Tag Archives: interview

Ep. 132 – Alan and Mark Baumgarten of PRO-Hydro Beverages, Part 1

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Dr. Alan Baumgarten

Dr. Alan Baumgarten

As a managing partner at his family medicine practice, Dr. Alan Baumgarten didn’t exactly need a second job. As a strong advocate for probiotics, however, he found the lack of quality products on the market frustrating. Not only was there an opportunity to help people become healthier, there was also a great niche for a new business. Together with his brother Mark, Dr. Baumgarten founded PRO-Hydro Beverages, makers of the H2Pro line of probiotics and vitamin supplements. They’re also members of the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneur In Residence program.

In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks to the Baumgarten brothers about their backgrounds and the origin of the PRO-Hydro concept. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 111 – Paul Mazzola from Nivo Outdoor, Part 1

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Paul Mazzola

Paul Mazzola

Great businesses are often born out of frustration. While trying to set up a camping chair on the uneven ground at a West Virginia music festival, Paul Mazzola kept sliding down the hill. Looking around, he noticed that he wasn’t alone. The idea of a self-leveling outdoor chair popped into Paul’s mind. Surely, someone had something like that in the works, right?

Today, Paul is the CEO and Founder of Nivo Outdoor, a startup that makes those exact same self-leveling chairs. He’s also a member of the Kauffman Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program. In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks with Paul about how Nivo grew from concept to company, and the lessons learned along the way. As always, Tom is joined by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 098 – Kickstarter Lessons Learned: Ryan Klinger of GoWorx, Part 2

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Ryan Klinger

Ryan Klinger

As the founder of GoWorx, Ryan Klinger has learned plenty about adapting and pivoting a business. Nothing in his background as an industrial designer prepared him for the challenges of creating a Kickstarter campaign, for instance. With every roadblock he’s encountered, however, Ryan has picked up great insights and experiences that have helped him grow his brand.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles talk with Ryan about reaching influencers, hitting the ground running with crowdfunding, the entrepreneurial benefits of a background in design, and much more. Continue reading →

Ep. 097 – Staying on Top of Industry Trends: Ryan Klinger of GoWorx, Part 1

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Ryan Klinger

Ryan Klinger

As an industrial designer, Ryan Klinger worked on everything from Vans footwear to Hasbro’s Nerf line. But something about the consultant lifestyle didn’t fit with him, so he ventured to Steamboat Springs, CO, in search of outdoor adventure. Along the way, he encountered a new kind of camera called the GoPro. The camera was great, but it needed a handle, and Ryan had just the right set of skills to make one. Thus, GoWorx was born.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles talk with Ryan about founding GoWorx, pivoting the company, and the company’s new position as an REI-like retailer for all thing GoPro. Continue reading →

Ep. 095 – Paul Hedgecock with UGoTour, Part 4

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Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy work/life balance, UGoTour founder Paul Hedgecock has his work cut out for him. As the father of eight kids, maintaining that balance on a daily basis is a fact of life. Along the way, he’s learned a few things of value, even for entrepreneurs who couldn’t field a kids’ ice hockey team at a moment’s notice.

In this final interview segment, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles talk with Paul about the big lessons he’s learned about unplugging from the startup lifestyle. Continue reading →

Ep. 094 – Paul Hedgecock with UGoTour, Part 3

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Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

In addition to his many experiences as an entrepreneur, UGoTour founder Paul Hedgecock has a substantial second job: He’s the father of eight kids. Between his ups and downs as an entrepreneur, and his ongoing experiences as a parent, Paul has developed unique perspective informed by both.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles chat with Paul about the lessons he’s learned along the way. Continue reading →

Ep. 093 – Paul Hedgecock with UGoTour, Part 2

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Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

On his path to becoming the entrepreneur behind the “rack card replacement” tour app UGoTour, Paul Hedgecock’s career took quite a few interesting turns. After realizing that his early goal of becoming a teacher would mean going into debt and take a pay cut from his job as a janitor at a nuclear power plant, Paul decided to take a different path. That winding road took him from being an early eBay expert to serial entrepreneur.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles chat with Paul about the lessons he’s learned along the way. Continue reading →

Ep. 092 – Paul Hedgecock with UGoTour, Part 1

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Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

Paul Hedgecock of UGoTour.

As serial entrepreneur and member of the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, Paul Hedgecock is no stranger to the startup lifestyle. With his latest venture, the “rack card replacement” tour app UGoTour, Paul is helping to empower smaller communities with great tools for encouraging local tourism and economic development.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles chat with Paul about the core vision behind UGoTour. Continue reading →

Ep. 091 – Capital At Play’s Oby Morgan, Part 6

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Oby Morgan

Oby Morgan

Being an entrepreneur often means long periods of giving everything to your business. Or does it? Is there it possible to have a great work/life balance? Are entrepreneurs inherently attracted to “shiny things”? Is there really a formula for success? Host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles ask this and more in this final installment of our interview with Capital At Play publisher Oby Morgan. Continue reading →

Ep. 090 – Capital At Play’s Oby Morgan, Part 5

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Oby Morgan

Oby Morgan

How important is it to establish company culture? Is it something that needs to be set right away, or is it better to shape it as you go. Is it better to let the process of building momentum take over your life after starting a new company, or should to force yourself to step on the brakes from time to time? In this episode, host Tom Ryan and Capital At Play publisher Oby Morgan explore the kinds of questions that rarely arise outside of the high-intensity entrepreneurial lifestyle. Continue reading →