The WildWhy Show

Julius and Michael Pieranunzi
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The WildWhy Show presents ideas and stories that fuel the imagination of people advancing humankind. Tune in for insights that help you become the best at what you do.

Episodes

  1. JAN 15

    Laurel Mintz: Founder & CEO, Elevate My Brand - General Partner, Fabric VC | The WildWhy Show #78

    Connect with Fabric VCWebsite: https://www.fabricvc.com/Connect with Elevate My BrandWebsite:https://www.elevatemybrand.com/Connect with Laurel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelmintz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelj.mintzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurelJMintz?s=20Description: This episode of the WildWhy Show features Founder and CEO of Elevate My Brand and General Partner at Fabric Venture Capital, Laurel Mintz. Hosts Michael and Julius Pieranunzi ask Laurel about her best insights for new founders, the lessons she learned from being the CEO of a chain of Basset Furniture Stores at 26 years old, what it takes to execute follow up perfection and much more. Chapters:00:00 Intro01:09 Source of Confidence 02:17 Challenges of as a young CEO04:54 Why Laurel wanted to be a lawyer 09:10 Dad’s Consulting Story18:26 15:06 Going through bankruptcy and how it impacts your reputation 24:10 What Laurel looks for in the founders she invests in at Fabric 27:18 Common mistakes entrepreneurs make when pitching an investor 30:31 Childhood reflections 33:08 Life lessons from being a CEO at 26 35:47 Starting elevate my brand 38:01 The secret to selling the shit out of anything 42:41 What do a lot of startups get wrong in their marketing 44:58 What differentiates EMB50:04 Laurel’s basics for founders53:40 Effective follow up - REWATCH55:10 The Fabric VC Team 56:48 Outlook on the Fabric VC Fund57:31 How to choose which VC to invest in59:09 Back to selling the shit out of anything 01:02:53 Closing

    1h 3m
  2. Investor, Realtor and Entrepreneur Allen Gammons Jr. | The WildWhy Show #66

    12/09/2025

    Investor, Realtor and Entrepreneur Allen Gammons Jr. | The WildWhy Show #66

    Learn more about the Gammons Team here: Website: https://thegammonsteam.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegammonsteam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_gammons_team/ Find Allen on social media here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allen.gammons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweet_home_allen_gammons/ The WildWhy Show, hosted by Julius and Michael Pieranunzi, presents ideas and stories that fuel the imagination of people advancing humankind. Subscribe to never miss an episode with actionable insight for becoming the best at what you do. Thank you for tuning in to this conversation with Allen Gammons Jr. on our 66th episode! CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:38 How did Alan get into publishing and then RE 25:25 Where does Allen’s entrepreneurial drive come from?  31:32 How does Allen recharge himself?  34:20 Taxes  41:58 What was the most fun business that Alan was involved in?  44:52 Why real estate became the main career path 48:22 Real Estate Commissions and Teams 51:48 How did you get your first listing?   56:20 Speaking your mind and making everyone happy  01:00:36 The RE company Allen started at 01:03:17 Doing business with people who are a good fit for you 01:07:56 Allen’s favorite recruiting story  01:13:18 Strengths that set Allen apart from other realtors  01:21:48 Lessons for someone new gained from selling 5,000 houses  01:43:33 Don’t over rely on your phone  01:48:19 Allen’s greatest takeaways from thousands of negotiations  01:56:04  The ostrich investment  01:58:19 Timing the RE market and investing 02:07:45 2008 02:10:12 The biggest mistake that Allen has made 02:11:58 Allen’s take on property management 02:13:31 Emergency Insurance Rentals 02:16:51 Two of Allen's favorite deals 02:22:33 Biggest takeaways from starting his own RE company  02:26:02 How to help people work well together  02:31:02 What holds people back from taking action  02:34:57 How Allen met his wife and advice on marriage  02:41:34 Lessons from Allen’s Dad 02:44:03 Treat everyone equally  02:47:05 Not fully defining yourself by what you do 02:49:35 Allen’s favorite book or movie 02:55:42 The most difficult time in Allen’s life 02:58:02 Has Allen always been self confident and Allen’s book  03:05:12 Allen’s advice to his great grandchildren 03:05:58 Outro

    3h 6m

  3. 09/23/2025

    Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, K. Joseph Shekarchi | #70 The WildWhy Show

    Learn more about Speaker Shekarchi here:  Website: https://joeshekarchi.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerJoeShekarchi Twitter/X: X (Twitter) LinkedIn: LinkedIn Thank you for watching this episode of the WildWhy Show featuring Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi.  Chapters:  00:00 Intro 01:21 Election integrity in Rhode Island  09:15 The 2024 state budget  13:37 The Washington Bridge  17:38 A day in the Speaker’s life 24:07 How does the speaker multitask  25:12 Can one person calling their representative and make a difference? Yes.  26:05 Collaboration between Republicans and Democrats  29:08 The Rhode Island housing crisis  32:28 The antidote to fear of change: education  37:15 The guardian of the State House  38:41 Is Biden or Trump too old for public office  40:41 Was the lawsuit against Trump election interference?  42:25 Roe v Wade  46:10 Tiktok Ban? 47:44 Is marijuana a net positive or negative in society?  49:14 Lessons from mentors for future leaders  55:59 Should part time representatives earn more? 56:14 The journey from Mount St. Charles to the Speakership   1:01:38 Thoughts on the future 1:03:25 The most challenging time for the Speaker  1:06:54 Advice to his younger self  1:09:06 Outro

    1h 10m
  4. Alan Weiss: How To Beat Procrastination, Build a 7 Figure Consulting Business, Be The Best CEO | #74

    09/20/2024

    Alan Weiss: How To Beat Procrastination, Build a 7 Figure Consulting Business, Be The Best CEO | #74

    Thank you to our Sponsors Book Links Purchase your copy of Alan Weiss’s Million Dollar Consulting: https://amzn.to/4d8dgLG Purchase your copy of Alan Weiss’s Sentient Strategy: https://amzn.to/3XJyJpJ Purchase your copy of Alan Weiss and Marshall Goldsmith’s Lifestorming: https://amzn.to/3ZmJxeG Purchase your copy of Noah Kagan’s Million Dollar Weekend: https://amzn.to/3TrT2VV Check out our book recommendations list for potential discounts on your favorite titles: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12kjv6joHBVvpKyDpH92BmuEwKMR70fZ33DGsjV84c1g/edit?usp=sharing Check out our free business idea library for inspiration on your next venture: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bqpM1_3Z2KFiLpM0xe1qef_oCKno6fAEOEiHDjEOfck/edit?usp=sharing Starting a Podcast and like how our show looks? Check out the gear we use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17BUzUFZyJ7aReDytTYJnibGWo71L0xivk6nO7vDbcmA/edit?usp=sharing Alan’s Modules Learn More: https://milliondollarconsultingcourse.com/ Description In episode #74 of the WildWhy VodCast, Julius and Michael speak to Alan Weiss. He is the founder of Summit Consulting Group, an inductee into the professional speakers hall of fame and author of the international bestseller “Million Dollar Consulting”. His firm has consistently generated a healthy seven figures addressing the needs of the world’s most valuable, successful and innovative companies. Executives at State Street Bank, General Electric, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the Federal Reserve, Mercedes Benz and many more are among the leaders of multi billion and trillion dollar organizations that Alan has consulted for. During this conversation, we learn how a shy kid from New Jersey went on to become one of the most recognizable names in his business, How Alan started a multimillion dollar company with only a few hundred dollars in the bank, invaluable insights for leaders and founders that he gained while coaching top performers and his simple but powerful mindset for attaining your goals. Listen to Alan’s full conversation with Noah Kagan: https://youtu.be/up37Q_xjrg4?si=2oggsKebsuOLjCjM Watch Alan’s full talk at Harvard University: https://youtu.be/9ztFJmapypw?si=sP4MOXlOHuAGnUKf P. Roy Vagelos closing quote source: https://hbr.org/1994/11/medicine-management-and-mergers-an-interview-with-mercks-p-roy-vagelos Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - The value of Alan's time 02:35 - Alan's thoughts on business plans 04:50 - Noah Kagan 05:07 - Figuring out your passion 12:28 - Challenges and lessons from the early days of Summit Consulting Group 17:05 - Takeaways from Alan's first Fortune 20 client, Merck 21:00 - Does Alan believe in coincidence? 22:10 - Working with Mercedes Benz 25:47 - Working with JPMorgan Chase & Co 28:00 - Working with State St. Corporation and Marsh Carter 29:53 - Clarity and conviction of expertise 32:04 - Ferrari = marketing investment 33:11 - Overcome procrastination 34:26 - Working with the Federal Reserve 38:44 - Working with Atlantic Electric 41:12 - Learnings from leaders of multibillion and trillion dollar organizations 45:00 - Should consultants become CEOs 46:37 - What leaders can do to supercharge their organizations: give people room to fail 49:45 - Thinking outside the box manufacturer 53:32 - How Alan became Alan 01:06:04 - Don’t be apart of the crowd 01:07:14 - Thoughts on death 01:08:01 - Young Alan’s big dream 01:10:34 - The hot air balloon and lightning incidents 01:14:14 - The wire tapping incident and a bully 01:19:58 - Career triumphs that Alan is most proud of 01:22:08 - 13 year old Alan to now, what has changed? 01:27:09 - What are most CEOs overlooking today that will punch them in the face in five years? 01:29:02 - Timeless mistakes for CEOs 01:33:33 - What insights have executives paid Alan hundreds of thousands of dollars to hear? 01:35:34 - Question from previous guest 01:37:03 - Alan’s 1 - 10 rules 01:37:44 - Advice for great great grandchild 01:38:28 - Outro

    1h 39m

  5. 09/15/2024

    Lloyd Sugarman: Johnny Rockets, $1.7M in Shirt Sales at 19 yrs old, Insights For Founders | #64 WWV

    Thank you to our sponsor Coffee and Bagel Connection! Try one of their delicious bagels today and support this show. View their menu and locations here: https://www.coffeenbagelconnection.com/ This is our full conversation with Lloyd Sugarman, the co-founder of the international restaurant chain Johnny Rockets and the current owner of over 30 restaurants and businesses generating tens of millions of dollars a year. From this conversation you will learn how a seemingly unpromising kid, went on to start his first business at 19 years old which generated over $1.7 Million in a weekend ($300,000 in 1975) and what it took to compound that success into scaling a restaurant chain to hundreds of locations and curating his current portfolio of innovative concepts. Visit one of Lloyd’s newest (2024) restaurants, Sugar Factory Boston! Get directions and view their menu here: https://www.sugarfactory.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Growing Up In Cranston, RI 02:10 - Trading Stocks At 16 and Economic Outlook 07:44 - How To Deal With Stress and The Difference Between a Concept and a Menu Item. 10:47 - Concepts Being Copied 12:50 - The Miracle and Miracle Car Wash 20:16 - Conceived in That Theater and ColdStone Creamery 29:48 - Getting Involved In Johnny Rockets 33:59 - Discovering Starbucks 38:38 - Singing and Dancing at Johnny Rockets 44:50 - Timing For Concept Lifecycles 45:33 - The Soup Nazi, Working With Shaq and When to Walk Away. 51:00 - AI and Electric Cars 53:25 - Lessons Lloyd’s Son Learned From Lloyd And Applied To His Own Concept, Mavens 54:02 - First Johnny Rockets Buyout, Lessons Learned and How To Feel Out Locations 56:45 - Trust and Limitations 01:03:40 - Meeting Rhonda, Funky Drawers of America and selling lots of T Shirts 01:17:30 - Salesmanship and Thoughts On Education 01:20:17 - Lloyd Christmas and Dumb and Dumber 01:25:24 - Closing Questions and Quote

    1h 29m
  6. Jerry Zarrella: Working With Presidents Trump and Clinton, Insights on Welfare to Wealth & Making Legal History | #63

    04/30/2024

    Jerry Zarrella: Working With Presidents Trump and Clinton, Insights on Welfare to Wealth & Making Legal History | #63

    LEARN MORE If you are interested in building a high quality home in New England learn more about the Zarrella Development Company at: https://zarrelladevelopment.com/ Find Jerry on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/share/E7oLuW... To inquire about sponsoring this show contact us at: julius@wildwhy.com Thank you for watching the WildWhy VodCast! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend! EPISODE DESCRIPTION In episode sixty three of the WildWhy VodCast Julius and Michael Interview Jerry Zarrella, the founder of Allied Concrete Forms and the Zarrella Development Company. Jerry shares his story from starting out as the “kiss off man” at the local car wash to becoming Rhode Island’s largest concrete foundation contractor and building over six hundred and twenty five million dollars of real estate. He shares his insights on personal relationships, the story of his messy divorce that graced national headlines and made legal history, his experience working with former President Trump as the 2020 Co-Campaign Chair for Rhode Island, hosting Bill Clinton at his home on Block Island, speaking at Harvard and Yale University, insights on figuring out if a spouse is right, his advice for future generations and the 10 rules he lives by.

    3h 13m
  7. Toots Zynsky: 90% of Artists Fail, you don't have to |E55

    02/16/2024

    Toots Zynsky: 90% of Artists Fail, you don't have to |E55

    In episode #55 of the WildWhy VodCast Julius joins Michael on screen for the first time in an interview with the pioneer of Filet De Verre, American Artist Toots Zynsky. Toots shares her life story from deciding to be an artist at 11 years old to going all in on glass at Rhode Island School of Design and eventually becoming recognized in over 100 international museum collections, including MOMA and the MET in NYC and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs du Louvre in Paris, France. For more insights from the world's most innovative and successful people follow the show! Thanks for watching! Learn more about Toots Zynsky at: http://tootszynsky.com Learn more about all things WildWhy at: http://wildwhy.com

    56 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

The WildWhy Show presents ideas and stories that fuel the imagination of people advancing humankind. Tune in for insights that help you become the best at what you do.

Information

  • Creator
    Julius and Michael Pieranunzi
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Julius and Michael Pieranunzi
  • Show Website
    The WildWhy Show