Capital Class Adam Giery

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Skip Hansen. They explore the pressing issues facing the education system and the innovative solutions that Lifelong Learning and Learn4Life are implementing to make a difference. The conversation spans challenges pregnant teens face in school to providing industry connections and skills training for 18-year-old adults seeking jobs. Lifelong Learning is revolutionizing education by focusing on individual needs and creating opportunities for success.
Join us as we discuss the impact of AI on jobs, the crucial need for trade skills in our evolving workforce, and how Lifelong Learning and Learn4Life are positively impacting communities through their unique approach to education.
Timestamps
[00:00:55] How education can adapt to support diverse student needs.
[00:05:13] Young man gets a job, and can't attend school.
[00:09:52] Connecting kids to jobs through training.
[00:12:15] School boards need more business-oriented thinking. Inner city districts need more innovation for job preparation.
[00:14:36] Homelessness is linked to a lack of education and COVID-related gaps.
[00:18:24] AI threatens tech sector jobs, but not the trades
[00:21:09] The journey of scaling a niche business to serve kids.
[00:24:33] How a high school diploma changed a dad’s life.
[00:28:23] Expansion success with trained staff and support
[00:33:57] Dream: Major business owner sponsors school placement.
[00:35:30] Private-public school partnership: School 2.0 of the future.
[00:39:11] Education needs to change and schools must adapt and diversify.
Connect with Skip Hansen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skip-hansen/
Website: https://llac.org/

Produced by Old Soul

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of education and the challenges educators face. Our guest, Evan Erdberg, founder and CEO of Proximity Learning, shares his journey and insights into transforming the education system. From managing a team and remote instruction to the impact of COVID-19, Evan sheds light on the struggles faced by teachers and the need for innovation. 
Join us as we explore the importance of creating a supportive environment for educators while reimagining education for the benefit of our students.
Timestamps
[00:06:26] Teachers face new challenges and are leaving the profession.
[00:11:00] The education system is stuck in an outdated model.
[00:15:18] Innovative, student-driven education with professional teachers.
[00:18:37] Passionate educators deserve our gratitude and support.
[00:23:16] How a chemistry teacher shortage led to remote teaching.
[00:26:19] Funding, remote learning, and the uphill battle for education.
[00:28:56] Challenges Evan faced throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
[00:34:14] Student enrollment leading to change defines success.
[00:39:37] How a busy dad of three finds work energizing.
[00:45:21] AI tutor implementation in progress for students.
Connect with Evan Erdberg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-erdberg-0054921/ 
Website: https://www.proxlearn.com/

Produced by Old Soul

On this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Svetlana Elgart, the founder, and CEO of Rainbow Chef's Academy. Svetlana passionately shares how Rainbow Chefs Academy fosters literacy, math, history, and science through the art of cooking. Get ready to explore the hidden layers of knowledge that sizzle within every dish, enriching young minds with practical skills and essential wisdom.
Timestamps
1:17 - Importance of teaching kids how to take care of themselves and cook healthy meals
2:45 - Teaching kids life skills and making healthy choices in their diets
3:30 - Cooking incorporates literacy, math, science, and history
4:10 - American society's fast-paced lifestyle and its impact on health
9:08 - Hands-on component of the program where students make their own food
9:45 - Alignment of the program with educational standards
11:10 - Transition from in-person classes to a SaaS platform
13:33 - Success during the pandemic and delivery of food and backpacks
20:15 - Engagement level and understanding of students in cooking
23:00 - Starting the company to address the lack of healthy eating and nutrition education
27:10 - Challenges faced in starting the business and lack of awareness about nutrition
29:00 - Influence of immigrant background on persistence and determination
31:17 - Reflection on immigrant experiences and struggles
34:40 - Comparing daily struggles in Ukraine to live in the US
Connect with Svetlana Elgart
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svetlanaelgart/
Website: https://rainbowchefsacademy.com/

Produced by Old Soul

On this episode of Capital Class, we welcome Ryan Whittemore, an experienced venture capitalist. Whittemore shares their successful journey in the industry, breaking down the challenges and strategies they used to achieve their goals. They discuss the importance of developing a clear financial forecast, how to create a well-prepared deck for investors, and the process of finding solid businesses with long-term growth potential. Whittemore also talks about the sustainability of the venture capital market, how to handle feedback, and the importance of treating people right.
Join us for an insightful discussion on the successful path to becoming a venture capitalist.
Timestamps:
[00:03:02] Florida's tech scene thrives despite setbacks.
[00:06:47] Venture capital funding depends on strategy and diligence.
[00:10:12] Investors need to know what they're doing.
[00:13:18] Investments based on solid businesses, not fads.
[00:17:35] More deals mean better investment choices.
[00:21:34] Sleepless deal-driven nights, family struggles.
[00:26:27] Be prepared with a clear pitch deck.
[00:31:02] Feedback and persistence lead to success.
[00:35:44] Venture investment is challenging due to equity balance.
[00:41:57] Forecast revenue scenarios impress investors, be credible.
[00:46:03] Persistence pays off in the venture capital industry.
[00:51:42] Treating people right for successful investment business.
[00:54:41] Meeting Florida Funders, Tampa, Silicon Valley, progress.
[00:58:56] Intellectual and diverse with challenging ideas.
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Learn more about Strategos Group: https://www.strategosgroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategos-group-public-affairs/
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PODCASTS
🎧 Capital Class with Adam Giery: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast
🎧 On the Clock with Todd Dallas Lamb: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-the-clock
🎧 Swimming Upstream with Tom Luna: https://swimming-upstream.captivate.fm/listen
🎧 On Balance with Dr. Rod Berger: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-balance

Produced by Old Soul
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#educationmanagement #educationleadership #education

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Mohannad Arbaji, Founder and CEO of ChalkTalk, to discuss a journey that shaped the development of teacher-led and humanized personalized learning for students throughout the world.
Arbaji discusses his early beginnings as an international student that embraced a love for education as a vehicle of opportunity. He expands on entrepreneurial shifts that opened his eyes to the ultimate importance of finding tech solutions that provide teachers with the resources and support necessary to advance learning.
According to Arbaji, building education technology that listens to educators with actionable steps far outweighs promises of disruptive revolutionary change. Instead of asking teachers to spend hours training on technology, the most effective tech tools function behind the scenes, augmenting instruction for continuous student learning.
Listen to learn about the development of ChalkTalk, funding strategies, and lessons learned along the way, where passion for student learning and increased engagement act as an undercurrent of entrepreneurial growth.
What You Will Discover:
• 00:00 Episode Begins
• 02:50 Arbaji shares his coming to America story, plus the backstory of how ChalkTalk was founded.
• 08:10 How his Jordanian culture, love for education, and immigration inspired his drive.
• 13:07 Why building what people needed worked instead of disrupting or changing.
• 19:50 The importance of building technology that people need to solve their problems.
• 22:08 How ChalkTalk impacts students with confidence and motivation that tech doesn’t offer.
• 24:27 The exceptional qualities that make teachers great in connecting with students.
• 28:03 The features ChalkTalk is using to make life easier for teachers and reduce burnout.
• 30:37 ChalkTalk’s fundraising journey to bring in the right investors that add value and credibility.
• 35:48 The importance of driving for progress and staying in alignment with investors.
• 38:58 Top ways to measure a tech company's tangible and intangible progress.
• 42:46 How Arbaji relaxes to balance the pressure of work and life.
• 47:34 The fast-forward questions with Arbaji.
Connect with Mohannad Arbaji
• Websites: https://chalktalk.com/ & https://www.mohannadarbaji.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohannadarbaji/

Produced by Old Soul

The Impact of Innovative Technologies on Education
In this episode of Capital Class, we are joined by Scott Kinney, Chief Executive Officer at Discovery Education. Scott is a thought leader and influential voice in the education sector, dedicated to supporting the success of every student and teacher. His commitment is demonstrated in three decades of steadfast work and experience in the fields of professional learning and educational technology.
Scott shares the efforts behind building a business based on value and impact, including how Discovery Education accelerated growth during and after the pandemic. In addition, he explores the early days of the internet in education and the evolving environment that is better leveraging and implementing the growth of technology.
Listen in to also learn how technology is making a difference in the classroom by providing teachers with impactful digital tools that integrate and enhance learning objectives.
What You Will Discover:
• 00:00 Episode Begins
• 02:03 Scott’s journey as an educator and his love for the role of technology in education.
• 04:23 How Discovery started as a video-on-demand service in the early days of the internet.
• 07:16 How the early days of the internet looked like in the education sector.
• 09:20 How the education system is looking to leverage the growing technology.
• 13:37 How Discovery innovates and experiments with new technology.
• 16:16 The specifics that Discovery looks at when going for an acquisition.
• 20:58 The importance of developing a culture of “swing and miss” to innovate.
• 25:17 The top qualities Scott looks for in talent acquisition.
• 30:13 Why Discovery Education detached from Discovery Channel and the lessons they took.
• 35:53 The importance of staying on the path to making the biggest impact possible.
• 38:26 How momentum & the pandemic accelerated growth.
• 41:36 How technology is providing teachers with impactful digital tools that make a difference.
• 46:11 Scott on how he spends his time away from his business to refuel.
• 52:11 Four Fast-forward questions with Scott.
Connect with Scott
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kinney-2587053/

Produced by Old Soul