Rick Smith (Ep.71) – CEO & Founder, Axon (Formerly TASER)

September 16, 2019

Episode 71 features Rick Smith, Founder and CEO of Axon (Formerly TASER). Rick talks about his journey of how he came upon the Taser device and grew this business through many twists and turns as well as his mission to make the bullet obsolete with his new book, “The End of Killing”.

Some topics we cover:

  • Impact his father had on his journey to entrepreneurship 
  • Being fascinated with robotics
  • Impact tragedy had on his life
  • Starting a company in his early 20’s
  • Hiring and brining in the right people
  • The company almost closing
  • Performance-based Pay
  • Writing a book

Find Rick Online:

Website: https://www.axonrick.com/

Axon Website: https://www.axon.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/axonrick/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/axonrick

His new book, “The End of Killing”: https://www.amazon.com/End-Killing-Technologies-Humanitys-Problem/dp/1989025536

About Rick:

A pioneer of technology with the vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick founded the original company, TASER International, in 1993. As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick pushed the company beyond weapons technology and towards a broader purpose of matching technology to public safety needs in order to make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader in conducted energy weapon, body-worn cameras and software. In April 2017, TASER International officially changed its name to Axon Enterprise to better represent the entire network of devices, people and applications. Today, more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies in more than 100 countries are a part of the Axon network.

Rick graduated from Harvard with a B.S. in Neuroscience (Cum Laude) and later earned a Master in International Finance from the University of Leuven in Belgium and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Rick’s mission to obsolete the bullet has been chronicled in The New Yorker as well as ForbesandGQ. Rick’s 2018 op-ed on suggesting a grand challenge to help reduce gun violence in schools was published by CNBC. That same year, Rick was named one of Arizona’s Most Admired Leaders by Phoenix Business Journal and Axon was named one of 2018’s Most Admired Companies by Arizona Business Magazine. Rick rocked the tech industry when he announced a first-of-its-kind employee compensation plan allowing employees to align their pay directly with value creation for shareholders. The eXponential Stock Performance Plan earned media coverage in Bloomberg, GeekWire, World at Workand more.

Rick is a frequent guest on CNBC’s Mad Money and has also appeared on CBS’ This Morning, The Street and more.

“Many people concerned about gun violence want to alter laws. Rick Smith is focusing on a tech solution.” – Geekwire

“Can the Manufacturer of Tasers Provide the Answer to Police Abuse?” – The New Yorker

“Billion-dollar award made CEO uneasy. Now he’s fixing it.” – Bloomberg

“Rick Smith is known as the ‘Steve Jobs of policing technology’ — and this book reflects his well-deserved reputation. Rick envisions a world free of gun violence. This is a must-read for those who share his bold vision to enhance safety in our communities!” – Kathleen O’Toole, Former Police Chief

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visithttps://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako 

The Toolbox of Knowledge – One Mic with Brian Ondrako

September 12, 2019
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In this One Mic session, I discuss a topic that has been fascinating to me recently around acquiring knowledge and using it to improve yourself daily. A short episode but hopefully a lot of good nuggets for everyone.

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako

Nir Eyal (Ep.70) – Best-Selling Author | Blogger | Founder

September 9, 2019

Episode 70 is here and features Best-Selling Author, Blogger, and Founder, Nir Eyal. Nir shares stories about his journey into entrepreneurship, how he got into writing, as well as, we talk about his new book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

Some topics we cover:

  • Wanting to be a fighter pilot
  • Being obese as a kid
  • Being in an improve comedy group
  • Working in the Consulting business
  • Starting a Solar business
  • Going to Stanford Business School
  • Authoring Books
  • Intimacy
  • And much more…

Find Nir Online:

Website: https://www.nirandfar.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/

Nir’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/Nir-Eyal/e/B00HJ8021I

About Nir:

Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The M.I.T. Technology Review dubbed Nir, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.”

Nir founded two tech companies since 2003 and has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, Nir’s writing has been featured inThe Harvard Business Review, TechCrunch, and Psychology Today.

Nir is also an active investor in habit-forming technologies. Some of his past investments include Eventbrite (NYSE:EB), Refresh.io (acquired by LinkedIn), Worklife (acquired by Cisco), Product Hunt, Marco Polo, Presence Learning, 7 Cups, Pana, Kahoot!, Byte Foods, FocusMate, and Anchor.fm (acquired by Spotify).

Nir attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University.

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visithttps://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako

Molly Dare Hillenbrand (Ep.69) – Founder of hillenBRAND Media

September 3, 2019

Episode 69 features the Founder of hillenBRAND Media, Molly Dare Hillenbrand. Had a wonderful discussion with this “late bloomer” entrepreneur who shares the ups and downs of her journey and how she has been able to grow her brand and the brand of others.

Some topics we discuss are:

  • Being a “late bloomer” to entrepreneurship
  • Studying Psychology in College
  • Working on Wall Street
  • Handling Divorce
  • Opening her Children’s Store
  • Being vulnerable online
  • Starting hillenBRAND Media
  • Being a participant on Social Movement TV docuseries (launches Summer of 2020 on Amazon Prime/iTunes)

Find Molly Online:

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollydare/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillenBRANDmedia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillenBRANDmedia/

Social Movement TV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialmovementtv/

Social Movement TV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialmovementtv/

About Molly:

Molly is known for her fun and outgoing presence on camera as well as being a PR powerhouse! Founder of hillenBRAND Media, she focuses on PR for brands and businesses all over the world. 

Molly hails from Princeton, New Jersey and has called both New York City and Chicago home before moving to South Florida in 2016. She started her professional career at Goldman Sachs in NYC, moved on to the PR world in the music industry and after her two beautiful children were born she opened two successful luxury children’s clothing stores in NJ and Chicago.

Her greatest love is her two children and she is a passionate philanthropist spending many years fundraising for Operation Smile and on numerous committees for local charities.

Molly is a staple in the south Florida social scene while dividing her time between South Florida and Chicago for her role as TV Host for both Eye on South Florida and Eye On Chicago. – always on the hunt to bring you the best of the best in up and coming brands, businesses and people.

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visithttps://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako 

Farnoosh Brock (Ep.68) – Business & Leadership Coach

August 26, 2019

Episode 68 features Business & Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Author Farnoosh Brock. Farnoosh shares her journey of moving to the United States, working up the corporate ladder, and venturing out on her own to start her Business & Leadership coaching business.

Find Farnoosh Online:

Website: https://www.farnooshbrock.com

Business Website: https://www.prolificliving.com/

Her Books: https://www.amazon.com/Farnoosh-Brock/e/B005BCHBTA

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbahram/

Some Topics we cover:

  • Being born and raised in Iran
  • Self-Discipline
  • Resigning from her Corporate job
  • Overcoming early failure
  • Having a support system
  • Starting Prolific Living
  • Following the energy
  • Being an Author

About Farnoosh:

Farnoosh Brock went from electrical engineer and rising leader at a Fortune 100 to a business coach, speaker, and consultant. She has helped many entrepreneurs and businesses to use her mindset and framework of genuine serving to build deep trust, create meaningful relationships and scalable profits. In addition to her latest book, The Serving Mindset: Stop Selling and Grow Your Business, she is the creator of Crack the Code to Get Promoted, a leadership and career advancement course for corporate professionals as well as the author of three health books and a wellness program.

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visithttps://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako

Fennell Family (Ep.67) – Founders, Fennell Adventures

August 19, 2019

Episode 67 features the Fennell Family – Jennaye (Parent/Mother), Jiyah (15), Jace (11), Merl (10). I met this family at the Next Gen Summit and was impressed with their mission, work ethic, and positive attitude. The fact that all of them, especially the kids, have published books and are continuing to create great content goes to show that age really doesn’t matter and what matters most is bringing a positive mindset and strong work ethic to each and every day and never giving up!

Find the Fennell Family Online:

Website: www.fennelladventures.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fennelladventures/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4VkOkkGuvcMuJsxCqmhKg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fennellbooks

About the Fennell Family:

An adventurous, loving family of strong faith that believes in the motto, “LIVE LIFE to the FULLEST!”

Currently featuring 3 young siblings; Jiyah 15, Jace 11, Merl 10 and Jennaye an inspirational mother that are authors of an AMAZING unique book series, professional face painters, speakers, rappers, podcasters, travelers with an inspirational cartoon!

Jiyah Fennell – 15-year old author

Jiyah started face painting when she was only 9 years old. She has painted for celebrities and she teaches face painting to other children to become entrepreneurs. Her first book, Princess Jiyah’s Face Painting Fairytale demonstrates her painting skills and teaches positive character traits. 

Jace Fennell – 11-year old author

Jacewas just 9 years old when he wrote his first book, Journey through Hawaii with Jace. He later wrote his second book, Journey through Cuba with Jace. He is an honor roll student in his 5th grade class and an inspiration to many. 

Merl Fennell – 10-year old author

Merl began his writing career when he was just 8 years old. He has written 2 books in the family series, Journey through Texas with Merl and Journey through New Orleans with Merl. The books can be read over 25 different ways, teaches learning concepts such as the alphabet, counting in English and Spanish, rhyming, and includes family pictures. 

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visithttps://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako

Trophy Brewing Co. (Ep.66) – Raleigh, North Carolina

August 12, 2019

On this episode of the Podcast I visited onsite with two of the Co-Founders of Trophy Brewing Company. Woody Lockwood and Chris Powers, along with their CBO (Chief Brewing Officer) Les Stewart, where we talk all things breweries and business. Was a pleasure to get to sit down with them and find out about their journey to becoming one of the best breweries in the Triangle of North Carolina!

Find Trophy Brewing Co. Online:

Website: https://www.trophybrewing.com

Trophy Brewing & Pizza:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophybrewing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrophyBrewing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trophybrewing

Trophy Brewing & Taproom

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophymaywood/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trophymaywood/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trophymaywood

Trophy Tap & Table

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trophytapandtable/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trophytapandtable/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrophyTapTable

State of Beer

Website: https://www.stateof.beer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofbeernc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stateofbeernc

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://brianondrako.com/ or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about me and what’s going on in my world check out https://brianondrako.com/now/ or find me on Instagram at @brianondrako 

Dr. Russell Thackeray (Ep.65) – Founder & CEO, QED

August 8, 2019

Brilliant conversation on Episode 65 with Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Russell Thackeray. It was interesting to hear Russell’s perspective from many years working with individuals and organizations about where there are areas of improvement and where organizations need to put some more focus to improve their culture, trust with employees, and overall growth strategy to remain relevant and competitive in their market.

Some Topics covered are:

  • Being a professional musician
  • Switching careers
  • Mindset 
  • Organizational Feedback 
  • Having Professional conversations
  • and much more!

Find Russell Online:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellthackeray/

QED Website: https://qedod.com/

About Russell:

With more than 20 years of professional experience, U.K.-based Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Russell Thackeray has been assisting individuals and organizations to drive change and achieve their goals by building accountability and resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of QED – https://qedod.com/ – an Organizational Development Consultancy that helps organizations improve people performance and business value. He frequently works with “soft issues” in business by building strong cultures and the emotional and mental toughness that allows people to thrive. He has worked with a diverse range of companies and organizations in the U.S. and worldwide including Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, GKN, Asda, QinetiQ, The Guardian, major universities, as well as numerous private equity and venture capital firms. As a coach, trainer and speaker, Dr. Thackeray drives sustainable change by creating accountability through resilience techniques and other methods to help people at all levels succeed and live their “best life”.

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://shows.pippa.io/justgetstarted or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about the host, Brian Ondrako, check out https://brianondrako.com or find Brian on Instagram at @brianondrako 

Lastly, intro music compliments of https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music – Thank you!

Krystian Leonard (Ep.64) – Founder, Shining S.C.A.R.S.

August 6, 2019

Episode 64 introduced the audience to Krystian Leonard, Founder of Shining S.C.A.R.S Not-For-Profit Organization, Author, Miss West Virginia Pageant participant, and the list goes on.

I had a wonderful conversation with Krystian when I met her in person at the Next Gen Summit in early June 2019 and wanted to dive deeper into her journey and share that with the audience. We covered a lot in a short time.

Topics included:

  • Miss West Virginia Competition
  • The Zombie Club Movie
  • Getting her first scars when she was 4
  • Dealing with bullying at school
  • Meeting Miss West Virginia Tiffany Lawrence
  • Being Positive to herself each day
  • Writing her book, Shining Scars
  • Getting involved with Next Gen

I know you all will enjoy this wide-ranging conversation and please see some more information below about Krystian.

Find Krystian Online:

Website: http://shiningscars.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KrystianSScars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystian_shiningscars/

Shining Scars Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1946664162/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=8wLBTp7drRk

EDUCom Website – https://educom.world/

About Krystian:

Krystian is a 22-year-old from Morgantown, West Virginia, currently attending West Virginia University in her senior year studying broadcast journalism. Krystian founded her non-profit organization, Shining S.C.A.R.S., at the age of 14. S.C.A.R.S. stands for finding strength, building character for self-acceptance to rise above the stigma. Overcoming stigmas related to all scars is at the heart of this unique organization. The passion behind Shining S.C.A.R.S. stems from Krystian’s own personal battle and experiences resulting from visible scars beginning at the age of 4. Her surgeries left behind several large scars and she endured first-hand the trials and self-esteem issues associated with taunts and bullying because of those scars. Her nonprofit works to gather funding to provide her children’s book Shining Scars, to children’s hospitals and recovery centers treating patients relating to burns, cleft palate, spina bifida and cancer recovery and others. By creating a positive and character building organization it is Krystian’s goal to build an informative community aiding in the healing process. You can learn how to get involved by visiting www.shiningscars.com 

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://shows.pippa.io/justgetstarted or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about the host, Brian Ondrako, check out https://brianondrako.com or find Brian on Instagram at @brianondrako 

Lastly, intro music compliments of https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music – Thank you!

Chau Mui (Ep.63) – Founder, Ciaooo! Magazine

July 30, 2019

Episode 63 features the Founder of Ciaooo! Magazine, Chau Mui. I met Chau at the Next Gen Summit in NYC a couple months back and was blown away by her experiences and intellect as well as her eagerness to continue learning and adapting. She’s had quite a journey thus far and we had a fun time exploring some of her early years and how that helped her evolve into the business woman she is today.

Some topics discussed were:

  • Growing up in Manhattan and Brooklyn
  • Dumplings, a lot of dumplings
  • Dropping out of college to try to be a actress/film maker
  • Traveling to Machu Picchu (What the sky could’ve looked like at night – https://www.space.com/21961-milky-way-machu-picchu-photo.html)
  • Ciaooomag.com and the inception
  • and much more….

I know you all will enjoy Chau’s cool experiences and fun personality and I’m sure there’ll be a few acorns you can burrow away for later on in your own journey.

Find Chau Online:

Website: https://ciaooomag.com/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaufornow/

Ciaoomag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciaooomag/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaumui/

About Chau:

Chau Mui is a native New Yorker and the founder of ciaooo! Magazine. Prior to founding the NYC based editorial site and events company, Chau was a documentary filmmaker, travel blogger, and former college dropout. Her travels and writing have taken her on a cross country roadtrip living out of the car across 38 states in the US, and backpacking mostly, solo, through 25 countries around the world. 

She spent the last 7 years in advertising where she cut her teeth in the digital content world with some of the top production companies and directors in the world. Her goal is to showcase local, mom and pop shops and serve as a platform for diverse, up and coming talent in NYC. You can follow her at @ciaooomag on Instagram or sign up for the newsletter at www.ciaooomag.com. 

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For more episodes of the Just Get Started Podcast visit https://shows.pippa.io/justgetstarted or Follow the Just Get Started Podcast on Instagram at @justgetstartedpodcast or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/justgetstartedpodcast

To learn more about the host, Brian Ondrako, check out https://brianondrako.com or find Brian on Instagram at @brianondrako 

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