YPO 10 Minute Tips From the Top

        YPO member Nico Wyrobek was born into the balloon business. Her parents founded Anagram, the mylar balloon company. After graduating from Middlebury, she earned a masters in public policy and her law degree from the University of Minnesota. She worked as an attorney for several years and later earned her MBA at Stanford. The family then invited Nico to take over as CEO of the new family balloon business, Northstar Balloons. Nico used unique designs and non-traditional distribution channels to grow the company to 100 employees with placement in a number of big box chains. Recently, Nico sold the balloon business and transitioned her plant to printing for plastics and packaging. As Principal of Morris Packaging Minnesota, Nico oversees more than 100 employees and has consistently doubled year-over-year growth projections. In this episode, Nico shares how starting her career as an attorney helped her become a successful CEO. Guest: Nico Wyrobek, CEO of Northstar Balloons Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute

        YPO member Bob White dedicated his career to advancing lifesaving medical technology. After graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, Bob began at GE working on jet engines for the U.S. military. He earned his MBA at Cornell and found his passion in the healthcare industry. Bob has led a number of healthcare manufacturing and technology companies through acquisition and IPO. Today, Bob is the President and CEO of Entellus Medical, which develops and manufactures medical equipment for the treatment of chronic and recurrent sinusitis through minimally invasive inflatable balloons. Strypaintker recently acquired Entellus, and Bob is currently guiding the transition process. In this episode, Bob shares how his company is non-surgically making people breathe easier. Guest: Bob White, President and CEO of Entellus Medical  Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute.

        YPO member Jessica Cole is high energy and passionate. So when she graduated from the University of Iowa, it’s no surprise she went in an entrepreneurial direction. She met the founder of a small, new healthcare information company, and he hired her as an intern. Jessica quickly rose through the ranks, leveraging her sales experience and tireless work ethic. Today, Jessica is the President and CEO of Becker’s Healthcare, a leading source of cutting-edge business and news information for healthcare industry leaders. In her time at Becker’s, the company has grown from four employees to 60, expanded into five core areas of healthcare information, and has hosted a number of industry-leading conferences with top name keynotes, including world leaders and entrepreneurs. In this episode, Jessica shares how selling encyclopedias door to door during the tech boom gave her the toughness for being a successful CEO. Guest: Jessica Cole, CEO of Becker’s Healthcare Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute.

YPO member Shelly Sun needed in-home care for her ailing grandmother, but was dissatisfied with the options available. So she left her job as Vice President at a large insurance firm, and founded BrightStar Care, providing high quality in-home care for seniors. Today, BrightStar Care has 335 franchise locations in 38 states and Canada, with over $400 million in system-wide sales. Shelly is the author of the franchise business book Grow Smart, Risk Less, and appeared on the CBS series “Undercover Boss.” She was also named the International Franchise Association Entrepreneur of the Year. Forbes named BrightStar Care the #1 Franchise in Investment Level. BrightStar was also included in the American Express Top 10 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Companies list each year from 2011 to 2015. BrightStar is the only in-home nursing company in the country to be named the Joint Commission Enterprise Champion for Quality. In this episode, Shelly shares how she took her $1 million business to $100 million in five years in system-wide sales and her practical advice franchising your business. Guest: Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-Founder of BrightStar Care Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 95: Shelly Sun (BrightStar Franchising), Chicago, Illinois, USA appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Dan Levin was born and raised north of Chicago, Illinois, USA, in an entrepreneurial family. After graduating from college, Dan lived in Cancun, Mexico, for several years and built a successful property management business. Dan returned home to become CEO of Cain Millwork, a cabinet manufacturer. Today, Cain Millwork is a full service architectural woodworking firm. Since the Levin family purchased the company, Cain has increased revenue 60 times. Under Dan’s leadership, Cain has achieved years of more than 20 percent top -ine growth and now has one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the country. Dan is also a certified sommelier. In this episode, Dan shares how his time in Cancun, Mexico, shaped him as an entrepreneur and leader he is today. Guest: Dan Levin, CEO of Cain Millwork Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 94: Dan Levin (Cain Millwork), Chicago, Illinois, USA appeared first on YPO.

For YPO member Kara Huss, family is everything. So after graduating from the University of Illinois and finding her own success in fashion marketing, Kara willingly agreed to her father’s request that she return to the family manufacturing business. Today, Kara is the Vice President and Global Manufacturing Director of TCCI Manufacturing, a worldwide leader in compressor technologies. It is frequently named highest quality supplier by its customers, including Caterpillar. After failing to find a suitable local marketing firm for TCCI, Kara decided to start her own. Now she is also the Co-Founder and President of DCC Marketing, which has won prestigious industry awards for outstanding strategy, creativity and effectiveness. In this episode, Kara shares the lessons she took from running a successful family business into building a thriving and respectable marketing agency. Guest: Kara Huss, President of DCC Marketing Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 93: Kara Huss (DCC Marketing), Decatur, Illinois, USA appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Scott Penn struggled with his weight from a young age. When his parents launched Weight Watchers in Australia, he attended his first meeting at age 13. After beginning his career at an advertising agency, Scott joined his family at Weight Watchers and helped it grow dramatically. When a private equity firm acquired it, Scott was named CEO of Weight Watchers Australasia and the global vice president of Weight Watchers International. Scott and his team helped take the company public in 2001. Today, Scott is the Founder and CEO of SP Health, with a mission of helping people achieve a healthier life. He also wrote The Click Diet, inspired by his own weight loss journey. Scott is also the Chairman and Co-Owner of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, a professional rugby team in Sydney, which boasts eight league championships in five consecutive decades. In this episode, Scott shares the innovative approach SP Health is taking to combat world obesity and how Scott is doing his part to make a healthier world. Guest: Scott Penn, Chairman and CEO of SP Health Co. Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 92: Scott Penn (SP Health), Sydney, Australia appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Santiago Jaramillo founded his first company out of his college dorm room at Indiana Wesleyan University and somehow still had time to graduate co-valedictorian. Today, Santiago is the Co-founder and CEO of Emplify, which uses a robust feedback platform to better measure employee engagement and satisfaction. Santiago is also the co-author of the Amazon-bestselling book, “Agile Engagement.” He was named to “Inc. Magazine’s” 30-under-30 List and was named a White House “Champion of Change.” In this episode, Santiago shares the mistakes most companies make when surveying employees, and the method to accurately measure employee engagement. Guest: Santiago Jaramillo, CEO and Co-Founder of Emplify Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 91: Santiago Jaramillo (Emplify), Fishers, Indiana, USA appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Jon DeArment has a healthy respect for tradition. He is proud to be in the fifth generation of DeArments to run his family’s hand tool manufacturing company, Channellock. But he also knows that nostalgia alone does not keep a company successful. As is his family’s tradition, Jon began his time at ChannelLock mowing lawns and sweeping floors during his college breaks. As he progressed up the ladder, Jon implemented cutting-edge manufacturing technology, which brought both growth and efficiency to the legacy brand. After this success, Jon was named President and COO in 2014, the same year ChannelLock was awarded the “Pittsburgh Business Times” Excellence Award. After more than 130 years in business, today ChannelLock has over 350 employees, and its 130 products are sold in 45 countries. In this episode, Jon shares how he is spearheading technological advancement in the tool manufacturing industry while preserving the legacy of a multi-generation family business. Guest: Jon DeArment, President and COO of Channellock Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 90: Jon DeArment (Channellock), Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Wesley Palmisano is a third-generation entrepreneur in a construction business based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. After graduating at the top of his class at Louisiana State University in just three years, Wes ventured out on his own, working for a commercial construction company and learning another side of the business. But when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Wes convinced his bosses to allow him to form a new division in the company to meet the housing needs of post-Katrina New Orleans. Eventually, as the previous generation of the family company retired, Wes formed his own company, Palmisano, a commercial and civil construction company. Wes has accumulated numerous awards, including 2017’s “City Business” Fastest Growing Company regional award and its Best Places to Work award. He also was included as a Junior Achievement Rising Star. He earned an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and was named to Gambit’s 40 Under 40 list. In this episode, Wes shares how he preserves a multi-generation family legacy and became one of New Orleans most successful self-made entrepreneurs. Guest: Wesley Palmisano, President and CEO of Palmisano Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 89: Wes Palmisano (Palmisano), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA appeared first on YPO.

      After getting a communication degree at Syracuse and a MBA at Duquesne University, YPO member David Levine started his career in radio production with CBS Radio, but his stomach growled for more. His hunger for healthy living and good food led him to begin experimenting with recipes in his kitchen. Eventually, David took the plunge, quitting his job and dedicating himself to creating delicious, healthy foods for families. Today, David is the Founder and CEO of NuGo Nutrition, which boasts 50 different products sold all over the world. In 2014, David earned the respectable E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In this episode, David shares his secrets in turning innovative ideas into reality. Guest: David Levine, Founder, President and CEO of NuGo Nutrition Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 88: David Levine (NuGo Nutrition), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

After getting a communication degree at Syracuse and a MBA at Duquesne University, YPO member David Levine started his career in radio production with CBS Radio, but his stomach growled for more. His hunger for healthy living and good food led him to begin experimenting with recipes in his kitchen. Eventually, David took the plunge, quitting his job and dedicating himself to creating delicious, healthy foods for families. Today, David is the Founder and CEO of NuGo Nutrition, which boasts 50 different products sold all over the world. In 2014, David earned the respectable E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In this episode, David shares his secrets in turning innovative ideas into reality. Guest: David Levine, Founder, President and CEO of NuGo Nutrition Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 88: David Levine (NuGo Nutrition), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

      YPO member Sneha Shah comes from an Indian family living in Kenya. After graduating from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, she worked as a foreign exchange and commodities trader in Africa. She then took a job in New York City, New York, USA, with Thompson Reuters, where she’s held a number of leadership positions. Now, she is the Managing Director of the company’s Africa division, based in South Africa. Sneha is very active in non-profit work and is a member of the African Leadership Network and World Economic Forum. She has also sat on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Council. In this episode, Sneha shares her journey of uprooting her family from New York and moving to South Africa as well as the lessons she learned from managing a team of South African millennials. Guest: Sneha Shah, Managing Director of Thompson Reuters, Africa Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 87: Sneha Shah (Thomson Reuters), Johannesburg, South Africa appeared first on YPO.

YPO member Sneha Shah comes from an Indian family living in Kenya. After graduating from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, she worked as a foreign exchange and commodities trader in Africa. She then took a job in New York City, New York, USA, with Thompson Reuters, where she’s held a number of leadership positions. Now, she is the Managing Director of the company’s Africa division, based in South Africa. Sneha is very active in non-profit work and is a member of the African Leadership Network and World Economic Forum. She has also sat on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Council. In this episode, Sneha shares her journey of uprooting her family from New York and moving to South Africa as well as the lessons she learned from managing a team of South African millennials. Guest: Sneha Shah, Managing Director of Thompson Reuters, Africa Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 87: Sneha Shah (Thomson Reuters), Johannesburg, South Africa appeared first on YPO.

      After meeting his wife at John Carroll University, YPO member Patrick Cozzins declined an offer from his father-in-law to work at the family’s trucking company. Instead, he began a career in the high tech industry. This led to a successful journey through a number of technology startups, but also led his family to five different cities in four years, on top of his own temporary residency in Baghdad, Iraq. After finishing his MBA at Carnegie Mellon and wanting to settle down with his family, Patrick finally accepted his father-in-law’s offer, and began growing Modern Transportation, a trucking, transportationa nd logistics company. In this episode, Patrick shares his predictions on when the trucking industry will begin employing self-driving trucking technologies and the impact that will have on the trucking industry. Guest: Patrick Cozzens, Founding Member, President of Modern Transportation Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 86: Patrick Cozzens (Modern Transportation), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

After meeting his wife at John Carroll University, YPO member Patrick Cozzins declined an offer from his father-in-law to work at the family’s trucking company. Instead, he began a career in the high tech industry. This led to a successful journey through a number of technology startups, but also led his family to five different cities in four years, on top of his own temporary residency in Baghdad, Iraq. After finishing his MBA at Carnegie Mellon and wanting to settle down with his family, Patrick finally accepted his father-in-law’s offer, and began growing Modern Transportation, a trucking, transportation and logistics company. In this episode, Patrick shares his predictions on when the trucking industry will begin employing self-driving trucking technologies and the impact that will have on the trucking industry. Guest: Patrick Cozzens, Founding Member, President of Modern Transportation Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 86: Patrick Cozzens (Modern Transportation), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

      As an Indian growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era, and living through the post-apartheid transition in the 1990s, YPO member Wayne Naidoo never felt like he fit in. After finishing school, Wayne had found marketing, and he was hooked. Wayne started in the industry as a marketing assistant and spent 15 years with Lowe and Partners agency, eventually becoming CEO. He then became the Chief Marketing Officer of AFB financial services. But Wayne, still struggling to fit, wanted to do things differently. So in 2015, he decided to form his own marketing agency, DUKE., named after John Wayne. Today DUKE. is one of the fastest-growing agencies in South Africa. In this episode, Wayne shares how he learned to embrace his differences and thrive in South Africa. Guest: Wayne Naidoo, Founder and CEO of DUKE. Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 85: Wayne Naidoo (DUKE.), Cape Town, South Africa appeared first on YPO.

As an Indian growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era, and living through the post-apartheid transition in the 1990s, YPO member Wayne Naidoo never felt like he fit in. After finishing school, Wayne had found marketing, and he was hooked. Wayne started in the industry as a marketing assistant and spent 15 years with Lowe and Partners agency, eventually becoming CEO. He then became the Chief Marketing Officer of AFB financial services. But Wayne, still struggling to fit, wanted to do things differently. So in 2015, he decided to form his own marketing agency, DUKE., named after John Wayne. Today DUKE. is one of the fastest-growing agencies in South Africa. In this episode, Wayne shares how he learned to embrace his differences and thrive in South Africa. Guest: Wayne Naidoo, Founder and CEO of DUKE. Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 85: Wayne Naidoo (DUKE.), Cape Town, South Africa appeared first on YPO.

      YPO member J.D. Ewing started his career working in the retail office supply company founded by his grandmother. Eventually, J.D. rose to the top and sold the successful company. But, when the purchasers ran it into the ground, he bought it back and grew the company all over again. Today, COE Distributing is the largest furniture-only wholesale office furniture distributor in the United States. J.D. is also the majority owner of JD&D Enterprises, which owns office and warehouse flex space. J.D. was named to the Smart 50 List of the “Pittsburgh Smart Business Magazine.” COE Distributing is an Inc. 5000 company, and has been named a Top 100 Fastest Growing Business by the Pittsburgh Business Times. In this episode, J.D. shares what he did to re-build the family business and preserve the family legacy. Guest: J.D. Ewing, Founding Member, President and CEO of COE Distributing Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 84: J.D. Ewing (COE Distributing), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.

YPO member J.D. Ewing started his career working in the retail office supply company founded by his grandmother. Eventually, J.D. rose to the top and sold the successful company. But, when the purchasers ran it into the ground, he bought it back and grew the company all over again. Today, COE Distributing is the largest furniture-only wholesale office furniture distributor in the United States. J.D. is also the majority owner of JD&D Enterprises, which owns office and warehouse flex space. J.D. was named to the Smart 50 List of the “Pittsburgh Smart Business Magazine.” COE Distributing is an Inc. 5000 company, and has been named a Top 100 Fastest Growing Business by the Pittsburgh Business Times. In this episode, J.D. shares what he did to rebuild the family business and preserve the family legacy. Guest: J.D. Ewing, Founding Member, President and CEO of COE Distributing Host & Executive Producer: Kevin Daum Executive Producer: Van Van Music: DreamArtist Music. Made possible with grants from Gazelles Growth Institute. The post Episode 84: J.D. Ewing (COE Distributing), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA appeared first on YPO.