Get Back 2 Work

Bob Campana
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  • Entrepreneurship
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Get Back 2 Work is a candid, no-nonsense podcast for seasoned entrepreneurs and operators who know that building something meaningful requires more than ideas — it requires resilience, reinvention, and real work. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and author Bob Campana, who has started and grown eight companies over more than five decades, the show explores what it actually takes to build, lead, and rebuild through both good years and hard ones. Bob brings the perspective of someone who has lived the pressure, responsibility, and identity that come with creating and running businesses at a high level. Each episode features honest conversations with experienced founders, executives, and problem-solvers who have moved beyond theory and into execution. Together, they dig into leadership under pressure, smart decision-making, reinvention, and the realities of growing companies in an unpredictable world. This isn’t startup hype or surface-level motivation. It’s real dialogue for people who have built something, learned from it, and are ready to get back to work — smarter, stronger, and more intentional than before.

  1. Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business

    20h ago

    Pietro Peroni: How a $1 Pen Led to a Multimillion-Dollar Christmas Lights Business

    A $1 counterfeit-detecting pen, a chance trip to China, and half a million meters of rope light set the stage for a lifelong journey in the Christmas lighting industry. In this episode, hear how a math teacher turned serendipity, risk, and China’s manufacturing engine into a global seasonal business. In this episode, Bob Campana and Pietro Peroni discuss: Pivot from teaching math and physics to entrepreneurshipDiscovering high-margin products and wholesaler-driven growthFirst experiences in Guangzhou and China’s “city of lights” ecosystemBuilding and scaling a professional Christmas lighting businessInnovation in LED technology and modular commercial Christmas trees Key Takeaways: A single product with unmet demand can be the springboard from a stable career into full-time entrepreneurship.Selling through wholesalers and agents can unlock scale that retail cannot.Locating production inside a complete supply chain cluster dramatically reduces friction and accelerates innovation.Constant research and development are always necessary because long-term growth in a seasonal niche depends on continuously reinventing products, from rope lights to new LED cables and modular trees.A business can evolve into a family legacy, allowing the founder to narrow focus while the next generation steps into leadership. “We started with this, and then some people used it for Christmas decoration… and I started to import rope light in big quantity. In one year, I sold 500,000 meters of rope light.” - Pietro Peroni About the guest, Pietro Peroni: Pietro Peroni is an Italian entrepreneur who transformed his career from teaching math and physics into building a global Christmas lighting business. Starting with a high-margin counterfeit-detection pen, he moved into importing rope lights and professional decorative lighting, ultimately specializing in large-scale Christmas installations for cities, malls, and public spaces. Splitting his time between Italy and China’s Pearl River Delta, he focuses on innovating next-generation LED products and modular commercial Christmas trees while preparing to pass the business to his son. Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    26 min
  2. Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories

    May 30

    Victor Ochieng & Daniel Ekonde: Chasing the American Dream to Tell Africa’s Stories

    Two young journalists leave Kenya and Cameroon for UC Berkeley, trading local newsrooms for a global stage. In this conversation, they unpack the realities of the American dream, the future of African storytelling, and how authenticity will keep human creators essential in an AI-driven world. In this episode, Bob Campana, Victor Ochieng, and Daniel Ekonde discuss: Early life and entry into journalism in Kenya and CameroonRadio, sports, and music broadcasting careers in AfricaWinning scholarships and deciding to study at UC BerkeleyComparing opportunity, infrastructure, and systems in Africa vs. the U.S.AI’s impact on journalism, filmmaking, and education  Key Takeaways: When someone feels their community is misrepresented or ignored, that friction can ignite a lifelong commitment to journalism and storytelling that centers their people’s voices.Global exposure and advanced education are often strategic moves to move from freelancer to editorial decision-maker.Strong systems, infrastructure, and accountability dramatically shape how talent and hard work translate into opportunity.The American dream still motivates when combined with grit and readiness.Used well, AI can speed up tasks like transcription, drafting, and editing, but it still can’t manufacture the messy, emotional, context-rich judgment that comes from a real human being who has actually lived the story they’re telling. “The US pays for hard work. The US recognizes effort. That's one thing I've come to realize. If you just put in effort, you put in work, then I think you're good to go.” - Victor Ochieng About the guests, Victor Ochieng and Daniel Ekonde: Victor Ochieng is a Kenyan journalist, radio producer, and documentary filmmaker whose work is rooted in representing underheard communities from one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements. He began as a community radio volunteer in high school, later hosting reggae and African music programs and launching an online radio station to spotlight local voices. Now a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, he specializes in documentary production and is currently developing a film on Power Slap and the personal sacrifices behind combat sports. Daniel Ekonde is a Cameroonian journalist with a strong background in sports and international reporting. Starting in a high school journalism club and campus radio, he went on to file stories for major outlets including ESPN, CNN, Global Voices, and Al Jazeera, covering everything from sports to broader social issues. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley, he is focused on deepening his long-form writing and editorial skills, with the goal of moving from frontline reporting into influential editorial and newsroom leadership that shapes global coverage of African stories. Connect With Victor Ochieng: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victor-ochieng-566a8088  Connect With Daniel Ekonde: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ekonde-901590145/  Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    54 min
  3. Timothy Little: Why Small Groups Win Over Solo Trips

    May 23

    Timothy Little: Why Small Groups Win Over Solo Trips

    What happens when a former solo backpacker trades crowded tourist hotspots for intimate Sicilian baptisms, birthday parties, and hidden museums? In this episode, you’ll hear how deeply curated small group travel can transform your experience of Europe—from logistics and language barriers to food, community, and culture. In this episode, Bob Campana and Timothy Little discuss: Solo backpacking through Asia before the internetChoosing the right travel partnerDeep cultural immersion in Sicily via local relationshipsSmall group tours vs. mass tourism and cruise ship crowdsDiscovering hidden, less crowded European experiences  Key Takeaways: Small group travel can turn a trip into a shared story, layering in community, conversation, and connection that solo travel often lacks.The right travel partner—or group—matters as much as the destination, especially when energy levels, interests, and pace of activity need to align.Long-cultivated local relationships open doors to private parties, family events, and behind-the-scenes experiences that typical tourists never see.Mass tourism and cruise ship stops can overwhelm destinations and dilute the quality of the experience, but there are always quieter, richer alternatives nearby.Having guides, transportation, and logistics handled frees travelers to be present in the moment instead of worrying about navigation, tickets, and timing. “I wouldn't drive in any of these places, just too dangerous. And the other part about, as far as Ubering or catching a taxi, it's kind of … am I going to get internet reception here to actually call an Uber or something like that? Bussing is one way to do it, but it takes about a day to figure out, but to be shuttled around with a group of people, a completely different experience.” - Timothy Little About the guest, Timothy Little: Timothy “Tim” Little is an experienced traveler who has explored the world both as a solo backpacker and as part of curated small group tours. In his late 20s, he followed the classic “hippie trail” across Asia, later visiting France and Jerusalem on his own to dive deep into culture and pilgrimage. More recently, he joined Bob Campana’s Redwood Cafe food and wine tour through Italy and Sicily, where he experienced intimate local events, family celebrations, and hidden gems far from the tourist crowds. Having lived on both sides, he now strongly favors small group travel for the community, cultural immersion, and stress-free logistics it provides. Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    33 min
  4. Lino Mansoni: How Thoughtful Itineraries Create Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Memories

    May 16

    Lino Mansoni: How Thoughtful Itineraries Create Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Memories

    Tired of crowded cruise ports, rushed bus tours, and souvenir shops that all look the same? In this episode, Bob and travel designer Lino Masani break down the hidden costs of “hit and run tourism” and reveal how small group, relationship-driven travel can restore authentic, meaningful experiences. In this episode, Bob Campana and Lino Mansoni discuss: Over-tourism in major European citiesImpact of cruise ships and “hit and run tourism”Small group travel vs. mass tourismBuilding immersive, local-first itinerariesThe role of relationships and DMCs in high-quality travel experiences  Key Takeaways: Overtourism is degrading both local life and visitor experience in many iconic cities.Cruise-based “hit and run tourism” concentrates thousands of visitors into small areas for brief windows of time, benefiting trinket shops more than genuine local businesses.Small group travel creates a higher quality experience by avoiding crowds, accessing off-the-beaten-path locations, and making it easy to connect with local culture, food, and people.The best itineraries are relationship-driven, built through deep partnerships with local guides and local experts.True trip value is measured not just by cost, but by lasting memories, human connections, and how closely the real experience matches the dream you carried for months before traveling. “With Redwood Cafe Tours, what we push for is you're a local among the locals.” - Lino Mansoni About the guest, Lino Mansoni: Lino Mansoni is the CEO of Redwood Cafe Tours, a small-group travel company dedicated to creating authentic, high-touch experiences around the world. Drawing on deep relationships with local guides, farmers, business owners, and destination partners, he curates itineraries that avoid over-touristed hotspots and instead highlight off-the-beaten-path villages, zero-kilometer restaurants, and meaningful cultural encounters. Lino’s focus is on quality over quantity—ensuring that every trip delivers lasting memories, genuine human connection, and a true sense of place for each traveler. Connect With Lino Mansoni: Website: https://www.redwoodcafetours.com/world-destinations  Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    42 min
  5. Abraham Navarro: From Mowing at Five to Building a Landscaping Brand

    May 9

    Abraham Navarro: From Mowing at Five to Building a Landscaping Brand

    A kid who fell in love with mowing lawns at five grows into a stressed but driven entrepreneur managing crews, clients, and his own mental health. In this episode, Abraham opens up about the hidden pressures of small business, why he turned to therapy, and how he’s rebuilding his company with intention. In this episode, Bob Campana and Abraham Navarro discuss: Early passion for landscaping and first paid jobsWord-of-mouth growth and hiring the first employeesWorking “on” the business vs. “in” the businessStress, cash flow pressure, and seeking therapyLong-term vision: building a brand and the dream of owning a restaurant  Key Takeaways: Passion gets you started, but business skills keep you alive.Growing from a solo operator to a team inevitably introduces people problems, leadership gaps, and inefficiencies that directly impact profitability.When stress, cash flow fear, and constant firefighting pile up, talking to a therapist or mentor isn’t a luxury; it becomes a survival tool that lightens the emotional load and makes problems feel solvable again.Self-education, through mentors, audio, and books, is essential when formal business training is missing, especially for contractors and tradespeople.Building a resilient company means aiming beyond “more jobs” toward a clearer vision, delivering five-star service, securing financial stability, and protecting mental health for both the owner and the crew. “I'm actually seeing a therapist now, and… I've had two sessions so far, and the amount of weight that I feel comes off my shoulders after having a conversation with this individual. It's pretty incredible.” - Abraham Navarro About the guest, Abraham Navarro: Abraham Navarro is the owner of Ironstone, a landscaping company serving California’s Central Valley, built from a childhood passion that started when he first pushed a lawnmower at five years old. What began as mowing family yards and neighborhood fields grew into a word-of-mouth business, a contractor’s license, and today, a crew of six plus Abraham. More than just cutting grass, he’s focused on building a brand known for five-star service, craftsmanship, and genuine care for clients’ outdoor spaces. Behind the scenes, Abraham is candid about the real pressures of small business ownership—cash flow stress, leadership challenges, and the emotional toll of being “the one who signs the checks.” That honesty led him to therapy and a renewed commitment to mental health for himself and his team. Connect With Abraham Navarro: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironstone_landscape/  Phone: 209-581-2801  Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    43 min
  6. Danny Tabera: From Combat Marine to Conductor – An American Redemption Story

    May 2

    Danny Tabera: From Combat Marine to Conductor – An American Redemption Story

    A teenage kid from South Modesto joins the Marines, survives brutal deployments in Afghanistan, comes home broken, and starts over as a busboy. In this episode, you’ll hear how he rebuilt his life through hard work, mentorship, and family—on a journey from combat infantry to train engineer. In this episode, Bob Campana and Danny Tabera discuss: Childhood in South Modesto, family, and losing his fatherMarine Corps journey, Afghanistan deployments, and combat lossLearning Pashto and navigating locals, interpreters, and the CIAComing home broken, financial struggle, and restarting at Redwood CafeDivorce, blended family, and rekindling marriage while building a new career  Key Takeaways: Deep childhood bonds and early loss can shape a lifelong drive to lead, protect, and provide, even when the path becomes chaotic.Combat doesn’t just end on the battlefield; it follows people home.Mentorship and meaningful work can be a bridge between a broken identity and a rebuilt one, especially for veterans transitioning to civilian life.Relationships can fracture under the weight of trauma and bad decisions, yet humility, growth, and genuine support can open the door to reconciliation.Careers don’t have to be linear; skills from the military, construction sites, and customer-facing jobs can all stack into unexpected opportunities—like driving a passenger train. “At my lowest, I was just looking for anything to keep me sustained. There were mental, emotional, and historical scars that were all colliding at one point.” - Danny Tabera About the guest, Danny Tabera: Danny Tabera is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, blue‑collar craftsman, and emerging railroad professional whose journey runs from a tough childhood in South Modesto through three Afghanistan deployments and back into civilian life. After serving as an infantry assaultman and boot camp honor graduate with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines—specializing in rockets, breaching, and even learning Pashto to work with local communities—he came home carrying the weight of lost brothers, financial strain, and a shattered sense of self, bussing tables while raising four kids. A lifeline came through work and mentorship at Redwood Cafe and on owner Bob Campana’s custom‑home projects, where he rebuilt his confidence learning construction, equipment operation, and problem-solving, then advanced into crime‑scene cleanup, cell‑tower construction, and finally a conductor role with Caltrain on the San Francisco Peninsula. Now a father of six and remarried to his high‑school sweetheart after divorce and reconciliation, Danny is stepping into engineer training on Caltrain’s new electric fleet, embodying resilience, responsibility, and the power of second chances. Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    2h 1m
  7. Henry Park: Humanizing the Restaurant Industry Through Partnership and Storytelling

    Apr 25

    Henry Park: Humanizing the Restaurant Industry Through Partnership and Storytelling

    A 25‑year veteran of the restaurant world shares how strategic partnerships, authentic storytelling, and a renewed focus on community are helping independent operators rebuild after a decimated industry. Hear how a lifelong collaboration with Cisco, a new café buildout, and a content‑driven approach are redefining what it means to serve food and connect people. In this episode, Bob Campana and Henry Park discuss: Career path across Cheesecake Factory, Chipotle, and UC Berkeley’s International HouseCisco’s role as a long-term partner in food sourcing and operationsPost‑pandemic challenges and new opportunities for small restaurant groupsUsing podcasts, video, and stories to support and de‑intimidate independent restaurateursThe Redwood Cafe project, community “third place,” and rebuilding human connection  Key Takeaways: Building long-term relationships with trusted suppliers, like Cisco, can stabilize operations and unlock better insight into trends, costs, and sourcing.The pandemic severely damaged the restaurant industry, but it also created a less crowded landscape where smaller operators can step forward and establish themselves.Large foodservice companies can feel intimidating to independent restaurateurs, and thoughtful, authentic content can make these partnerships feel more accessible and human.Restaurants function as vital spaces for human connection, and intentionally designing them as community “third places” can strengthen the social fabric of a neighborhood.Bringing chefs, beverage experts, and industry veterans into ongoing media conversations can inspire others and preserve the stories and ethos of the restaurant world. “These leaders, these restaurateurs, are looking to grow; they're going to be intimidated by a bigger company, Cisco. And so I think the idea that we spoke about is that if we're able to go ahead and provide some content and collaborate with a Cisco. You know, we can give them content that is going to make them feel less intimidating.” - Henry Park About the guest, Henry Park: Henry Park is an experienced regional operations leader with more than 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, having built his career across iconic brands such as The Cheesecake Factory, Chipotle, and now the International House at UC Berkeley. He has led in high‑volume environments serving thousands of guests daily, managing complex menus, large-scale kitchen operations, and diverse culinary teams. Skilled in catering, cooking, profit maximization, food preparation, and hospitality, he blends hands-on operational expertise with a strategic mindset. Henry is also a strong sales professional, holding a Master Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University, which underpins his ability to drive performance, lead teams, and navigate organizational change. Connect with Henry Park: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-park-3a455122/  Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobcampana_/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    11 min
  8. Steven and Vanessa Parks: From Teenage Car Lot to Boutique Hotel Visionaries

    Apr 18

    Steven and Vanessa Parks: From Teenage Car Lot to Boutique Hotel Visionaries

    From flipping cows into cars at 14 to transforming a crime-ridden roadside motel into a stunning boutique hotel, Steven and Vanessa Parks share a raw, real look at what it actually takes to build wealth, take big risks, and keep your marriage and faith at the center of it all. If you’re an entrepreneur wrestling with risk, cash flow, and calling, this episode will feel like a masterclass in betting on yourself without losing your soul. In this episode, Bob Campana, Steven Parks, and Vanessa Parks discuss: Early entrepreneurship in the car businessMeeting, marriage, and a shared vision for life and businessReal estate journey: single-family, multifamily, and AirbnbsBuying and transforming a distressed motel into Hotel BayitFaith, risk, and community-focused hospitality (hotel + café + Bible study) Key Takeaways: Skills learned young, like sales, negotiation, and reading people, can become the foundation for much bigger ventures later in life.Building wealth is very different from just generating income; at some point, you have to shift from being purely transactional to owning assets and businesses that create long-term value.Massive projects rarely go as planned: the hotel renovation ran out of money multiple times and revealed far more damage than expected, but persistence, creativity, and faith kept it moving forward.Integrity in deal-making, such as refusing to “backdoor” a distressed seller even when it would be cheaper, creates peace of mind and often opens better doors later.Hospitality can be a calling as much as a business: by designing a hotel, café, and event space around community, beauty, and spiritual connection, you can turn a property into a place of genuine impact. “It's not just a hotel, it's not just the cafe… It's also just giving back to the community, where they could find hope. If there's someone off the street who needs food, they can come by, and I'll give them a plate of food. Like, that's what it's about. It's about helping each other.” - Steven Parks About the guest, Steven and Vanessa Parks: Steven and Vanessa Parks are a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial duo who turned a scrappy teenage car-lot hustle into a multi-layered real estate and hospitality portfolio. Starting with distressed single-family homes, duplexes, and fourplexes in California’s Central Valley, they grew into short-term rentals and ultimately took on their biggest project yet: buying and fully transforming a red‑tagged roadside motel in Salida into the boutique Hotel Bayit. Blending Steven’s deal-making and vision with Vanessa’s operational excellence and design eye, they now own and operate Hotel Bayit and The Matriarch Café, a community-focused gathering place on the property. Driven by faith and a deep love for people, they see hospitality as both their business and their calling—using their spaces to host travelers, weddings, Bible studies, and everyday moments that bring beauty, connection, and hope to the Central Valley. Connect with Steven and Vanessa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-parks-0b086a53/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-parks-034295267/  Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/steven.parks.758  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevendparks/  Connect With Bob Campana: Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getback2workk  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevendparks/ , https://www.instagram.com/hotelbayit/ , https://www.instagram.com/matriarchcafe/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    1h 44m
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About

Get Back 2 Work is a candid, no-nonsense podcast for seasoned entrepreneurs and operators who know that building something meaningful requires more than ideas — it requires resilience, reinvention, and real work. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and author Bob Campana, who has started and grown eight companies over more than five decades, the show explores what it actually takes to build, lead, and rebuild through both good years and hard ones. Bob brings the perspective of someone who has lived the pressure, responsibility, and identity that come with creating and running businesses at a high level. Each episode features honest conversations with experienced founders, executives, and problem-solvers who have moved beyond theory and into execution. Together, they dig into leadership under pressure, smart decision-making, reinvention, and the realities of growing companies in an unpredictable world. This isn’t startup hype or surface-level motivation. It’s real dialogue for people who have built something, learned from it, and are ready to get back to work — smarter, stronger, and more intentional than before.

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Campana
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Get Back 2 Work