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After starting a successful media company while in college, Rand Stagen, at the age of 23 through executive coaching, discovered his passion for personal development. Rand founded Stagen Leadership Academy in 1999, which works with leaders from all over the country on concepts of Conscious Capitalism and taking individual responsibility for moving oneself and others toward desired goals. Listen as Rand shares with us why organizations are reflections of their leaders, why sobering conversations are necessary for growth, and how to get the organization you want. Rand Stagen is founder and CEO of Stagen Leadership Academy, is a Board Member and former Chairman of Conscious Capitalism, Inc., and a former chapter president of the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization. After growing up in Connecticut, Rand wanted a warmer climate and chose to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where his business is headquartered and he lives today with his wife and two daughters. www.stagen.com Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Elyse Dickerson struggled in school as a result of dyslexia but persevered to find her inner greatness and become a much respected and lauded CEO of her own company. Listen as Elyse shares how she was able to push through low expectations of educators throughout her childhood, and later, the gender-biased behaviors of colleagues to become the accomplished founder and leader of Eosera, a biotech company that is a pioneer in the Conscious Capitalism movement, putting purpose, people, and company values before profit. After starting her career in retail, Elyse Dickerson made a move to the pharmaceutical industry, where she spent 13 years at Alcon launching new products globally and managing a $1.7 billion product portfolio. When she realized she wanted to build her own innovative solutions that would improve the lives of people with healthcare challenges, she co-founded Eosera, a biotech company, in 2015. Elyse has earned honors such as Most Admired CEO and Fort Worthian to Watch, as well as awards like the Trailblazer Brand Champion Industry Award, the Women in Business Award from the Dallas Business Journal, and the Top Business Award from the Fort Worth Business Press. Elyse is also a mentor, mother, wife, accomplished athlete, and engaging public speaker who is a strong advocate for women in business and for gender equality. www.earcaremd.com Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

After taking over the family business unexpectedly with only three years’ executive experience under his belt, Larry J. Rybka was able to help grow Valmark Financial Group into an industry leader by constantly adapting to change, and building a team, second-to-none, that maintains the high standards and values his family established from the start. Listen as Larry shares the importance of why companies must be constantly innovating, making sure they have the right team in place, and then giving back to communities to grow relationships. Larry is a second-generation owner, Chairman, and CEO of Valmark Financial Group, the premier Broker Dealer of Choice for High Integrity Financial Firms. Valmark Financial Group was founded in 1963 by Larry’s father, Larry S. Rybka and has become an esteemed national powerhouse. Larry is a published author, has written numerous industry articles and White Papers, is often interviewed and quoted in publications like the Wall Street Journal, and has testified before the Ohio legislature on industry matters. Larry received a Distinguished Business Alumni Award, Outstanding Financial Executive Award, and the Lincoln Financial American Award, as well as awards for his authoring of journals and articles. Larry is an active contributor to several organizations including the Association for Advanced Underwriting, the Million Dollar Roundtable, the Institute for Certified Financial Planning, the University of Akron, and as a Board Member of Arise Rwanda Ministries. Larry earned a BS in Finance from the University of Akron and his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. Larry, his wife Wendy, and their four children live in the Akron, Ohio area. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Bill Mahomes grew up in a small Texas town during the Civil Rights era and was not prepared for the racial and academic adversity he would face becoming one of the first black cadets in the Texas A&M Corps. Despite the struggles he faced, Bill was not only the first black student to graduate from the Corps, he also went on to earn a Juris Doctorate, serve as a Captain in the Army Reserves as a member of the JAG Corps, and start his own law firm. Bill has served as counsel to the Federal National Mortgage Association and was appointed to serve on the Texas A&M Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott. Listen as Bill shares how he pushed through the challenges of life in the corps, racial tensions, stuttering, and academic hardships by working to truly understand the people around him. Learn why you have to give respect to get respect, and how having empathy for others, and not judging too quickly, will not only help you individually, but help others around you do their best, too. Bill Mahomes has more than 30 years of experience as a public finance, real estate and transactional lawyer. He has been involved in negotiating numerous contracts and public agreements between political bodies and their respective projects, including public hearings, professional selections and financing. Mr. Mahomes was appointed to the Texas A&M Board of Regents by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2015. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Buildings and Physical Plant and as a member of the Committee on Audit. He also serves as a liaison to the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets and System Military Training Programs. Mr. Mahomes was appointed by Texas A&M President Michael K. Young to the newly formed Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, where the Commission will look at data about diversity and inclusion at Texas A&M; examine whether university policies are consistent with its core values and mission; gather opinions from current students, alumni and faculty; and review the campus culture and its impact on minority communities. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

In our second podcast with Larry North, owner of a successful chain of fitness gyms, radio personality, and best-selling author, he shares with us the stories of his childhood that shaped the trajectory of his life from being broke and on-the-run to a becoming an admired and respected business owner. Listen as Larry relates to us how a desire to help others, and a strong work ethic forged by the circumstances of his youth, turned his life around so he could become a successful entrepreneur who proves that visualizing what you want will help you achieve it, that passion makes you memorable, and a “happy to do it” attitude leads to fulfillment and a life rich in relationships with others. Larry North is a household name in fitness, health, and weight loss. Born in NY and raised in Dallas, Texas, he started his first business in 1981 at age 20. His media career started shortly after that with talk radio, where he performed for over 25 years. His best-selling infomercial, the Great North American Slimdown, became one of the most popular weight loss infomercials ever. Larry has also made hundreds of TV appearances and is the author of three best-selling books. Larry openly encourages people to contact him through his social media and email address. Website: https://larrynorthfitness.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-north-3b0000a/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLarryNorth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_north/                     https://www.instagram.com/larrynorthgym/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Larry North started his first gym in the 1980s and built an empire that includes a radio show, television appearances, speaking engagements, and best-selling books. After spending over three decades focused on helping others achieve their fitness goals, Larry has valuable insight on how little changes can add up to big positive results and how tweaking your thinking can be key to your success. Listen to the first of our two podcasts with Larry as he shares how you can boost immunity and avoid self-sabotage, and how aspiring to find joy is as important as working out and eating well. Larry North is a household name in fitness, health, and weight loss. Born in NY and raised in Dallas, Texas, he started his first business in 1981 at age 20. His media career started shortly after that with talk radio, where he performed for over 25 years. His best-selling infomercial, the Great North American Slimdown, became one of the most popular weight loss infomercials ever. Larry has also made hundreds of TV appearances and is the author of three best-selling books. Larry openly encourages people to contact him through his social media and email address. Website: https://larrynorthfitness.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-north-3b0000a/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLarryNorth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_north/                    https://www.instagram.com/larrynorthgym/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com