August 11, 2020 ~ 32 mins

Nicole Middendorf, Wealth Advisor and CEO Prosperwell Financial, is a financial expert, perpetual learner, and natural born mentor. Most recently, Nicole was the recipient of the 2020 NAWBO-MN Annual Achieve! Awards, Woman Business Owner of the Year, a coveted accolade distinguished as the organization’s highest honor.

In 2003, Nicole ended her tenure at Morgan Stanley to focus on launching her own wealth management firm. Five books, several passport stamps, and hundreds of speaking engagements later, Nicole has positioned herself as a serial entrepreneur with a positive mindset and approach to business. 

As a Wealth Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Prosperwell Financial, Nicole’s main focus is to assist clients in generating wealth from the inside out through one-on-one client meetings, gems from her books, and remaining relevant and present in the financial/business industry. 

Nicole’s primary goal is to take complicated subjects and make them easy to understand and introduce financial happiness and freedom to her clients and those who read her books and business content. Known for her thoughtful and concise quotes, Nicole’s overall aspiration is to “change the world”, and that includes  becoming financially savvy and independent.

During their time together, Laura and Nicole discuss:

7:01 ~ Nicole’s Live It List™ 

11:48 ~ How do you stay motivated?

16:00 ~ The structure of positive thinking

22:12 ~ Financial literacy recommendations

Book recommendations: 

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
• Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

Learn more about Prosperwell Financial  

Connect with Nicole 

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions

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July 28, 2020 ~ 30 mins

Do Good Events is a woman-owned, award-winning Event Planning company headquartered in Minneapolis, founded in 2012 by Kalsey Beach. Do Good Events was inspired by a love for events, being remarkable, and effectively bridging the gap in the market — the gap between providing good services, products, or experiences and also being and doing good for the community and marginalized people. This year, Do Good Events executed more than 150 events, (with a team of 5 full-time staff, 5 part-time staff and 50 part-time event specialists) assisted non-profit partners in raising almost $9 million at their fundraising events and launched an event staffing division.

Kalsey is a creative marketer, strong communicator, avid and innovative leader, and so much more! When not busy in the event scene, Kalsey enjoys spending time traveling, being active by running or Nordic skiing, exploring new Twin Cities restaurants and trying to keep up with her two-year-old! Kalsey serves on the Seven Dreams Foundation board and lives in Plymouth. Kalsey’s drive to be a better person is exuded in the impactful events and experiences of her personal and professional life, self-motivated energy and dedicated work ethic.

During their time together, Laura and Kalsey discuss:

2:15 ~ Business pivots as an events company
8:13 ~ The current climate of virtual events
16:55 ~ Communication style with team members, specifically during a pandemic
20:20 ~ The future of Do Good Events

Kalsey’s book recommendations: Untamed by Glennon Doyle and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King 

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions

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Episode 14: CorTalent Recruiting Services Director Todd Johnson 

June 13, 2020 ~ 31 mins

As a Recruitment & Retention Consulting firm, we help successful growing companies to leverage talent as their most important asset. Our Recruiting Services Director, Todd Johnson, leads our team of talent advisors and is constantly evaluating trends and processes in the Talent industry. Todd spent 7 years in Payroll & Compensation, but became eager to learn more about the “people side” of the business. In 2014, he sought out Mary Nutting for more information on the recruiting industry which led to him joining CorTalent as a Sr. Talent partner. Since then, Todd has built a strong network and team of executive recruiters as the Director of Recruitment Services. Another key element to his role is managing client engagements for our retained searches.

At CorTalent, we live by our CorValues: Think Fresh & Fun, Be Remarkable, Strive for Excellence, Have Passion, and Be Tenacious & Competitive — which Todd identifies most with when it comes to his management style. For Todd, competition comes in the form of motivation, encouragement, preparation, and consistency. Under the EOS model, Todd meets with the recruitment team each week to assess goals, achievements, financials, and best business practices. 

 During their time together, Laura and Todd discuss:

• 5:35 ~ Should people be hiring right now?
• 7:34 ~ The current climate of the talent pool 
• 9:44 ~ CorTalent’s impact from and response to the pandemic
• 24:00 ~ Todd’s favorite part of the recruiting process

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King 

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions

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June 29, 2020 ~ 33 mins

Kelly Knight has served as EOS Worldwide’s Integrator since 2016, having spent the prior 20 years within the financial services industry managing and leading dynamic organizations.  Her passion is uniting teams to achieve the extraordinary– better together, one day at a time.

Kelly’s path to EOSW was not traditional like most strong Integrators we meet. Integrators are the glue of the organization, they typically hold everything together (people and process), they are the one that executes the business plan and holds the Leadership Team accountable. In essence, they are the steady force in the organization. Kelly is a light and a leader.

If you’re not familiar, EOS Worldwide is a global organization of successful entrepreneurs from a variety of business backgrounds implementing a proven system and set of tools called EOS®, the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, to strengthen and develop leadership teams of small to medium size companies.

The goal of EOS Worldwide is to help entrepreneurs get what they want from their businesses. Businesses best suited for implementation of EOS® are growth-oriented entrepreneurial organizations with 10 to 250 people. Tens of thousands of companies around the world use EOS to clarify, simplify, and achieve their visions.

Tune in to find out:

• How EOS pivoted their annual conference due to the pandemic 9:55
• The foundation of EOS and importance of core values 13:28
• People of impact, and Kelly’s notable mentors 19:48
• What’s to come from EOS in the near future 28:55

Learn more about EOS Worldwide

Connect with Kelly

Kelly’s book recommendation: Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website:

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions 

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June 16, 2020 ~ 34 mins

Luke Carlson, founder and CEO of Discover Strength, shares how his passion for kinesiology and fitness birthed his company. Discover Strength is a boutique training studio based in Minneapolis, and has expanded to 5 — going on 6 — physical locations since opening in 2006. With plans to grow into a franchise by 2025, building 100 studios in the United States, Discover Strength’s commitment to bridging the gap between science and the reality of human behavior gives them their competitive edge. Their personal training studios are among the highest volume and revenue training facilities in North America. Luke travels the world giving insight on leadership, management, and evidence-based exercise through public speaking.

During their time Laura and Luke discuss:

• The science of how we should be exercising 9:03
• Pivoting to virtual training 12:27
• The misguided nature of our current fitness culture 17:15
• How implementing EOS equips businesses for the unknown 19:34

Learn more: https://www.discoverstrength.com/

Connect with: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-carlson-9769816/

Luke’s book recommendation, Setting the Table

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions

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June 8, 2020 (previously recorded May 13, 2020)  ~ 33 mins

Tracy Call founded Media Bridge Advertising in 2010 after spending years in Marketing and Sales in order to reinvent the industry in a way that is more efficient, effective, and ethical. As CEO, Tracy has fostered a culture of transparency, trust, strong relationship building, responsiveness and long-term value within her company. Media Bridge operates on the mission of advocacy, and aims to provide inclusive and more favorable deals for both advertisers and media, while maintaining the integrity of the consumer. 

Media Bridge has been recognized by Inc. 5000 as America’s Fastest Growing Companies, MSBJ Fast 50, Business of Pride, and Women In Business 2016 amongst other accolades. They operate on the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, and are Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certified. 

Learn more about Media Bridge.

Connect with Tracy.

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King.

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions.

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15 years ago, a six months pregnant Heide Olson started All In One Accounting in her basement, and today the company works with over 200 small businesses and nonprofits to transform their financial chaos and bring business clarity. Her company provides specialty knowledge, tiered financial expertise, customized documented solutions and more. Their accounting leadership and proven process are a part of what elevates their business amongst others. In addition to Nonprofits, they work with business owners in Technology, Real Estate, Retail, Manufacturing, and Construction. Heide chats about the state of business and how the company is showing up the best they can for clients and fellow employees today through extremely uncertain times. 

To learn more about All In One Accounting: https://allinoneaccounting.com/services/

Connect with Heide: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heide-olson-cpa-inactive-575b6b5/ 

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King.

Audio Production, Editing and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions.

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Lisa Hannum is a trusted business leader, CEO, and founder of Beehive Strategic Communication, a Certified B Corporation that values well-being and workplace equality. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, legal accountability and public transparency to balance profit and purpose. Beehive Strategic Communication takes a rigorous approach in business operations to ensure balance for people, planet, and products. 

Utilizing the EOS Traction System, Lisa’s commitment to cultivate a creative, strong, and positive workplace environment is executed with focus, discipline, and accountability. Lisa is determined to create a workplace culture that inspires creative strategies and diversity as a means to build “better businesses” and results. Beehive partners with clients who want to grow their businesses with purpose, ranging from established companies looking to transform their communication strategies to start-ups that need awareness and validation. 

Learn more about Beehive: https://beehivepr.biz/about/

Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hannum/

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King.

Audio Production, Editing and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions.

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As President and CEO of Further, Matthew Marek, is accountable for leading all aspects including sales, operations and technology. Further is the highest ranked, and one of the nation’s fastest growing HSA administrators. Matthew climbed up the ranks to Vice President of Product & Marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield MN where he spent a decade before joining Further in 2016. His experience at BCBS exposed him to managing product, marketing, innovation, digital and consumer experience. Matthew has held various executive leadership roles in product, marketing, sales, government programs and commercial markets within the consumer health care industry and also has experience in broker and consultant relations, sales operations and sales technology. His philosophy on leadership centers around his willingness to learn and network with atypical thinkers who seek change and expansion. 

Matthew is vice chair of the board of directors at Comprehensive Care Services, Inc (CCStpa). He also sits on the boards of Consortium Health Plans and Greater Twin Cities YMCA and is a 2011 recipient of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Award. Beyond his accomplishments to date, Matt aspires to create a place where people want to work and to be a leader that people want to work with.

Learn more about Further

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.

Learn more about how CorTalent accelerates growth through people by visiting our website.

Have a question about our services? Email Laura King.

Audio Production, Editing and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions.

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Recorded in Dec 2019: 35 minutes

Heather Manley is a serial entrepreneur, whose resume looks like a never ending list of leadership opportunities and accomplishments. She currently is the CEO of Crooked Water Spirits (CWP), founded in 2013, as well as On-Demand Group (ODG), which she and her brother bought in 2008. CWP is an award winning national spirits line that is 100% women owned and self funded, producing unique craft spirits including bourbons, gins, vodkas, brandy and a ready-to-pour Old Fashioned. ODG is a global family-owned IT consulting firm that has been in business since 1996 and is headquartered in Minnesota. Tune in to hear how Heather manages the highs and lows of ownership and how she has the capacity to grow multiple businesses while remaining active in her community.

For more information, visit her Companies websites:

Dirty Goodness boutique: www.dirtygoodness.com

On-Demand Group:  www.ondemandgroup.com

Crooked Water Spirits: www.crookedwaterspirits.com

Learn more about CorTalent. Have a question about our services? Email Laura King

Audio Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Botanicus Productions (https://botanicusproductions.com)

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