If you look up “Motivation” in the dictionary there is a picture Nick Santonastasso beside it. Born the 12th person in the world with a rare condition, Nick has lived his life with no legs and only one arm with one finger. He was given a 30% chance to live and rather than falter and dwell on the negative, Nick chose only to see the positive. Nick has become a CEO and renowned motivational speaker who inspires others to adapt and overcome any obstacles they may meet in the personal life or in business. With such an optimistic and success driven mindset leading the way there isn’t anything Nick Santonastasso can’t do.
Secret Academy Episode – Greg Reid
Greg Reid is the true definition of a success-motivated action taker. Throughout the years, Greg has taken on many roles. One being a best selling author with books such as “Stickability”, “Three Feet From Gold”, and “Everything Is Subject To Change” that have inspired thousands of readers and shown them that the most valuable lessons we learn are also the easiest to apply. His most recent project however, has thrown him in the glamour world of Hollywood. Greg has taken on the film industry and has flourished thanks to all his past successes and failures have taught him. Perhaps his best known role is being the CEO of Secret Knock – an exclusive, invite-only professional networking community with members who are some of the top artists, athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs in the country. Forbes magazine called it the “Can’t Miss Conference for Entrepreneurs”. With all of this experience under his belt, the advice Greg provides is nothing short of crucial to anyone who is looking to succeed.
Secret Academy Episode – Richard Lorenzen
Richard Lorenzen is the Founder and CEO of Fifth Avenue Brands, a Public Relations company in NYC that handles media coverage and speaking events for the world’s biggest entrepreneurs and influencers. Some of his clients include other Secret Academy teachers like Grant Cardone and Timothy Sykes. While Richard is an experienced entrepreneur, his early beginnings started back when he launched his first company at the age of 15 in NYC. Richard is also the author of his latest book, Surge, which teaches aspiring entrepreneurs his life experience and what allowed him to build a multi-million dollar Public Relations company.
Secret Academy Episode – Andrew Paradise
Andrew Paradise is the CEO and founder of Skillz. Skillz is the world-wide leader in mobile eSports and connects the world’s 2.6 billion mobile gamers through competition. Skillz is ranked number one on the 2017 Inc. 5000 list and the first eSports company on CNBC’s Disruptor 50. In 2016 alone, Skillz received a revenue of $54.2M after only launching in 2012. Prior to Skillz, Andrew founded AisleBuyer, which was sold to Intuit in April 2012 as well as Photrade, which was sold in 2009 to MPA Inc. He has also worked in venture capital and private equity investing for Fort Washington Capital Partners and The Watermill Group.
Secret Academy Episode – Hap Klopp
Hap Klopp founded one of the world’s largest clothing brands – The North Face. He took his love of the outdoors and turned it into a globally recognized business. Hap realized he didn’t want any part of working for a large corporation after his interview with Proctor & Gamble, so he launched himself into entrepreneurship. Hap knew what would set his business apart from others – quality. Raising the bar on product quality and establishing a “lifetime warranty” set The North Face apart from the industry and showed consumers that they stood behind everything they claimed to be. By the time Hap stepped down, The North Face was a globally recognized clothing brand that was a $200 million dollar company with more than 1500 employees.
Secret Academy Episode – Chris Voss
Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator who, today, is the founder and CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd. Chris’s company helps others solve business communication problems using hostage negotiation solutions. Chris spent 24 years in the FBI fine-tuning his techniques and teaches others how to utilize these strategies in business and everyday life. Chris has saved thousands of lives and retired as the Bureau’s lead international kidnapping negotiator. Chris co-authored the best-selling book, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It”. Among his many accomplishments and titles, Chris is also a professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Does Your Business Need a DBA?
What is a “DBA” and why would your business need to file for one? DBA is the acronym for “Doing Business As.” Other names for a DBA include “fictitious name,” “trade name,” and “assumed business name.” You must file for a DBA when you want to conduct business using a name other than the one you registered your business under.