The Corvus Effect

Scott Raven
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Welcome to the Corvus Effect, where we explore what it takes to succeed professionally and truly enhance all parts of your life. I'm your host, Scott Raven. Each episode we go behind the scenes with leaders who've mastered the delicate harmony of growing their professional endeavors while protecting what matters most.Ready to transform from Chief Everything Officer to achieving integration in all facets of your life.  Let's SOAR!

  1. Ep. 99: TL;DL - Stillness, Strategy, and Serial Success with Joe Mindak

    FEB 9

    Ep. 99: TL;DL - Stillness, Strategy, and Serial Success with Joe Mindak

    Summary: This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Joe Mindak, a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of proving that generosity scales. Joe founded The Connective, a vetted community generating millions in referral revenue, and developed the Nolodex platform to revolutionize how chambers of commerce track referrals. I explore three key takeaways: Joe's philosophy of staying in his lane while delegating to those who excel where he doesn't, his insight that traditional networking was missing the incentive (leading to a model where connectors get paid for referrals), and his practice of finding stillness through sauna sessions and phoneless walks to unlock his best ideas. Chapters: 01:47 Stay in Your Lane 03:02 The Missing Incentive 04:56 Finding Stillness for Clarity

    8 min
  2. Ep. 98: Why the Best Connectors Deserve a Paycheck with Joe Mindak

    FEB 9

    Ep. 98: Why the Best Connectors Deserve a Paycheck with Joe Mindak

    Episode Links: The Connective - https://www.theconnective.me/ Nolodex - https://www.nolodex.com/ LinkedIn: Joe Mindak - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemindak/ Book: Connectors Get Paid by Joe Mindak - https://www.amazon.com/Connectors-Get-Paid-Referral-Network-ebook/dp/B0FRYM3QT9 Summary: In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I sit down with Joe Mindak, a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of proving that generosity scales. Joe founded The Connective (a vetted community of over 550 professionals generating more than $10 million in referral revenue) and developed the Nolodex platform now revolutionizing how chambers of commerce operate nationwide. He shares how staying in his lane while delegating to the right people allowed him to focus on sales and connecting, reveals why traditional networking was missing a critical component (the incentive), and discusses the morning routine of sauna time and swimming that generates his "holy shit ideas." Joe also opens up about rebuilding an American Legion post after Superstorm Sandy, which snowballed into building housing for homeless veterans across New Jersey. Chapters: 00:32 Meet Joe Mindak 04:10 Stay in Your Lane and Delegate 06:38 Learning the Hard Way 08:56 The Missing Incentive in Networking 13:27 Building The Connective and Nolodex 21:15 Throw Spaghetti Against the Wall 25:00 Finding Stillness for Strategic Clarity 26:38 The $34 Million Sauna Deal 32:15 Rebuilding the American Legion 36:46 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

    42 min
  3. Ep. 97: TL;DL - Checking Your Ego at the Door with Kendley Davenport

    FEB 2

    Ep. 97: TL;DL - Checking Your Ego at the Door with Kendley Davenport

    Summary: This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Kendley Davenport, transformational CEO with over 30 years leading PE-backed and founder-led companies. I break down three key insights from the full episode: Kendley's framework of clarity, collaboration, and accountability that helped fix a 40% billing error rate; his perspective on how founder ego becomes the biggest obstacle to scaling; and his approach to productive conflict as the foundation for cohesive teams. Chapters: 01:35 Framework for Sustainable Growth 02:52 The Founder's Ego Problem 04:08 Productive Conflict in Teams

    7 min
  4. Ep. 96: The 40% Error That Nearly Killed a $100 Million Company with Kendley Davenport

    FEB 2

    Ep. 96: The 40% Error That Nearly Killed a $100 Million Company with Kendley Davenport

    Episode Links: LinkedIn: Kendley Davenport - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendleydavenport/ Website: Kendley Davenport - https://kendleydavenport.com/ Leadership for Success - https://leadership4success.co/ Execution-Driven Leadership Course -https://saleshub.titancorex.com/courses/offers/6d6ab55d-493d-41cb-a652-cb7ad0ffe82e Summary: In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I sit down with Kendley Davenport, a transformational CEO with over 30 years leading PE-backed and founder-led companies. Kendley shares how he scaled ESS from $100 million to $300 million in revenue while fixing a devastating 40% billing error rate that was strangling cash flow. He breaks down his framework of clarity, collaboration, and accountability, and explains why most senior leaders working 70-hour weeks are usually the problem, not their teams. Kendley also reveals what he learned from conversations with Boeing's CEO about focus and work-life balance, why a heart surgeon's approach to planning applies directly to business, and how technology is transforming recruiting. He closes with advice for the next generation of leaders on curiosity, humility, and aligning personal values with professional ambitions. Chapters: 03:34 The ESS Challenge: Growing Too Fast 06:16 The 40% Billing Error Crisis 07:49 Collaboration, Clarity, and Accountability 10:52 Reducing Owner Dependency 12:14 The Four Areas Where Companies Struggle 14:08 Productive Conflict and Team Cohesion 18:13 Right People in the Right Seats 20:08 Fixing Broken Recruiting Processes 23:28 The Southwest Airlines Hiring Story 28:54 Finding Leaders Ready to Change 29:52 Lessons from Boeing's CEO 32:23 Why Teams Win Together 33:17 The Heart Surgeon's Secret to Zero Deaths 36:10 Giving Back to Virginia Tech 41:56 The Head Fake: Advice for the Next Generation

    48 min
  5. Ep. 95: TL;DL - The $213K Mistake Leaders Keep Making with Lisa Snow

    JAN 26

    Ep. 95: TL;DL - The $213K Mistake Leaders Keep Making with Lisa Snow

    Summary: This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Lisa Snow, founder of On the Mend Wellness. After 17 years revolutionizing employee wellness, Lisa has discovered something powerful: the same lack of systems preventing leaders from prioritizing their health is creating chaos in their business. We explore why wellness programs deliver measurable ROI, what turnover actually costs, and why connection in the workplace is fundamentally human. Chapters: 01:32 Takeaway #1: Your Health Bottleneck Is a Systems Problem 02:54 Takeaway #2: Wellness Is a Retention Strategy with Measurable ROI 04:55 Takeaway #3: Connection and Community Are Fundamentally Human

    8 min
  6. Ep. 94: Wellness Is a Retention Strategy, Not a Perk with Lisa Snow

    JAN 26

    Ep. 94: Wellness Is a Retention Strategy, Not a Perk with Lisa Snow

    Episode Links: On the Mend Wellness - https://www.onthemendwellness.com/ LinkedIn: Lisa Snow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-snow-nyc/ Summary: In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I sit down with Lisa Snow, founder of On the Mend Wellness, who has spent 17 years helping leaders create genuine community through employee wellness programs. Lisa reveals a powerful insight from her work with executives: the same lack of systems preventing leaders from prioritizing their health is creating chaos in their businesses. They explore why wellness programs deliver measurable ROI, how the true cost of turnover can reach 213% of an employee's salary, and why employees want connection regardless of whether they identify as introverts or extroverts. Lisa also shares practical strategies for navigating return-to-office challenges and building effective community without making it feel forced. Chapters: 00:32 Meet Lisa Snow 01:41 The Root Cause Behind Employee Engagement 03:59 From Personal Training to Corporate Wellness 07:17 How Wellness Hits the Bottom Line 09:55 Scaling Programs for Company Size 14:11 Bridging the Gap Between Leaders and Employees 17:59 The Power of Gift Boxes and Shared Experiences 21:44 Taking Things Off the Leader's Plate 23:45 Navigating Return to Office 28:07 The Real Cost of Turnover 29:48 Advice to Her Younger Self 31:34 How to Connect with Lisa

    35 min
  7. Ep. 93: TL;DL - Playing to Your Strengths with Brian Calvert

    JAN 19

    Ep. 93: TL;DL - Playing to Your Strengths with Brian Calvert

    Summary: This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TL;DL) summary of my conversation with Brian Calvert, owner of Business Health Market. After 20 years in shopping center management, Brian pivoted when the Amazon effect hit Buffalo. He shares three key insights: building a business through growth acquisition rather than grinding sales, transforming transactional insurance into relationship-driven service, and knowing when empathy requires tough love conversations. Chapters: 01:42 Takeaway #1: Build a Business, Not a Job 02:59 Takeaway #2: Sales Through Empathy 04:26 Takeaway #3: The Double-Edged Sword of Empathy

    7 min
  8. Ep. 92: Build a Business, Not a Job: Lessons from Brian Calvert

    JAN 19

    Ep. 92: Build a Business, Not a Job: Lessons from Brian Calvert

    Episode Links: LinkedIn: Brian Calvert - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-calvert-31aa3a49/ Website: Business Health Market - https://businesshealthmarket.com/ Book Mentioned: Quit by Annie Duke - https://www.amazon.com/Quit-Power-Knowing-When-Walk/dp/0593422996 Summary: In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I sit down with Brian Calvert, owner of Business Health Market, who discovered his true calling through disruption. After 20 years managing shopping centers across New York and Massachusetts, Brian pivoted to health insurance brokerage when the Amazon effect reduced Buffalo's malls from five to two. He now leads a team of over 20 agents nationwide and freely admits he's a better manager than a salesperson, which allows him to run a business rather than have a job. Brian shares his three-phase approach to building a business from day one, his philosophy of treating clients like family in a transactional industry, and the three critical questions he asks anyone considering a career pivot. He also opens up about watching his son go from horrible first-year golfer to number one in high school, and how that challenged his own assumptions about the path to success. Chapters: 00:32 Guest Introduction 02:24 Seeing the Amazon Effect Coming 04:18 Helping Mom and Pop Businesses 06:01 Build a Business, Not a Job 07:56 Sales Through Empathy 11:15 Balancing Empathy and Tough Love 19:47 Redefining Success 23:00 Three Questions Before You Pivot 27:09 Growth Through Acquisition

    36 min
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About

Welcome to the Corvus Effect, where we explore what it takes to succeed professionally and truly enhance all parts of your life. I'm your host, Scott Raven. Each episode we go behind the scenes with leaders who've mastered the delicate harmony of growing their professional endeavors while protecting what matters most.Ready to transform from Chief Everything Officer to achieving integration in all facets of your life.  Let's SOAR!

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Raven
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Corvus Empowerment Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Corvus Effect