Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the CEO and Founder of Shine Bright San Diego, Trevor Cook. Like many entrepreneurs, Trevor's journey began with a desire for change. After graduating from Western Michigan University, he felt the pull to break away from the familiar and venture into the unknown. With a spirit of adventure, he moved to San Diego without a concrete job offer, driven by the belief that there was more out there for him than the traditional 9-to-5 grind.Trevor's entry into the home services industry was serendipitous. A friend's suggestion led him to explore a field he had never considered before. Despite having no prior experience, Trevor found his calling in providing quality home services. His passion for the work and his commitment to excellence have been the cornerstones of his business for over a decade.The evolution of Shine Bright from a one-man operation to a top-rated home services company in San Diego didn't happen overnight. It required years of trial and error, a relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the development of robust systems and processes. Trevor's ability to envision the future of his company and his partnership with his office manager, Hannah, has been instrumental in creating a structured approach to training and leadership that has propelled the business forward.To learn more about Trevor's work, check out their website HERE.Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the Founder of The Mortgage Hut, Christopher Schutrups. Christopher's story is one of resilience and determination. Born in Scotland, he faced the harsh realities of the recession, which took a toll on his family's financial stability. His career trajectory began in a call center, a humble start that eventually led him to the mortgage business. Christopher's experiences underscore the unpredictable paths that can lead to success in our industry.Building a business is no small feat, and Christopher delved into the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Christopher discussed the transformative impact of technology across industries and the critical need for adaptability. The conversation highlighted the importance of learning from missteps and the value of resilience in overcoming obstacles.To learn more about Christopher's work, check out their website HERE.Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with Dr. David Bilstrom. David's story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. Raised in Illinois, his early passions for tennis and snowboarding were just the beginning of a life marked by exploration and discovery. His travels around the globe broadened his horizons and shaped his perspective on health and wellness.Transitioning from traditional to functional and integrative medicine, David emphasized the critical need to address the root causes of illness. His approach is not just about treating symptoms but providing holistic care that considers the entire individual. This shift was partly motivated by his mission to find solutions for his son's health challenges, a journey that led him to the profound impacts of acupuncture and integrative therapies.To learn more about David's work, check out their website HERE. Connect with David on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the Fractional CISO and Partner of North Wonders, Terry Ziemniak. Terry's story is as unique as it is enlightening. Growing up in a military family, he experienced a childhood filled with constant change, moving from state to state, and even spending time in Hawaii. This nomadic lifestyle taught him to adapt quickly—a skill that would later prove invaluable in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.Terry's interest in computers began in college at Michigan State, where he first got his hands on a computer. Back then, computer classes were split into two categories, hardware and software. Fast forward to today, the landscape has changed dramatically, with specialized programs in cybersecurity that reflect the growing complexity and importance of the field.After college, Terry's career path was anything but linear. He dabbled in various tech-related jobs, from building computers to installing software. His broad experience across different technologies laid the groundwork for his success in cybersecurity. Terry's ability to understand and communicate across multiple domains made him a versatile and effective security professional.To learn more about Terry's work, check out their website HERE. Connect with Terry on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the Podcast Host, Entrepreneurial Coach, Speaker, and Mastermind Facilitator of Simplifying Entrepreneurship, Pete Mohr. Growing up in Ottawa, Canada, with a father managing a large construction company and a mother who embodied the entrepreneurial spirit through her craft business, Pete was immersed in a world of business acumen from a young age. His childhood was a blend of city life and weekends on the farm, instilling in him a strong work ethic and a love for the great outdoors.Pete's entrepreneurial journey began early, with small ventures during his high school years. After studying business in college, he wasted no time in purchasing his first franchise, a bathroom renovation company, in 1994. This experience, coupled with his subsequent acquisition of a cleaning franchise, laid the foundation for his business expertise.Pete's approach to coaching through Simplifying Entrepreneurship is rooted in practical experience. He advocates for the "love it or leave it" exercise, encouraging business owners to delegate tasks that don't align with their strengths or passions. By finding team members who excel in areas like bookkeeping or email management, entrepreneurs can focus on strategic growth.Effective communication and process management are also pillars of Pete's methodology. He stresses the importance of involving managers and teams in decision-making, creating accountability charts, and establishing structured meetings to enhance organizational efficiency.To learn more about Pete's work, check out their website HERE. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn HERE. Check out Pete's podcast, Business Owner Breakthrough Podcast, HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the CEO of Red White and Badass Brew, Dustin Hayes. Growing up in Oklahoma, Dustin faced a challenging childhood marked by his mother's absence and his father's tough love. Dustin struggled in school due to undiagnosed ADHD and childhood trauma, which led to him being held back in first grade. Despite these early setbacks, Dustin's experiences laid the foundation for his future resilience in business and life.Dustin's military service was a significant chapter in his life, shaping his approach to business and personal identity. After sustaining injuries and retiring from the military, he faced a tough transition to civilian life. The lack of support and training during this period left him struggling to find employment and a sense of purpose.Determined to discover a new path, Dustin took on a handyman job and eventually started his own construction business. This venture gave him a taste of entrepreneurship and a renewed sense of direction. However, the road ahead was far from smooth.Dustin opened up about his hardships, including a partnership that soured, leading to financial ruin and losing his home. Personal struggles also weighed heavily on him, as he dealt with his son's drug issues and his daughter's suicide attempt. These events brought him to the brink of despair.It was a friend's intervention that finally pulled Dustin back from the edge and helped him start the journey toward healing. Coffee became a beacon of hope during this dark time, and it was this simple pleasure that sparked the idea for Red White and Badass Brew.To learn more about Dustin's work, check out their website HERE. Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the Founder of Speakeasy Mastermind and the Founder and CEO of Brandetize, Eric Berman. Eric's entrepreneurial path began when he decided to forgo a regular job after college, instead of diving into the world of startups. He was involved in building the first social media platform, College Club, on the brink of going public before the market crash in 2000. Despite this setback, Eric emerged with invaluable experiences that shaped his 20s and beyond.Transitioning from this early venture, Eric's consulting work with motivational speaker Brian Tracy led to the founding of his agency, Brandetize. His agency is dedicated to working with influencers, celebrities, and anyone looking to build a brand or product. At Brandetize, the focus is on building a following, creating products, and forming effective teams.To learn more about Eric's work, check out their website HERE and HERE.Connect with Eric on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the President and CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, Richard Blank. Born and raised near Philadelphia, Richard's story began at Abington High School, where he graduated in 1991. Unlike many of his peers who pursued conventional medical, law, or engineering paths, Richard followed his passion for the Spanish language. This decision led him to the University of Arizona, where he majored in Spanish and fully immersed himself in the culture by spending a year abroad in Spain.Richard reminisced about his transformative year, splitting his time between Cadiz, Madrid, and Sevilla. He described it as shedding his skin, a hero's journey that changed him profoundly. Without the distractions of television or phones, he soaked in life through museums, books, and personal interactions. This experience not only solidified his command of the Spanish language but also shaped his worldview and future career trajectory.Richard's life in Costa Rica is where he established a call center that stands out for its operational excellence and vibrant work culture. Richard shared his approach to training and employee engagement, emphasizing the significance of treating his team with dignity. He believes in creating a fun and engaging environment, which includes incorporating his passion for retro arcade games into the workplace. This gamification strategy fosters a sense of community and enjoyment, contributing to employee loyalty and the overall success of the business.To learn more about Richard's work, check out their website HERE. Connect with Richard on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.

In the inaugural episode of Executing the Vision, Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence interviews the creator and host of the show, Brad Hunter. Brad is the President of Emerge Labs, which offers businesses unique software solutions, tailored to their needs. Brad discusses his love of engaging with entrepreneurs from various industries, the insights he gained from these interactions, and his evolution into a business consultant and software developer. The podcast aims to feature guests who are visionary entrepreneurs, sharing their unique stories and experiences in scaling their businesses. Brad and Josh highlight the importance of technology, particularly AI, in improving business efficiency and invite visionary guests to join future episodes.Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE. Connect with Brad Hunter on LinkedIn HERE. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.