters to make self-discovery stickWe also break down the changing role of AI in mental health, from faster documentation for clinicians to its limits as a replacement for real human connection. Benjamin makes the case that technology can assist, but it cannot replace belonging, relationships, or the grounding that comes from actual community. If you’ve ever questioned your career path, wrestled with money anxiety, or wondered why some decisions feel irrational no matter how logical they look on paper, this conversation will give you a fresh lens. Perfect for anyone interested in mental health, investing, personal growth, or the hidden psychology behind the choices we make every day. Amazon book page   https://a.co/d/0fVhP8aO Author website  https://www.enneagraminvesting.com #MentalHealthMatters #CareerChange #FinanceToTherapy #SelfAwareness #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #FinancialWellbeing #InvestingPsychology #MoneyMindset #MentalHealthAwareness #CareerPivot #LifeTransitions #InvestingTips #FinancialIndependence #HumanConnection

    Why Your Personality May Shape How You Invest More Than Logic

  4. Sep 22

    The Marketing Strategy That Helped a Pool Cleaner Beat Bigger Competitors

    Most home service businesses fail for one simple reason - they’re great at the work, but invisible to the market. Dallin Huso built a seven-figure pool company, sold it, and now helps contractors and service pros turn marketing, hiring, and systems into real growth. What starts with a book like Rich Dad Poor Dad turns into a practical blueprint for building a business that doesn’t trap you in the day-to-day. Dallin shares how he went from knocking doors in Arizona to running Flamingo Pool, hiring early, systemizing everything, and creating a brand people actually remember. You’ll discover: Why door knocking was his starting point, but not his growth strategyThe organic marketing mix that actually snowballed resultsHow he built a UVP in a commodity businessThe hire-slow, fire-fast system that helped him avoid costly mistakesWhy SOPs became non-negotiable after one key employee leftHow pink trucks, local networking, and community-specific marketing helped him stand outThe hook-story-offer framework he uses for social content and paid adsDavid Gambill pushes into the hard questions behind growth, from competition and pricing to referrals, training, route planning, and the decision to sell. Dallin explains why being good at the service is not enough if nobody knows your name, and why too many owners wait until they’re overwhelmed before hiring the help they need. If you’re building a pool company, plumbing business, HVAC brand, landscaping service, or any home service operation, this episode is packed with real-world lessons you can use now. And if you want more freedom, more profit, and a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, this conversation is essential listening. #HomeServiceBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessSystems #DallinHuso

    The Marketing Strategy That Helped a Pool Cleaner Beat Bigger Competitors

  5. Sep 17

    The Foundation Every Fast-Growing Business Needs Before Scaling

    The fastest way to build something real is not by trying to do everything yourself - it's by learning when to say yes, when to say no, and when to finally stop building without a foundation. Tara shares the hard-earned lessons behind scaling, failing, and rebuilding companies that actually last.As the founder of Wildcard and Take It Easy Group, Tara has spent her career in the world of high-profile talent, chief-of-staff support, and entrepreneurship. But the real story is how she went from chasing rock stars across Canada as a teenager to running a 750K MRR executive assistant business - and then watching it crash because success outpaced structure. The result is a brutally honest conversation about ambition, blind spots, leadership, and what it really takes to sustain growth.You'll discover: why "never say no" works in one season of life and fails in anotherwhat Tara means by a business foundation, from HR policies to hiring and traininghow chasing 50 new clients a quarter can break a company that isn't built to hold themwhy character and trust matter more than raw skill when you're hiringhow authenticity becomes a business advantage when you're building a brandwhat it means to be an "accidental CEO" and why Tara is now focused on helping others like herTara also opens up about the surreal, unforgettable moments that shaped her perspective - including life on tour buses, working with major names like The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Gaga, Nickelback, and Justin Bieber, and the strange but revealing details that taught her how fragile even glamorous-looking careers can be.If you're a founder, operator, creative, or high-achiever who's scaling fast without a clear system underneath it, this episode will hit home. It's a sharp reminder that sustainable success is built on boundaries, leadership, and knowing exactly who you are - not on copying someone else's playbook.Perfect for anyone who wants to grow without burning out, build with more intention, and turn hard lessons into a stronger next chapter.Hashtags: #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Founders #ScalingABusiness #WomenInBusiness #AuthenticLeadership #BusinessStrategy #BeYourOwnBoss #SustainableSuccess

    The Foundation Every Fast-Growing Business Needs Before Scaling

  6. Sep 15

    AI Won’t Take Your Job—Someone Better at AI Will

    Most entrepreneurs are told to specialize and stay put. Norman Leach built a career by doing the opposite - stepping into chaos, fixing what is broken, and moving on before the work turns into stagnation. In this conversation with host David Gambill, Norman - entrepreneur, author, business strategist, business school instructor, and self-described "Chaos Navigator" - shares how a Ukrainian immigrant grandfather shaped his mindset, why a year in Japan changed his life, and how a political science degree unexpectedly led him into sales, marketing, and a career spent solving high-stakes business problems across 37 countries. You'll discover why he believes nonprofit work is one of the best launchpads for new grads, how small organizations teach faster than big corporations ever can, and why the "perfect" first job may be the one most students overlook. Norman also explains how he went from teaching himself into leadership roles to teaching in the classroom, where students now fact-check everything and expect real-time answers. He and David also tackle one of the biggest questions facing modern business: AI. Norman argues that the winners won't be the companies that use AI to cut the deepest, but the ones that use it to free people up for bigger opportunities. He draws a sharp line between tools that replace repetitive work and the human judgment that still drives growth, creativity, and leadership. If you have ever felt boxed in by corporate structure, curious about entrepreneurship, or unsure how to navigate the future of work, this episode will hit home. Norman's perspective is practical, candid, and deeply motivating - especially for anyone who wants more freedom, more challenge, and more control over their career. Perfect for entrepreneurs, students, marketers, nonprofit leaders, and anyone trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Contact Norman at his LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/normanleach #BeYourOwnBoss #MarketingMindset #CareerGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #AIinBusiness

    AI Won’t Take Your Job—Someone Better at AI Will

  7. Sep 10

    The Hidden Chaos of Moving Abroad — What No One Warns You About

    Episode Description: A business built on pivots, passports, and pure grit. Jennifer Sontag went from teenage entrepreneur and Macy’s buyer to social worker, then to China, and finally to helping Americans relocate to Spain and Italy with a high-touch immigration agency.Her story is a masterclass in reinvention. After selling her first boutique to Macy’s, Jennifer kept chasing work that actually fit who she was—even when that meant walking away from success, going back to school for social work, and starting over again. Then a YouTube-fueled leap abroad turned into a chaotic, life-changing chapter in China, where she navigated a broken setup, an illegal visa, a stolen passport, and a complete reinvention of what her career could be.You’ll discover: How Jennifer built her first business at 19 with help from SCORE and the SBAWhy she left a successful boutique life for social workThe China move that started with YouTube and ended in a passport rescueHow she and her partner built an immigration agency for Americans moving abroadWhy her business is shifting back to concierge-style, deeply personal serviceJennifer also opens up about the tension between scale and sanity, the emotional side of immigration, and why she’s intentionally choosing a smaller, more human business model over growth for growth’s sake. If you’ve ever felt stuck between what looks successful and what actually feels right, this conversation will hit home.Perfect for entrepreneurs, career pivoters, expats, and anyone thinking about starting over in a new country. Jennifer’s path proves that the best life changes often start with a bad plan, a brave decision, and a willingness to figure it out on the fly. #BeYourOwnBoss #WomenInBusiness #MoveAbroad #EntrepreneurStory #ImmigrationSupport #CareerPivot #Entrepreneurship #LifeAbroad #ExpatLife #StartingOver #BusinessJourney #WomenEntrepreneurs #DigitalNomadLife #Reinvention

    The Hidden Chaos of Moving Abroad — What No One Warns You About

  8. Sep 8

    5 Marketing Lessons From Building a Business on Alignment and Trust

    What happens when a high-powered New York marketing career stops feeling like success? Leslie Silverman reveals the gut-level decision that took her from Harper’s Bazaar and Condé Nast Traveler to a completely different life in Colorado—and eventually to building a brand strategy and web development company that helps experts show up as their truest selves. David Gambill and Leslie trace the moment she realized she was chasing the wrong version of success, why she walked away from the city, and how that leap eventually led to entrepreneurship, family, and a business built around alignment instead of performance. Her story is a sharp reminder that sometimes the life that looks perfect from the outside is exactly the one you need to leave behind. You'll discover: Why Leslie left a dream job, apartment, and relationship to follow a voice she could no longer ignoreHow she rebuilt from scratch in Colorado by returning to restaurant work before finding her way back into marketingThe strategy behind her “partner, not vendor” approach to branding, websites, and client relationshipsWhy favorite clients matter more than profitable ones, and how she uncovers that distinction in every intakeHow she uses word-of-mouth, referrals, podcasts, and networking to attract the right-fit clients without chasing cold leadsAI can make mistakes. Always check for accuracy. Leslie also breaks down what social media is actually good for, why email and podcasting can be stronger long-term assets, and how AI is changing the branding world without replacing the human conversation that makes strategy work. She shares why alignment, trust, and clarity matter more than flashy tactics, especially when the market is noisy and fast-moving.If you’ve ever questioned whether your work still fits who you are, or you’re trying to build a business that reflects your real values, this conversation will feel like a reset. It’s especially valuable for entrepreneurs, experts, and service providers who want better clients, stronger positioning, and a more sustainable way to grow. Leslie Silverman owns a brand strategy and web development company that supports experts with aligned branding, and she hosts the podcast A Category One. Her work centers on helping entrepreneurs communicate with clarity, credibility, and authenticity. Connect with Leslie Silverman: IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lesliesilvermanofficial FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman Website: https://lesliesilverman.com

    5 Marketing Lessons From Building a Business on Alignment and Trust
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Discuss with the guest why and what got them going on the path to starting their own business or being their own boss. www.gngdesign.life and www,gngdesignllc.com

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