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Co-founder and CEO of Qwaltec, Inc., Shawn Linam, shares the unique journey which led to her role as chief executive of an aerospace engineering company. As you hear her story, the idea of resilience emerges time and again as she recounts moving frequently as a young girl, struggling with math, and navigating the male-dominated engineering profession. But through it all, you will hear the constant refrain of hard work, finding your passion, and the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities.
Shawn has led Qwaltec from three employees (the original founders) in 2001 to 65 employees today. Her company provides support for manned and unmanned space flight programs for both government and private entities. She also plays an active role in the community where, among other things, she mentors young women and serves as the STEM Director for the Girls Rule Foundation.
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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This week's conversation with Joel Grimes ties together several subjects - entrepreneurship, art, passion, hard work, intuition, competition in the marketplace, and overcoming obstacles. Drawing upon his real world experience as an acclaimed photographer, who nearly gave up on his dream were it not for a college professor who encouraged him to move beyond a limitation some would consider a non-starter for a photographer, Joel shares marketplace insights relevant to everyone from CEOs to students.
Joel teaches classes all over the world related to lighting and photography, and he holds the distinction of being both one of Canon's Explorers of Light and one of Adobe Photoshop's Spotlight Artists. Additionally, he continues to work as a professional commercial photographer in Arizona and around the world.
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Joel Grimes Photography & Joel Grimes Workshops
Kimber Lanning is the founder and executive director of Local First Arizona, a nonprofit that supports, promotes, and advocates for a strong local business community here in Arizona. In our conversation, Kimber shares how this passion for locally-grown businesses and her connection to "place" developed. Additionally, Kimber owns both Stinkweeds new and used record store and Modified Arts gallery and performance space.
Kimber discusses the foundations of Local First Arizona's mission, and explains how she engages with employees and communities/neighborhoods to advance that mission. Additionally, she discusses how she views entrepreneurship through the lens of hometown pride and connection to the individuals in your community and neighborhood. She also mentions several former podcast guests whose companies exemplify those locally grown businesses, such as Infusionsoft, U-Haul, Upward Projects, and PING.
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Find out more about the Arizona Chamber at: www.azchamber.com
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What happens when your organization or an individual or team within your organization fails?
This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni.
Today, Michael discusses the characteristics of both leaders and organizations who can push through failure and come out better on the other side. Past conversations with several guests, including Joe Shoen (U-Haul), Tom Sadvary (HonorHealth), and Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), touched on this subject, so we decided to pause and explore it further.
Next week we will be back with our regular program where we talk with another Arizona Original! Hope you join us again next week.
Check out the show notes on our website: Arizona Originals
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
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This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. These special episodes - which will appear from time to time - address topics raised in prior podcast episodes and allows us to take a moment to dig a little deeper.
Today, Michael discusses the value of mentoring at all levels of an organization. Past conversations with several guests, including Dr. Mike Berens (TGen) and Courtney Klein (SEED SPOT), touched on this subject, so we decided to pause and explore it further. We even touch on the need for leaders to get honest input...an issue raised by Lauren Bailey (Upward Projects) just a few weeks ago.
This is the first of several conversations we have with Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. Michael is based in Arizona.
This week Lauren Bailey, CEO of Upward Projects, joins us for a great conversation about entrepreneurship, being in the people business, collaboration, parenting, and so much more.
Lauren is a co-founder of Upward Projects - a locally focused group of restaurateurs in Phoenix. Their brands include Postino WineCafe, Joyride Taco House, Windsor/Churn and Federal Pizza. She serves on the boards of both Local First Arizona and the Entrepreneurs Organization, as well as serving as a steering committee member for Devour Phoenix. Additionally, she has received recognition for her accomplishments from such diverse entities as the Arizona Republic, the Phoenix Business Journal, the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, and the Arizona Restaurant Association.
Today's guest, Tom Sadvary, has spent the past 30 years in various leadership roles at what is today HonorHealth, the second largest hospital system in Arizona. Since 2005, he has served as CEO of Scottsdale Healthcare which merged with John C. Lincoln Health Network to become HonorHealth.
Tom shares his professional story which begins with him riding in the back of ambulances as a paramedic in Pittsburgh. From there, his passion for leading hospital organizations ultimately brought him to Arizona. And in our conversation, he discusses the core lessons learned as a paramedic and how they have influenced his leadership style and the culture of HonorHealth.
Tom was recently recognized by Scottsdale Leadership with the (Herb) Drinkwater Leadership Award. The award is given to those who exemplify engagement, inclusion, connection, courage and stewardship. You will hear each of those areas discussed in our conversation and I know you will hear something to help you grow as a leader and as a person.
Today's guests are Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, the founders of Childhelp. Since 1959, Sara and Yvonne have dedicated themselves to caring for orphans and abused children in the US and around the world. Their story begins in 1950s Hollywood and takes us to Japan, Vietnam, and ultimately right here to Arizona when they relocated their headquarters here 22 years ago.
Our conversation demonstrates the passion and compassion Sara and Yvonne have for children, and how various events - many unexpected - over the course of their lives have shaped them as leaders and changed the lives of countless children. Their stories and wisdom will inspire and encourage you.
Today's guest is Denise Resnik - the founder and CEO of DRA Collective, co-founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), and founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ. The mother of an adult son on the autism spectrum, Denise has not only run her marketing and communications business, but she has dedicated herself to giving back to her community, including making Arizona a leader when it comes to supporting those affected by autism.
In our conversation, Denise covers a host of topics ranging from mentoring, the importance of pouring back into the community, why investors are attracted to vision and collaboration, and so much more.
Our guest this week is Tran Tran, founder and CEO of Axis Employment Services located in Phoenix, Arizona. Axis has been recognized time and time again as a top minority owned business and a top staffing agency in Arizona.
In our conversation, Tran shares her story about growing up in Saigon and how her family fled Vietnam just before the fall of Saigon in 1975. Within just a few months, her family settled in Arizona after a local dentist sponsored them. In addition to telling the stories surrounding her family's escape from Vietnam, Tran shares her insights on family, culture, leadership, delegation, building a team, and so much more.
This week, we're joined by Jim Scussel, co-founder of Four Peaks Brewing Company. A Phoenix native, Jim tells the story of how he moved around the country with his family and, ultimately, moved back to Arizona after one of his bosses did not give him a raise. His story proves you never know what events will set your life on a different trajectory.
Jim discusses many issues related to entrepreneurship, team building, the art and science of brewing beer, and much more.
This week's podcast features Jim Adkins - lead singer and lead guitarist for Jimmy Eat World. The band has been together since 1993 and has released nine albums, and they have always been based in Arizona.
Jim covers a wide range of topics:
- his definition of success and failure
- the evolution of gratitude especially with the smaller things in life (and on the road)
- utilizing outside perspective to help shape your work and art
- the difference between playing with the band a going on a solo tour
- and so much more...
CB Dollaway is a mixed martial artist currently fighting in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). CB came to Arizona when Arizona State University recruited him into their wresting program from Colby Community College (in Colby, Kansas) where he was an NJCAA Division I All-American Champion. In our conversation, CB talks about his unexpected journey from college, to corporate life, and ultimately to the UFC.
Today, in addition to being a professional athlete, CB has just opened his own training gym, DMA Life Club, and in the planning stages of starting a non-profit focused on veterans.
In our conversation, CB talks about life as both a wrestler and a mixed martial artist. He discusses how mental preparedness, attitude, strategy, and resilience have helped make him a world class fighter.
Jim Click, Jr. moved to Tucson in 1971 to turn around a struggling Ford dealership. Fast forward 45 years, and Jim Click has become one of Arizona's premiere car dealers and philanthropists. Jim has dealerships for Ford, Lincoln, Dodge, RAM, Chrysler, Jeep, Mazda, Nissan, Kia, and Hyundai in Tucson, Green Valley, and also in Orange County, CA.
In our conversation, Jim shares the story of how he ultimately began in the car business after growing up in Oklahoma and earning a business degree from Oklahoma State University (where he was a Scholastic All-American football player, captain of the football team, and made the Dean's Honor Roll every semester). Among other topics, he recounts the stories of how two men, Holmes Tuttle and Jim Click, Sr., influenced him at various stages of his life and taught him valuable lessons which serve him today.
This week our podcast features retired United States Air Force Brigadier General Ron Shoopman. In 2004, Ron assumed the role of president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and continues to serve in the capacity as CEO of that organization. His diverse career accomplishments include serving as the wing commander of the 162nd Fighter Wing where he commanded the International F-16 Training Wing for the USAF. On the civilian side, Ron has worked for Gates Learjet Corporation, flew for Continental Airlines, and served as an instructor pilot and manager for Flight Safety International.
During our conversation, Ron shares his story and the lessons he has learned about leadership, accountability, collaboration, and how to encourage growth within organizations. He also shares his thoughts about how organizations can focus their efforts and not dilute their effectiveness by asking "what not to do." Throughout, Ron shares his lessons learned from both the private sector and military, and you will benefit from his insights.