Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

In episode 184 of the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Eronica Dew, the dynamic leader behind BES Solutions Inc. Eronica’s journey is as colorful as the napkin she shared her wisdom on, spanning from military service to a thriving entrepreneurial career in government contracting. Throughout the conversation, Eronica highlighted the importance of honesty and transparency as keys to success, not just in business but in life. A Path More Meaningful Eronica’s story is one of resilience and authenticity. From her early days in the military, where she served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force, to her current role as a successful entrepreneur in a highly competitive field, her path has been marked by a commitment to being true to herself and those around her. Her experiences in the military taught her the value of discipline and integrity, qualities that she has carried forward into her business career. After her military service, Eronica transitioned into government roles, where sh

In episode 183 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vernon Oakes, the host of Everything Cooperative, and a passionate advocate for the cooperative business model. With years of experience in real estate, business education, and cooperative development, Vernon’s mission is to empower communities and transform economies through the power of cooperatives. The Beginning of a Cooperative Journey Vernon’s journey into the world of cooperatives began with a simple yet profound observation: “Watching everyday people make powerful business decisions started my journey to love cooperatives.” This was the wisdom he shared on his paper napkin during our conversation. He realized that when people come together to pool resources, make decisions, and share profits, something truly transformative happens. What is a Cooperative? A cooperative, as Vernon explains, is a business model that is owned and operated by the people who use its services. Unlike traditional businesses where decisions are mad

In episode 182 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we continue our insightful conversation with Diego Osorio, CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila. This episode builds upon part one (episode 181), where Diego shared how he’s defied expectations to bring his passion for innovation and authenticity to the spirits industry. In part two, Diego deepens the discussion on legacy, leadership, and the importance of staying true to one's values while continuously pushing boundaries. Diego’s journey is not one of straightforward success. As he describes it, his path from actor to CEO of a groundbreaking tequila brand is one marked by challenges, creative risks, and a fierce commitment to his vision. “An actor from Spain is not supposed to put Sherry in Tequila,” Diego remarks, highlighting the unconventional nature of his brand’s origin. Yet, it is this defiance of traditional norms that has become the cornerstone of Lobos 1707’s identity. One of the most remarkable aspects of Diego’s leadership is his respect for tradition, combined with a

In the latest episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Diego Osorio, CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila. Diego shares the remarkable journey of transforming a passion for storytelling and heritage into a successful tequila brand. With his unique background and innovative approach, Diego has made a significant impact in the spirits industry, infusing Lobos 1707 with a rich cultural legacy and a modern entrepreneurial spirit. Diego Osorio’s Vision for Lobos 1707 Tequila From its inception, Lobos 1707 has been more than just a tequila brand. It represents the art of craftsmanship, the pride of heritage, and the power of community. Diego Osorio, driven by a vision to honor his family’s heritage, has turned Lobos 1707 into a global brand that stands for authenticity and quality. Diego's journey began with a deep appreciation for storytelling and a desire to share his family's traditions. He quickly realized that the tequila industry was the perfect platform to combine these passions. Lobos 1707 i

In Episode 180 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Raeanne Lacatena—a holistic business coach, mental health professional, Reiki master, and mother of three. Raeanne brings a fresh, integrative perspective to life and business, seamlessly weaving together her multifaceted roles. Our conversation delved deep into growth, transformation, and the natural cycles that influence every aspect of our lives. Raeanne's paper napkin wisdom struck a profound chord: "Business can be a series of deaths and rebirths, destruction for creation." This powerful metaphor beautifully captures the cyclical nature of both business and life. It's a reminder that success isn't a straight, upward trajectory but a dynamic process of evolution, transformation, and renewal. For entrepreneurs and leaders who often feel the pressure of constant growth, this perspective can be both liberating and enlightening. Embracing Destruction for Creation We discussed how business and life mirror natural processes—like th

Embrace Your Reality with Molly Booker Introduction Welcome to another enriching episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Molly Booker, a transformational author and coach whose insights on self-discovery and personal growth have inspired many. Molly is known for her powerful memoirs and her ability to guide individuals through their journeys of self-awareness and resilience. In this episode, Molly shares her wisdom on a range of topics, focusing on the profound impact of embracing one’s own reality. The Essence of Self-Discovery In our conversation, Molly delves deep into the concept of self-discovery. She begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding that “what others say about you is their reality, not yours.” This powerful statement sets the tone for the discussion, highlighting the significance of owning one’s narrative and not being swayed by external perceptions. Navigating Through Emotional Landscapes Molly discusses the various emotional landscapes we navigate th

In episode 178 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we were delighted to welcome back Peter Shankman, an entrepreneur, author, and renowned keynote speaker. Known for founding Source of Sources (SOS), Help a Reporter Out (HARO), Mental Capital and his focus on neurodiversity, Peter has continually pushed boundaries in both his personal and professional life. During this insightful conversation, Peter shared a simple but impactful mantra: “Do the scary thing.” This nugget of wisdom has played a pivotal role in shaping Peter's successes and life philosophy. Why Do the Scary Thing? "Everything I've ever done in my life that's been successful... has started by my doing the scary thing," Peter explained. Whether it’s jumping off cliffs, both literal and metaphorical, he attributes much of his growth to embracing fear and risk. This philosophy pushes individuals to leave the safety of their comfort zones and explore the unknown. For Peter, "the scary thing" has driven decisions in both his personal adventures, like skydiving an

In memory of John, and to support his family during this difficult time, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor. In Appreciation of John Ruhlin - Lessons that Live and Love On John Ruhlin was more than just an entrepreneur; he was a master of appreciation, a man whose philosophy of valuing others left an indelible mark on everyone he met. As we reflect on his life and legacy, it's clear that John's lessons on appreciation continue to resonate deeply, influencing both personal and professional relationships. In a recent series of conversations with some of John's closest friends—Cameron Herold, John Di Julius, Shep Hyken, and John O'Leary—each of them shared profound insights into the impact John had on their lives and careers. Cameron Herold began the conversation by reminding us of John’s core belief: "Love Bombing." Cameron emphasized that this simple yet powerful principle was something John lived by every day. Whether in business or personal life, John believed that rec

The Magic of Mind and Story: A Conversation with Derek Selinger In our recent podcast episode, we had the privilege of hosting Derek Selinger, a renowned mentalist, magician, and keynote speaker. Derek's career is a testament to his dedication to the art of illusion and the study of human psychology. His performances are not just about magic tricks but about creating profound experiences that challenge perceptions and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Early Inspirations and Journey Derek’s journey into the world of magic began at a young age. "I was always fascinated by how easily our minds could be influenced," he shared. This curiosity led him to delve into the realms of magic and mentalism, where he found a perfect blend of art and science. His early experiences were filled with challenges, but they also shaped his unique approach to performance. The Art of Storytelling in Magic One of the most compelling aspects of Derek’s work is his emphasis on storytelling. "Storytelling is at the heart of what

In this insightful episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman engages in a profound and enlightening conversation with Genevieve Piturro, the remarkable founder of the Pajama Program. This nonprofit organization has provided over seven million pajamas and books to children in need, offering them comfort and a sense of security. Genevieve’s journey from a successful corporate career to following her true calling is detailed in her book "Purpose, Passion, and Pajamas," and serves as a testament to the transformative power of collective purpose, passion, and perseverance. The Power of One Another Genevieve opens the conversation by challenging the often-celebrated notion of the "power of one." While society tends to laud individual achievements, she highlights the significant impact of collective efforts. "It's not the power of one that changes things. It's the power of one another that moves mountains and moves people," Genevieve asserts. This profound realization dawned on her as she witnessed the rapid

Perry Solomon's story is one of resilience, demonstrating how grit—comprised of passion and perseverance—can drive success even in the face of immense challenges. About Perry Solomon Perry Solomon is a serial entrepreneur with over four decades of experience. He is the founder of Aleratec, a company known for its innovative consumer electronics products. Today, Perry is the president of Solomon Growth Advisors, where he provides strategic advice to emerging businesses, particularly in navigating the complexities of Amazon and e-commerce platforms. His expertise spans e-commerce, consumer products, computer electronics sales, marketing, and product development. The Power of Grit At the core of Perry Solomon's message is the idea that grit is essential for achieving long-term success. Drawing inspiration from Angela Duckworth's research, Perry emphasizes that grit is a combination of passion and perseverance. This concept has been pivotal in his own journey, helping him overcome significant setbacks and re

In this thought-provoking episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman engages in a profound conversation with Dmitry Buterin, an entrepreneur who has successfully built businesses from the ground up and navigated the complex landscape of technology and personal growth. Dmitry’s journey is a testament to the power of self-recognition, the fluidity of life, and the importance of embracing the present moment. For leaders, his insights provide invaluable guidance on how to lead with authenticity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of human experience. The Blank Napkin: Symbolizing Infinite Possibilities The episode begins with Dmitry presenting a blank napkin, symbolizing infinite possibilities and the undefined nature of human experience. This blank slate represents the freedom to explore, question, and redefine one’s path without being confined by preconceived notions or rigid structures. For leaders, this concept is particularly relevant. Leading a team or an organization requires the ability to ada

Know Your True North In the latest episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we had the pleasure of hosting Chris Schmitt, a distinguished high-performance coach with Azimuth Consulting Group. Chris brings a unique perspective to leadership, drawing from his extensive experience as a United States Army Special Forces Green Beret and his work with top-tier companies like Starbucks, Google, Meta, and Uber. His approach to leadership is rooted in self-awareness, empowerment, and the ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Chris Schmitt served 30 years in the military, during which he commanded, planned, and executed special operations missions worldwide. His military career equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership in high-stakes environments, a perspective he now applies to coaching corporate leaders. Chris emphasizes the importance of "knowing your azimuth"—a concept that represents one's true path or purpose in life. The Importance of Knowing Your Azimuth One of the key concepts Chris discussed

Best-selling author, world renowned customer service expert, founder of the DiJulius Group, business success – John DiJulius III has tapped into something special. On this podcast, John discusses applying his methodology beyond business, and why his life purpose is to “live an extraordinary life, so that others will.” Stating your purpose isn’t enough. You have to deliver what you say and what you declare happen. “We all have seeds of potential,” John asserts, “and the seeds of potential that we don’t grow to their fullest potential...cheats all the people that are dependent on us.” Many people just say that they want to live an extraordinary life, but they don’t do the things that can get them there. John reveals why he tells his employees, “I don’t want your best…,” while sharing inspirational tips and perspectives. “When each of us chose to be...a leader, we gave up the right to make excuses.” Their best is not needed. The only thing that is needed from an individual is to make a difference. For John, his

“Great leaders set high expectations for their teams, but even higher expectations for themselves,” says Mandy Burage, Director of Operations at Petra Coach. She explains that through the course of her childhood and early career, she encountered many personal and professional disappointments stemming from the fact that she set very high expectations for herself, while others did not set the same expectations for themselves, and as a result, team successes were adversely impacted. Later, Mandy realized that when leaders, especially entrepreneurs, set high expectations for the team, and even higher goals for themselves, it leads to success. “When recruiting and hiring, I look for team players who possess motivation and high expectations,” says Mandy. “However, they also must be self-starters who follow through on tasks without needing to be ‘managed’ constantly. If a team member can’t fulfill their role independently, it slows the progress of every team member and hinders overall success.” Mandy also notes that

How are you doing on your goals for the year? Your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you even remember what they were? So many times we’re hard on ourselves for the early misses. We say we’re going to eat low or no carbs, three weeks in we’ve eaten some delicious pastry, fries, or even cake and abandon ship. We say we’re going to work out every morning, wake up earlier, go to sleep earlier, read more, watch less TV, connect more … whatever. Whatever it is, it’s important enough to declare and make a goal around, but behavior change is harder than that. It can take HUNDREDS of days to break a habit that you’ve had for many years. So here’s an idea – celebrate NOTICING that you’ve repeated the habit you want to change. Smile and give yourself a pat on the back for noticing that you’re repeating it and change then. Don’t beat yourself up … don’t get down on yourself. Celebrate catching yourself doing something you wanted to change and change it.  Sometimes you have to celebrate getting it wrong so that you can create t

The goal of Carey Anne Nadeau, founder of Open Data Nation, is to “bring expertise in open data and data science to bear on the most pressing urban issues.” What compelled her to start the company was that she “wanted something to exist that just didn’t exist.” She was frustrated, dissatisfied, and complaining. The industry tended to be a “boys’ club,” and she experienced this firsthand when she was getting paid significantly less than a male peer. “The structures that already existed were not supportive to my growth,” she says. When told by a friend she should just “do it herself” she found the inspiration to start her own business. She chose to focus on using data science for societal benefit – to improve health and safety in cities – and become a female role model. At one point, her entire company was female. This did not occur intentionally, but because it was mostly women who were motivated to do data statistics for the betterment of our society. Hence the title, “the future is female.” Carey Anne sees “

A client is calling and they want a discount because something went wrong. An employee is missing on targets and results are slipping, they need to be realigned. The bank just called and a supplier took payment of a delivery early via automated transfer and there’s a cash crunch. As a leader things come at us from all directions all the time – but how do we cope? Well, usually we need a little help to resolve all of these … sometimes from the other party. We can’t get their help with a closed fist – with a fight. Sure, sometimes we can beat them into submission. We can convince the customer that no – no discount that’s the way it is. We can levy consequences on our employees and hold them accountable, force them to do better. We can scream at the bank, or the supplier. Or … we can do the uncommon thing and be kind. Being kind opens the door to handling challenges from a position of opportunity, with an open hand … also allows people around you to help. Leverage is all about getting people to help you – especi

On this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, entrepreneur and author Damion Lupo makes his case for the gift of errors, “Mistakes are the universe gifting us wisdom, wrapped up inside the struggles in life.”  Damion further explains that throughout our lives, we make mistakes, and as we do, we are taught that mistakes are bad. As a result, we revere people, who we believe, do not err or who are perfect at what they do. In truth, perfection is a farce, a fabrication of society. To understand the depth of knowledge, and succeed in any endeavor, mistakes must be made and overcome. “If you want to succeed, don’t make mistakes, and don’t challenge authority; go with what you’re told to do.” Damion notes that this philosophy teaches people to become robots and puppets. Those who truly succeed are the ones think for themselves, who make mistakes, and who are willing to venture into the dark and learn from that void. From the corporate and entrepreneur point of view, Damion further discusses that people don’t always ackno

Life and leadership is a contact sport. You need to make contact with people every day as a leader and in life. There’s no avoiding it. So how do you build protection for the energy vampires that surround us? They are every where now. More and more. In the sea of all of that – remember that you need to bring protection with you. But where do you get it? How does that start? It’s starts when you wake up in the morning. Remember your bedroom is a no-cellphone zone. No electronics and blinky shiny lights to move you to the danger zone. Start by thinking great thoughts – better yet, write them down. But start somewhere … and thinking about the great day that could be is a good step in the right direction. Then, think about your intention for the day. Who do you want to … need to … show up as today? What can you give to the people around you via energy and intent? Set that mindset up with visualization, repetition. Think, write, and FEEL gratitude in the morning – let yourself feel the momentum that will create. U