Archives: Podcasts

We are delighted to welcome Kelly Knowlen, currently the Vice President of Sales Engagement and Special Events at Hilton, as our guest today. Kelly joins us today to share her career journey and talk about her work in the meetings and events industry. This episode will be of particular interest to event planners who own their businesses and want to increase their engagement, using events as a strategic tool for their organizations. Career Background Kelly has been with Hilton for over three decades, holding various positions that have taken her from sales management to corporate leadership. She now serves as Vice President of Sales Engagement and Special Events, overseeing their internal conferences and incentive programs in addition to about 200 customer events annually. Culture Hilton’s approach to meetings and events is rooted in company culture, creating exceptional guest experiences, empowering teams, and ensuring..

Today, Eric shares a recent coaching experience he had with an entrepreneur who was hesitant to grow her business because she was happy with her current setup and did not feel the need to expand.  Stay tuned as Eric takes a closer look at whether or not that way of working is, in fact, sustainable.  Growth Can Create Freedom Staying small might feel comfortable, but constantly jumping from one project to the next leaves little room for personal time or long-term progress. Growth allows business owners to step back from their daily tasks and invest their time where it truly matters- on clients, strategy, and the parts of the business they enjoy most. Delegation Is Essential Delegating is about sustainability rather than relinquishing control. Many entrepreneurs wait too long before trusting someone else with parts of their business, which often leads to burnout.  Delegation makes space for high-level..

Have you ever felt that a client was not the right fit for you, yet you ignored your gut feeling and worked with them anyway?  In this episode, Eric shares two examples of similar situations he experienced in his professional journey, explaining how he handled them and what he learned along the way. Trust Your Instincts It is essential to recognize when a potential client or project does not align with your values, standards, or business model. Ignoring your instincts when your gut tells you a client is not the right fit will likely lead to lots of frustration down the line.  Know Your Worth Never compromise your pricing just to win business. If a client pressures you to reduce your fees, always stand firm when you know your pricing is fair and reflects the quality of your work.  Let Go When Respect Isn’t Mutual Walk away from clients who fail to respect your work. Even though it may feel risky,..

Life as an entrepreneur can often feel lonely. Being a solopreneur or small business owner in the meetings and events industry is a wonderful experience. However, with all the stress and challenges entrepreneurs face, they often find themselves alone, with no one to share their wins, doubts, and fears with.  In this episode, Eric reads an excerpt from the book he is currently reading and shares some valuable tips to help entrepreneurs avoid loneliness. Digital Nomads Unlike traditional nomads who rely on each other, digital nomads often go it alone. In his book 4000 Weeks, Oliver Burkeman explains that digital nomads, despite the appealing lifestyle, can feel lonely. They travel the world but miss the shared routines that create strong relationships.  Remote Work Without casual, in-person conversations, those who work remotely miss out on spontaneous connections. So entrepreneurs need to be intentional..

Technology is no longer just a helpful tool for running small businesses. It has become the lifeline for small business success.  In this episode, Eric clarifies why technology is now non-negotiable when running a successful small business.  Tune in to learn why, as a small business owner, you must either evolve and adapt or risk getting left behind. AI Blackmail  An article on Entropic described a test scenario where AI named specific (fictional) people and made a blackmail demand. Even though the situation was fabricated for testing purposes, it highlighted the potential dangers of advanced AI behavior. A Double-Edged Sword Every major invention in history has had the potential for great harm and tremendous benefit. The outcome depends entirely on how humans choose to use these tools. AI is no exception. It represents a societal shift similar to the Industrial Revolution, with its presence growing..

Eric knows that taking three weeks off each year is a European concept, yet he believes that it is up to each entrepreneur to decide for themselves when and how they choose to switch off.  In this episode, he explains that it is not just about the time you take off, but rather about being intentional with how you recharge. He also shares the playful out-of-office email message he set up during the three weeks he recently spent in North Carolina. Decide How You Disconnect As an entrepreneur, you get to choose how and when you disconnect. Some people prefer complete time off, while others are okay with handling a few urgent tasks here and there. What matters is being intentional about taking breaks and allowing yourself the time to recharge and connect with your loved ones. No Need to Wait for Holidays Without regular rest, your creativity, focus, and overall effectiveness will gradually decline. However, there is no..

We are thrilled to welcome rockstar business coach Bill Gallagher, the founder of Scaling Coach, as our guest.  Bill has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs organize their lives, refine their leadership skills, and elevate their performance. He joins us today to share his journey, insights, and the story behind his impressive startup success. Tune in to learn the strategies that have helped countless leaders scale with confidence, clarity, and purpose! A Coach and Leader Bill has spent over 13 years coaching companies globally, often through EO and EO Accelerator programs. He excels at planning, delivering value to clients, and creating content, but is not strong in sales or lead generation, so he has always relied on referrals and relationships. His deep involvement in AI keeps him current and curious. Despite not being in the ultra-wealthy crowd, Bill measures his success by the lives he has touched, the..

We are excited to welcome Lil Roberts, the Founder of Xendoo, as our guest today. Lil is an exceptional entrepreneur with a sharp instinct for people and the confidence to speak the truth. She has served as President of the South Florida chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and recently published a book called Small Business Defined: The Ultimate Guide for Small Business Owners. Stay tuned to hear about her inspiring journey and learn how Xendoo makes accounting easier for small business owners. Resilience, Purpose, and Heart By the age of 24, Lil had lost most of her siblings. That instilled in her a deep urgency to live with purpose and make an impact. Her passion for business stems from a commitment to improving lives, starting with her team and creating positive ripple effects that extend beyond her company's walls. Over the years, she has launched and led various businesses, spanning systems integration, product..

Today, Eric tackles the truth about uncertainty.  Many business owners and entrepreneurs find uncertainty unbearable. Eric points out that if you, as a business owner, do not learn the art of navigating uncertain times, you may need to reconsider whether it is genuinely the right industry for you. Uncertainty Feels Tougher Without a Plan A friend of Eric, living in Israel, recently made the striking observation that he finds frequent missile alerts easier to handle than the uncertainty of running a business. That is because he has prepared himself for those situations. So, when an alarm sounds, he knows exactly what to do. However, navigating uncertainty in business is much harder because there is no clear structure or step-by-step plan to follow.  The truth is that uncertainty becomes far more manageable when you have a plan. Nothing Ever Goes According to Plan With decades of experience running meetings..

We are delighted to have Eric Moeller, the founder of Freewyld, joining us today. Known for his clear mind and sharp perspective, Eric has never been afraid to challenge the status quo of big corporations or industry transformations. Join us to hear about Eric’s impressive career journey and the bold steps he is taking to revolutionize the hospitality industry. Career Journey Eric started as a carpenter in New Jersey. After reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, he moved to real estate, where he began flipping houses and investing in small apartment buildings. However, although he was successful, he still felt uninspired. Then, after a chance encounter with a short-term rental investor at a mastermind, he relocated to San Diego, joined the hospitality industry, and began building ventures. Over the last decade, he experimented with various businesses until launching his passion project, Freewyld, where he combines hospitality,..