Abstract Essay

Tim Barry Growing Top Performing Sales People One Step at a Time! Starting a business can be scary, but greed and survival prompted me to get out there and start making money at a very young age. Growing up in a lower middle class family can be challenging, but when my family's resources were split in half because my parents got divorced, it was even tougher. But I had dreams of buying a Lamborghini Countach 5000 and traveling the whole world..... So I went to the local grocery store (Butera Finer Foods in Downers Grove, Illinois) and applied for a job in the produce section. The hiring manager asked me, "Can I ask how old you are?" and I replied "I'm 14." She apologized and informed me that she couldn't hire me until I was 16 under workplace laws. So instead of complaining, I figured out a way to start a business cleaning houses in the 'rich' part of town. I printed out a bunch of flyers at the local library that had a dot matrix printer and I rode my bike then hung the offer to clean their gigantic house for $50. It worked and soon I was off to the races. I've achieved incredible success AND failed miserably. The funny part is that all the most important lessons I learned in building businesses came from the miserable failure! I've built and scaled 5 of my own businesses and today, I work closely with small business owners helping them achieve their dreams through sales training, leadership training and executive coaching. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eric Webster Eric Webster ~ Lifestyle Engineer/Hypnotherapist Eric Webster is a Grand Rapids, MI based Lifestyle Engineer/Hypnotherapist. His international certifications allow him to work with clients to help them to achieve greater outcomes in their lives. Some of his areas of specialization are weight loss, past life regression, smoking cessation, academic performance, pain management and many, many more. He is also an Askashic Record Channel. His consultations can shine a light on the why and wherefore of your current life, and perhaps the deep roots of the way you are, that might come from prior lives. Readings and Lifestyle Engineering/Hypnosis work can be done in person or online from wherever you are. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Gore From Blueprints to Business Breakthroughs: Architect, Author, and Entrepreneur Redefining Design Alex Gore is a visionary architect and entrepreneur whose career blends construction experience with innovative design. From sketching pirate ships and homes as a child to serving as a heavy equipment operator in the National Guard, Alex has built a perspective that fuses hands-on grit with architectural creativity. At North Dakota State University (NDSU), he earned a B.S. in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture and Construction Management. Mentored by Daniel Libeskind in New York, Alex honed a design approach balancing creativity and practicality. As co-founder of F9 Productions in Longmont, Colorado, since 2009, he’s helped the firm earn Best of Mile High Awards for Best Architecture Firm in 2023 and 2024, plus a 2025 finalist nod. His portfolio includes the Atlas Tiny House, a 196-square-foot HGTV-featured design that won the 2016 Architizer A+ Award, and Kenwood Drive, a steel-and-glass masterpiece in Boulder. Gore co-hosts Inside the Firm, a top-five global architecture podcast with over a million listens, sharing insights on business and design. Our sister company F14 Productions, takes our designs from paper to reality as our Construction arm. A lecturer at the University of Colorado Boulder for over 11 years, he mentored the next generation, blending construction savvy with visionary thinking. His book, The Creativity Code, offers innovation strategies, while his role as a charter school and community college board member shows his community commitment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julie Clark From Social Work to Sold Signs — Real Talk About Home, Change & Belonging I’m Julie Clark, a Realtor based in the Yukon with a 15-year background in social work. I help people navigate major life transitions, from buying their first home to downsizing after loss, with honesty, empathy, and practical guidance. As a guest, I bring real insight into what it’s like behind the scenes of a home purchase. Not just the paperwork, but the emotions, family decisions, and confusion that come with making a move. I’m especially tuned in to first-time buyers—many don’t know what to do after they get the keys. I offer the kind of support most people don’t think to ask for, like how to find a good contractor, what basic maintenance matters most, and what early warning signs to look for in a home. My husband is a home builder, so I’ve picked up a lot of practical know-how over the years. That, combined with my social work background, helps me show up for clients with both emotional and logistical support. I speak to the moments most people skip—fear, burnout, budgeting, upkeep—and I do it with warmth, clarity, and a bit of dry humor. I’m calm but direct, kind but clear, and always focused on helping people move forward with confidence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abstract Essay, now in its fifth season, features Danielle Perkins as my guest, offering a profound and engaging conversation filled with insight and reflection. Danielle brings a unique blend of wisdom, creativity, and lived experience that invites listeners to think deeply about personal growth, purpose, and the power of resilience. Her perspectives open doors to new ways of understanding our journeys—how we navigate challenges, cultivate meaning, and embrace transformation along the way. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of ideas that inspire, encourage, and resonate long after the conversation ends. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.