The Entrepreneur’s Studio

The Entrepreneur’s Studio
  • 4.7 (23)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

No matter how much you prepare, surprises are guaranteed when you run your own business. Who better to learn from than the people who have stood in your shoes? Success is not accident. Level up with the Entrepreneur’s Studio – an on-demand suite of lessons, tools and tips from entrepreneurs who have been there before, to help you to run and grow a better business.

  1. 20h ago

    Building a Billion-Dollar Industry Before It Existed | Blake Lawrence

    What if the biggest business opportunity of your career didn't exist yet? Long before college athletes could earn money through NIL, Blake Lawrence saw a future that everyone else thought was impossible. Instead of waiting for the rules to change, he spent years building the technology and infrastructure that would eventually power one of the fastest-growing industries in sports. Blake Lawrence is the co-founder of Opendorse, the leading athlete marketplace and NIL technology platform used by more than 200,000 athletes worldwide. A former Nebraska linebacker whose football career ended unexpectedly after multiple concussions, Blake transformed personal adversity into a mission to help athletes build careers that extend far beyond the game. In this episode, Blake shares the entrepreneurial journey behind Opendorse, the risks of building a company years before its market existed, and what founders can learn about betting on the future. He also explains how NIL is transforming college athletics, why today's student-athletes are becoming entrepreneurs at 18 years old, and what business leaders can learn from hiring athletes and investing in personal brands. Key Points  Why building for the future often means solving problems before the market exists.  How NIL is creating a new generation of entrepreneurs by teaching athletes business, branding, and financial responsibility.  Why founders should embrace coaching, build around core values, and know when it's time to bring in experienced leadership. Quote from the Episode "You never know when your last play is going to be... so make the most of every opportunity."— Blake Lawrence Resources & Links Blake Lawrence Website: https://opendorse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakelawrence/ X: https://x.com/blakelawrence If this conversation challenged the way you think about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building for the future, subscribe to The Entrepreneur's Studio and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Then share this episode with an entrepreneur, founder, coach, or student-athlete who could benefit from Blake's perspective on creating opportunity before everyone else sees it. https://www.auris.io/ https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Building a Billion-Dollar Industry Before It Existed | Blake Lawrence

  2. Aug 18

    Why Great Employees Really Leave | Dick Finnegan

    Employee turnover isn't just expensive, it's often preventable. In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Studio, Chris Allen sits down with employee retention expert Dick Finnegan to discuss why most organizations approach retention the wrong way. Drawing from decades of experience helping companies around the world reduce turnover, Dick explains why accountability starts with managers—not HR—and why building trust is the single biggest factor in keeping great employees. From practical leadership frameworks to unforgettable stories from global consulting engagements, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for founders, executives, HR leaders, and people managers who want to build stronger teams and reduce costly turnover. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why manager accountability has a greater impact on retention than employee engagement surveys.  How Stay Interviews uncover issues before employees decide to leave.  Practical leadership habits that build trust, improve engagement, and reduce turnover. Resources & Links Learn more about Dick Finnegan:  https://www.finneganinstitute.com/ https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Why Great Employees Really Leave | Dick Finnegan

  3. Aug 11

    The Hidden Cost of How You Pay People | Nicole Armstrong

    Pay isn't just a number on a paycheck. It's one of the clearest signals employees receive about how much their work is valued. Yet many organizations unknowingly rely on outdated compensation systems that create mistrust, increase turnover, and make hiring even more difficult. In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Studio, Chris Allen sits down with Nicole Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Ellequate, to explore the hidden costs of outdated compensation systems and why the best companies are building transparent, data-driven pay strategies that strengthen culture and improve performance. Whether you're a founder, CEO, HR leader, or people manager, this conversation offers actionable insights for creating compensation practices that strengthen culture, improve retention, and better align pay with organizational strategy. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why market-based compensation alone often creates long-term pay inequities.  How transparent and explainable pay systems improve trust, retention, and hiring.  Practical steps leaders can take to build compensation strategies that reflect the true value of work. Resources & Links Connect with Nicole Armstrong  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-armstrong/ Eloquate: https://eloquate.ai/https://www.ellequate.com/fair-pay-indexhttps://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    The Hidden Cost of How You Pay People | Nicole Armstrong

  4. Aug 4

    Family, Leadership, and Playing The Long Game | Mario Lopez

    What if the secret to long-term success isn't working harder, but staying true to who you are?  In Part Two of our conversation, Mario Lopez shares why the strongest careers are built on strong values. From family and leadership to authenticity and relationships, he explains how playing the long game has shaped both his personal life and professional success.  Mario Lopez is an actor, television host, entrepreneur, and bestselling author whose career has spanned more than 40 years. Best known for his role as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, Mario has become one of entertainment's most enduring personalities through his work as a television host, producer, radio personality, and entrepreneur.  In Part Two, the conversation shifts from career to character. Mario shares how meaningful relationships have created unexpected opportunities throughout his career, why his wife has been the anchor behind his success, and how leading by example has shaped the way he parents and builds teams. He also discusses protecting your personal brand by saying "no" to opportunities that don't align with your values, surrounding yourself with the right people, and why authenticity, not trends, is the key to lasting influence.  Key Points  Why relationships, humility, and a strong reputation often create the greatest opportunities. How family, leadership, and surrounding yourself with the right people provide the foundation for long-term success. Why authenticity, consistency, and playing the long game will always outlast chasing the latest trend. Quote from the Episode  "The audience is smart. They respond to authenticity. They can tell when someone's phony and someone's not." — Mario Lopez  Resources & Links  Mario Lopez Website: https://www.mariolopez.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariolopez  If this conversation encouraged you to think differently about leadership, relationships, and building a life of lasting impact, subscribe to The Entrepreneur's Studio and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Then share this episode with a leader, entrepreneur, or friend who could benefit from Mario's reminder that the strongest brands—and the strongest lives—are built by staying true to who you are.  https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Family, Leadership, and Playing The Long Game | Mario Lopez

  5. Jul 28

    Career Longevity and Building A Personal Brand | Mario Lopez

    How do you build a career that lasts for decades instead of chasing your next success? Most people know Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell, but that role was only the beginning. In this episode, Mario shares the mindset, discipline, and personal branding principles that helped him reinvent himself and build a career that has remained relevant for more than four decades. Mario Lopez is an actor, television host, entrepreneur, and bestselling author whose career has spanned more than 40 years. Best known for his role as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, Mario has successfully evolved into one of entertainment's most recognizable personalities as the longtime host of Access Hollywood, a nationally syndicated radio host, producer, and entrepreneur. Success isn't built on one defining moment. It's built through continual reinvention. In Part One of this conversation, Mario reflects on growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants, navigating the challenges of child stardom, and learning to pivot when opportunities changed. He shares how Dick Clark challenged him to think beyond acting and build the Mario Lopez brand, along with the daily disciplines and values that have fueled his longevity in entertainment and business. Key Points Why your greatest success should never become your identity—and how learning to pivot creates long-term opportunities.The mentorship from Dick Clark that transformed Mario's approach to personal branding and career longevity.Why discipline, consistency, and staying true to your values matter more than chasing trends. "Once people are comfortable being in their living room with you as yourself, then you can be there for the next 50 years." — Mario Lopez Resources & Links Mario Lopez Website: https://www.mariolopez.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariolopez Be sure to join us next week for Part Two of our conversation with Mario, where we move beyond career strategy and explore the values, relationships, and leadership principles that have shaped both his personal life and professional success. https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Career Longevity and Building A Personal Brand | Mario Lopez

  6. Jul 21

    AI Implementation and The Modern Workplace | Arturo Ferreira

    How do you prepare your business for AI when the biggest challenge isn't the technology, but the people expected to use it? Artificial intelligence is changing the way organizations operate, but successful implementation requires far more than new software. It demands new ways of thinking, new habits, and leaders who can help people adapt to a rapidly changing workplace. Arturo Ferreira is an AI educator, business owner, and workplace strategist who helps organizations navigate the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of work. Drawing from his experience implementing AI inside businesses, Arturo focuses on helping leaders move beyond the hype to build practical, responsible strategies for AI adoption. In this episode, host Chris Allen and Arturo explore why AI implementation is ultimately a leadership challenge rather than a technology challenge. They unpack how large language models actually work, why critical thinking is becoming more valuable—not less—in an AI-driven world, and what organizations can do today to build cultures that embrace innovation while keeping people at the center. Arturo also shares practical guidance for business owners, HR leaders, and employees who want to prepare themselves for the next wave of workplace transformation. Key Points Why successful AI implementation depends more on culture, leadership, and human adoption than on the technology itself.How leaders can build AI-ready organizations by creating governance, developing internal champions, and helping employees learn to think alongside AI.Why critical thinking, curiosity, and adaptability will become the most valuable competitive advantages in the modern workplace.Quote from the Episode "AI isn't taking anybody's jobs… it's coming for a lot of job processes." — Arturo Ferreira Resources & Links Arturo Ferreira LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturoferreira/ If this conversation challenged the way you think about AI, leadership, and the future of work, subscribe to The Entrepreneur's Studio and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Then share this episode with a business owner, executive, or team leader who's looking to build an organization that's ready for what's next. https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    AI Implementation and The Modern Workplace | Arturo Ferreira

  7. Jul 14

    Disrupting HR: Lessons in Curiosity, Influence, and Building a Global Movement | Jennifer McClure

    Jennifer McClure, founder of Disrupt HR, explains why curiosity, not authority, is what earns leaders influence. Topics Covered: •       How Jennifer went from corporate HR to founding a global movement •       Why a “seat at the table” isn’t the same as having influence •       The difference between giving advice and real coaching •       What it means to lead as a “strategic” HR leader After nearly two decades in corporate HR, Jennifer McClure kept running into the same wall: being in the room wasn’t the same as being heard. What she learned instead changed how she leads and eventually launched a global movement. Jennifer believes HR is the most important job in any company, not because of rank, but because it’s the one role that touches every employee. That conviction led her to found Disrupt HR in 2013, now 170+ communities strong in 28 countries. Her biggest shift came from blunt feedback: people didn’t want her in meetings because she only pointed out what couldn’t be done. Her fix was simple; ask “tell me more” before reacting, even when she disagreed. That one habit turned her from a roadblock into someone people actively wanted in the room. Takeaways: •       Curiosity beats advice •       A seat at the table means nothing without influence •       Every business goal, from revenue to quality, is really a people problem   “Curiosity is an amazing thing to have in your toolkit — to build relationships, grow your influence, build trust, and get to the best solution. Always lead with curiosity.” — Jennifer McClure Connect with Jennifer McClure: Website: https://jennifermcclure.net/ DisruptHR: https://disrupthr.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure/ https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Disrupting HR: Lessons in Curiosity, Influence, and Building a Global Movement | Jennifer McClure

  8. Jul 7

    Three Principles of Radical Hospitality | Will Guidara

    Restaurateur and author Will Guidara breaks down the three principles behind “unreasonable hospitality,” and how any entrepreneur can use them to turn ordinary moments into the reason people come back. Topics Covered: •       The night that pushed Will to rethink what “being the best” actually means •       The three principles behind “unreasonable hospitality” •       Why the best ideas should come from your frontline, not from the top What makes someone remember your business a year later? Not the menu, not the décor, it’s usually one small, specific moment where they felt truly seen. In this ‘replay’ episode of The Entrepreneur’s Studio, Will Guidara, co-founder of Eleven Madison Park and author of the bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality, unpacks the night that changed his entire approach to building a business people fall in love with. Will believes that being “the best” was never really about the product. After his restaurant landed dead last on a list of the world’s top 50, he committed to a different kind of excellence: one built on relationships rather than rankings. That shift led to a single, almost accidental gesture; a two-dollar hot dog served between courses at a three-Michelin-star table that reshaped how he thought about hospitality altogether. From that moment, Will distilled three principles that any team can apply: be fully present with the person in front of you, take the work seriously without taking yourself too seriously, and treat every gesture as one-size-fits-one rather than one-size-fits-all. He’s candid that the generic versions of these ideas, a free dessert or a templated thank-you, rarely move people. It’s the specificity that does. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, the actionable shift is structural: stop centralizing your best ideas in one role or one person. Will created a position called the Dreamweaver to help execute ideas, but he’s emphatic that the ideas themselves must come from the people closest to the customer, the servers or the hosts. Empower that layer of your team, he argues, and you turn employees from order-takers into product designers. Takeaways: •       Audit every touchpoint in your customer journey •       Personalize, don’t "templatize" •       Push decision-making down to the people who are closest to your customer “Unreasonable hospitality is one size fits one. The greatest gestures are bespoke to the person receiving them.” — Will Guidara Listen to the full conversation with Will Guidara from Season 3 here. https://www.auris.io/resources/entrepreneurs-studio/podcast/s03-e01-will-guidara/ https://www.auris.io/ Follow The Entrepreneur’s Studio so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com The Entrepreneur’s Studio is sponsored by Auris, helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify payroll and HR with powerful tools and real human support. Learn more at https://www.auris.io

    Three Principles of Radical Hospitality | Will Guidara
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No matter how much you prepare, surprises are guaranteed when you run your own business. Who better to learn from than the people who have stood in your shoes? Success is not accident. Level up with the Entrepreneur’s Studio – an on-demand suite of lessons, tools and tips from entrepreneurs who have been there before, to help you to run and grow a better business.

Information

  • Creator
    The Entrepreneur’s Studio
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Entrepreneur’s Studio
  • Show Website
    The Entrepreneur’s Studio

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