Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Today’s guest is Verne Harnish. Verne is a world-leading expert, speaker, author, and entrepreneur in the field of business growth. He has spent more than 30 years educating entrepreneurial teams. As part of his personal mission to support entrepreneurs, he co-founded Growth Institute, a premier online training company that has helped mid-market companies in over 50 countries learn and implement the latest business methodologies. Today, he’s sharing with us some of his top tips for entrepreneurs, his personal stories, and the ups and downs that every entrepreneur is familiar with.

David Batstone’s entrepreneurial journey begins at his favorite restaurant in San Francisco. As he recalls, he loved the tandoori chicken, but he didn’t realize that he was eating in the center of a human trafficking ring that had brought over 500 teenagers from India into the United States for the purpose of forced labor. A journalist and venture capitalist, David couldn’t reconcile the fact that human slavery was happening in his own backyard. So, he decided to do something about it. The result is Not for Sale, a book where he breaks down how business can fix the $31 billion human trafficking epidemic.Today, he’s with us to share that journey of how God opened his eyes to the brokenness in the world and gave him a vision for how to fix it.

These are the 3 beliefs that drive Kwami’s passion. (1) poverty is an injustice, (2) we have a responsibility and a joy to solve this man-made problem, and (3) every problem presents an opportunity for business. If that doesn’t get you excited to hear about what Kwami has to share, then we don’t know what will. Listen in to hear how Kwami Williams is discovering entrepreneurial solutions that tackle the challenges faced by the poor and marginalized in our world today, especially on the African continent.

Most people wouldn't compare being an NBA coach to being an entrepreneur. Yet, both are high-stress and lonely roads to travel. They involve building a team, moving to a common mission. Monty Williams, coach of the Phoenix Suns is in the NBA finals and might be on their way to an NBA title. Monty shares his story, the highs and lows of being a professional coach and reveals just how similar coaching is to being an entrepreneur.

If you hear the words Virtual Reality and immediately think of video games, then today’s guest is going to open your eyes to an entire world that is just around the corner.Renji Bijoy is the CEO and Founder of Immersed VR, where they are optimizing focus & productivity through virtual reality collaboration. In addition to being named as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 , Renji has some great insight into what the future of VR looks like and how Faith Driven Entrepreneurs can help shape it.

If you’ve long wondered what your “calling” in life might be, then you’re going to enjoy today’s guest. Eric Stumberg is an entrepreneur with expertise in services, wireless technology, and helping people find their call. At this stage of his Christian and professional journey, Eric is leaning more fully into equipping the saints for and in their Kingdom work in the marketplace— through the church, his company, and faithful relationships. Today, you’ll get to hear him talk all about that as well as why he believes that business is theology.

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of six books. For over 20 years he’s helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. Most recently he’s spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, companies and churches. Featured regularly on national media, Jon has been seen on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA and several other key outlets. Today, he’s going to join us to talk about his newest book, Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. We think it’s something every entrepreneur should read, but we’ll let you listen to Jon to find out why...

For those of you who are new, we know that it’s tempting to think that this show is onto something novel, that we’re breaking new ground in the faith and work conversation. But if we’re being honest with ourselves, and with you, we’re really not. We’re standing on the shoulders of giants who have come before us. Today, we’re going to hear the origin story of a Faith Driven Entrepreneur from the mid 1700s. Stephen Mansfield, author of The Search for God and Guinness, is taking us to a time when the water in Ireland, and really all of Europe was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place devastated civil society. It was a disease ridden, starvation-plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness—as well as monks and even evangelical churches—brewed beer that provided a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. Let’s listen in to hear about the Christian faith that spurred the beginnings of what is now a global brand producing one of the most consu

If you’ve been following this podcast for a while, you likely know that last year we had our first ever Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor conferences that included guests like Andy Crouch, Jewel Burks Solomon, Chip Ingram, Lecrae, Phil Vischer, Jessica Kim, and many more. Thousands of you attended, making it one of the most encouraging days since the start of the FDE and FDI movements. Well, if you missed last year’s event, don’t worry. Because we’re doing it again. Today’s episode is all about what you can look forward to at this year’s event, and the unique twist that’s going to make 2021 even better…

25 years of helping people. 117 companies consulted. 20 million books sold. 150 million people served. It’s hard to overstate the impact Dr. Henry Cloud has had on leaders all around the world. He has an extensive executive coaching background and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time working with CEOs, leadership teams, and executives to improve performance, leadership skills, and culture. We talked to him about all of this and why being a great leader is less about what you can do and more about who you’re with.

For entrepreneurs, the day you sell your business is the goal you’ve been working toward for years. But what if this experience doesn’t live up to the hype?Jewel Burks Solomon, Founder of PartPic and Head of Startups at Google, talks about the day after her business was acquired by Amazon, what the process was like, and how reaching this perceived finish line isn't always what an entrepreneur might think.

We can confidently say that this is the first podcast where a Mennonite chicken farmer capable of writing million dollar checks has played a key supporting role. Sure, you know of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels—you’ve seen them in malls and probably tasted their incredible treats. But the story behind the business is one you’ll just have to hear to believe. So many entrepreneurs build out of a place of grief or loss and Anne Beiler is just one example of someone who took the trials in her life and turned them into something wonderful. After the untimely death of a child and the uncovering of a long-term affair, God took Anne through a healing process that started with the building of a new business.Since then, she’s created a product that is served in 1,800 worldwide locations, all with one simple goal—being Pretzel Perfect.

You no doubt have heard the saying that the primary purpose of business is to increase the value for its shareholders. Well, today’s guest might not agree with that. Instead, Bill Job would tell you that that idea is a little shortsighted. Instead, he believes that the purpose of business is to create eternal value. But what does that mean, and how does that work in practice? And how do you hear from God to know that the work you’re doing is having an eternal impact? We’ll let Bill walk you through the work he’s doing in China and explain for himself...

In the late 90’s, Dunkin’ Donuts found it so hard to break into the Los Angeles donut market that they gave up. Why? Because of The Donut King.Ted Ngoy has opened over 70 donut shops in an effort to give Cambodian refugees a chance to earn a living and make it in America. At one point, his donut empire netted him over $20 million and a presidential award for achieving the American Dream from George H.W. Bush. Then, he lost everything. Listen in as “Uncle Ted” takes us through every up and down of his unbelievable story. 

The story of today’s guest starts in a recording studio. When Dr. Tony Evans was a student at Dallas Theological Seminary, he was asked to preach on a radio show based out of Houston. After giving countless sermons to an audience he could never see, Tony gathered 10 people in his living room, which was the start Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. Fast forward and Oak Cliff Bible has roughly 10,000 members, Tony has written dozens of books, and countless people have encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ through their work. We couldn’t have been more excited to sit down with Dr. Tony Evans, and we think you’ll be blessed by what he shared today...

Everyone has a few regrets. Some regrets are inconsequential, others life-altering. Most could have been avoided. Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Ministries, a popular communicator, pastor, podcaster, and television host, has his share of regrets, but he’s found a way to keep the list short. His secret lies in five simple questions, which is what you’ll hear him talk about today. Useful Links:Better Decisions, Fewer RegretsWhen Work and Family Collide

We’re so excited to introduce you to today’s guest. Joan Maxwell founded Regulator Marine with her husband, Owen, in 1988. Owen oversees design of their sportfishing boats; everything and everyone else reports to Joan. As the first female chairperson of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Joan shared with us what it feels like to be in uncharted waters. She was the first person in her family to finish college, and she’s often the only woman in the room when it comes to her professional life. But, as you’ll hear Joan share today, these things have only pushed her forward...

Dollywood. Silver Dollar City. The Harlem Globetrotters. You’ve heard of all of those, but you might not know about the business behind them. That’s what today’s episode is about. Chris Herschend is a third-generation shareholder and Chairman of Missouri-based Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed attractions company in the US. Herschend properties span 26 locations and 10 states, employing over 10,000 people who collectively host over 13 million guests annually. Today, Chris is going to talk to us about what it’s like serving his family, their board, and the family business, creative ways he has found to follow God both inside and outside the business, and the unique challenges and opportunities keeping a business “family held forever.”

Frank Kelly serves as CEO of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Kelly & Associates Financial Services (KELLY Payroll/KELLY Work Comp), KELLY Exchange Services, and KELLY Integral Solutions – collectively known as KELLY.As a group insurance administrator, broker, and consultant specializing in health care, KELLY has been recognized as the largest employee benefits administrator in Maryland and one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since Frank was named President in 1994, KELLY has grown from a corporate client base of 1,000 to more than 10,000. Annualized premiums and payroll administered and under management have risen from $20 million to over $4 billion.He runs the business alongside his brothers and on today’s episodes, he shared the unique challenges of running a family business, as well as the unique opportunities.

If you’re a part of the Christian conservative community, you’ve probably heard of The Babylon Bee. It is, and we quote, “the world’s best satire site, totally inerrant in all its truth claims.”With headlines like “Man Who Doesn't Read The Bible Also Chief Authority On What Jesus Would Do Today,” it seems like a fun way for Christians to laugh at themselves. But as today’s guest and Babylon Bee CEO, Seth Dillon, explains, being a satirical site doesn’t come without a fair share of controversy. Hear Seth tell the origin story of The Babylon Bee, how we can use satire as a form of apologetics, and all about that one time Donald Trump retweeted one of their articles...