Travel Wins

“Navigating New Horizons: Reshaping Corporate Branding and Business Travel with Matt Kovacs of BlazePR”In a captivating episode that delves into the heart of modern corporate branding and the dynamic world of public relations, we had the honor of speaking with none other than Matt Kovacs, the visionary President of BlazePR. A powerhouse public relations company nestled in the vibrant hub of Santa Monica, California, BlazePR has emerged as a trailblazer in redefining corporate brand narratives.Our conversation with Matt Kovacs offered an illuminating glimpse into the intricacies of corporate branding public relations. As we journeyed through the waves of change that ripple through the industry, we explored how the landscape of business travel has undergone a remarkable transformation. No longer confined to conventional in-person pitches and traditional trade shows, the PR industry has pivoted gracefully to embrace the virtual realm, primarily through the avenue of Zoom calls. Matt Kovacs shared invaluable insi

Can a millennial make a positive difference in the world?Greg Chumakov, Chief Operating Officer, is an impact entrepreneur dedicated to building software to provide large-scale change and a more equitable and holistic approach to education. He is currently the COO of Treedom, a service-learning platform for students designed to empower today’s youth. Greg was born and raised in Singapore where he lived as a US expatriate until enrolling at the George Washington University for Economics and Business.His story is inspiring and he gives all millennials a good name by helping children get the tools they need to balance the playing field in schoolwork. SUBSCRIBEYou can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Podnews, Castbox, Overcast, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Spotify.Intro song “Road Trip” by Robin Tricker#gregchumakov #chumakov #treedom #millennial #millenials #school #schools #software #coo #apps #education

How do you start your own fashion show?Berny Martin is my guest today and he is a fashion designer, style consultant, custom tailor and founder of the Midwest Fashion Show. We had a great chat about his decision to start a fashion design company in the Midwest instead of New York or Los Angeles. While admitting that Carmel, Indiana isn’t the hub of fashion forward trends, Berny has made it a point to express his visions and to make them available to everyone. SUBSCRIBEYou can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Podnews, Castbox, Overcast, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Spotify.Intro song “Road Trip” by Robin Tricker#fashion #fashiondesigner #fashionweek #designer #indiana #bernymartin #catuo #catuowear #midwest #midwestfashion #businesstravel #jobsthatinvolvetravel #careersthatinvolvetravel #businesstravelcareer #businesstraveljobs #thetravelwins

Imagine your corporate conference without him?Greg Schwem, business humorist, is my guest today and he has a great career making others laugh for a living. Greg started as a comic and quickly realized he has a gift for corporate humor. While sharing the stage with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno, Leann Rimes, Kenny Loggins, Pat Benatar and others is a great feather for his cap he has equally enjoyed making corporate employees laugh when he shares jokes he crafts specifically for their company. Greg has an equally impressive list of companies he has entertained over the years like McDonald’s, Microsoft, General Motors, IBM, Hyatt Hotels, United Airlines and Cisco Systems.Having traveled to locations like Poland, Peru, Vienna and Hawaii for comedy, much of our talk was based around the idea of how do you work as a corporate humorist while gatherings at companies are no longer allowed. Like many past guests, Greg is learning new ways to accomplish his goals. SUBSCRIBEYou can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podca

Traci Callahan, a remarkable individual, graces our presence today, as she embarks on an awe-inspiring journey back to the pinnacle of beach volleyball. Throughout our captivating interview, Traci's story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, delving deep into her riveting career as a professional beach volleyball player. Her candidness and courage shine through as she fearlessly recounts the tumultuous hurdles she faced, such as her agonizing battle with bulimia during her college years, which compelled her to switch schools despite a promising freshman year.Traci's venture into the realm of professional beach volleyball was no less arduous. Although she achieved some measure of success, it fell short of her ambitious aspirations. Yet, what sets her apart is her extraordinary willingness to lay bare her innermost struggles, encompassing weight loss, the harrowing experience of sexual assault, and the relentless self-doubt that plagued her. Few professional athletes possess the fortitude to openly address

Is now the right to time to start a financial technology company?Nicholas Hinrichsen, co-founder of WithClutch and Carlypso, is my guest today and he thinks now is the right time, even with the lockdowns.After being raised in Germany and playing on the German national golf team, Nicholas decided to attend Stanford Business School in 2011 and started Carlypso, an online used car company, after graduating in 2013. Nicholas then raised a total of $10 million dollars, went through the startup accelerator YCombinator and sold his business to Carvana in 2017.After leaving Carvana, Nicholas and his co-founder Chris Coleman joined forces again to build a digital platform to refinance auto loans, called WithClutch.com. Nic and I had a great talk about the future of financial tech companies and how specifically his new venture can help college students or anyone who had bad credit, is now improving their credit score and help them refinance their auto loans.SUBSCRIBEYou can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple

How important is corporate travel for a recent college graduate?Grant Chang is my guest this week. His work for Acellent requires him to travel several times a month to visit various accounts. He decided to work for Acellent after spending some time as a Cloud Engineer at Apple. We talk about his work at Acellent as well as what his expectations are from corporate travel.“Because of me traveling at a really young age, travel really became part of my identity and really a hobby of mine.” ~Grant Chang on important business travel is when considering a careerSUBSCRIBEYou can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Podnews, Castbox, Overcast, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Spotify.#engineer #santaclara #acellent #technology #grantchang #siliconvalley #businesstravel #jobsthatinvolvetravel #careersthatinvolvetravel #businesstravelcareer #businesstraveljobs #thetravelwins

Can you use a podcast to build your business?Hernan Sias is my guest today. He is one half of the podcasting team Business Bros and a real estate expert in San Diego. He is using the platform of podcasting to build his personal network while learning from his varied guests. He had to convince his brother to originally be a part of the show but now they are 100% into growing their podcast listener base. “It’s about finding that additional revenue source, because if you’re only dependent on one income stream and that income stream disappears you’re in some deep doo doo.” ~Hernan Sias on why he built his podcast showWhile Hernan traveled for his real estate business, the main reason I wanted to chat with him on my show was to hear the how’s and why’s he started his podcast show with his brother and to hear what he thinks of the future of the platform. It’s always great spending time with someone that is positive about their future even while going thru the downsides of the Covid19 lockdown.SUBSCRIBEYou can subs

Vanessa Demopoulos is a formidable and multi-talented individual, known for her exceptional skills in various disciplines. As a professional mixed martial arts fighter and jiu-jitsu practitioner, she has proven her mettle in the competitive arena. Beyond her martial arts prowess, Vanessa is also an accomplished author and an exotic dancer, showcasing her versatility and creativity.The anticipation is building as Vanessa prepares for her first professional title fight, scheduled for July 17. Eager to display her skills on a grand stage, she is thrilled about the opportunity to compete at LFA 85, which will take place in the vibrant city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This momentous event marks a significant milestone in Vanessa's career, and she is fully committed to delivering an awe-inspiring performance.During our conversation, Vanessa shed light on the transformative impact of transitioning from Ohio to the esteemed Blackhouse Gym in California. This move has allowed her to benefit from world-class training

How do you know if you’re ready to be an entrepreneur?My guest today, Travis Luther, is the president of a media firm, author, speaker and entrepreneur. I’ve met many entrepreneurs in my lifetime but Travis was actually a professor of entrepreneurship for MSU Denver. His company, Law Father, provides case development tools to law firms. Travis also has the experience of playing and touring for his pop-punk band when he was younger.“There was just something inside me that realized that probably my path out of poverty was going to be entrepreneurship and being my own business owner.” ~Travis LutherTravis is practicing what he preaches about having multiple business and streams of income. It was great speaking with him and inspiring to hear someone else expanding their existing resources. We are all given the same 24 hours a day. It really shows how some people maximize their days and time. Make sure to check out Travis on his social media accounts and website.You can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on App

"Unlocking Entertainment Remotely: How the Grammy Museum Thrives During Lockdown"In this captivating episode of The Travel Wins podcast, we delve into the world of entertainment during lockdown as our host interviews Michael Sticka, the President of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Michael takes us on a journey through his involvement with the museum and shares his unique travel experiences related to his role.Before the lockdown, Michael's job was a whirlwind of travels to major music centers like Austin, Nashville, and the bustling streets of New York, where donors and partners eagerly awaited the museum's new initiatives. As he eloquently puts it, "I head to major music centers like Austin and Nashville, where a lot of our donors and partners are. I would say most of my travels actually take me to New York… after things open up, we’re hoping to be able to announce some new programming in that region.”But, as the world grappled with lockdowns and restrictions, the Grammy Museum had to pivot to maintain its

Turning a hobby in to a career?Is it possible to turn a hobby you are passionate about into a paying career is a question I am often asked by friends and listeners.My guest today, Adam Jackson, is on the verge of finding out. Adam’s photography is getting him some recognition he didn’t think possible when he first started his hobby as he traveled the states for his “day job” as a business development manager for environmental systems with a past in engineering. The creative side of his brain is taking some phenomenal landscape and celestial photos. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology you wouldn’t think he would be able to pivot careers into photography but he is learning social media uses for photography and how he can provide value to people that would like to learn and/or appreciate his photography skills.“Thinking, man, I’ve wasted these opportunities across the nation of all the top spots. I have the luxury of traveling and not everyone gets to do that”. ~ Adam Jackson on

Mike Robbins is a public speaker, author, an expert in teamwork and leadership and my guest on today’s podcast. Mike was a suggested guest by my sister who saw him speak a while back in Ojai, California. His career started out as a professional baseball player but then like many athletes he had to pivot his career into a new field after injuries removed him from the game he loved to play. Mike’s background of having to pivot at a young age will prove useful for him and his team as they learn how to be successful operating a public speaking organization during a time when you aren’t allowed to gather or have companies gather for functions.“Somewhere around 25 events either postponed or cancelled and my new book “We’re All In This Together” just came out, so we had a whole book tour and book events that were scheduled and we had to adjust”. ~ Mike Robbins on how COVID19 affected his businessHis fifth and latest book “We’re All In This Together” was titled many months before the lockdown but it is a perfect tit

"Dominating the Field and Navigating Team Travel: Insights from Lacrosse All-Star Amanda Johansen"I'm thrilled to have the incredible Amanda Johansen on the show today. Amanda isn't just a standout professional lacrosse player and college coach; she's a trailblazer who made history as the first woman to score a goal for the University of Southern California's lacrosse program. Hailing from the vibrant lacrosse community of Baltimore, Amanda's journey is one of dedication, success, and the pursuit of excellence.In this episode, we dive into the exhilarating world of women's lacrosse through Amanda's eyes. But it's not just about the game—it's about the challenges, triumphs, and camaraderie that come with being part of a team that travels extensively for competitions. Amanda takes us behind the scenes, revealing the unique dynamics of traveling with a group of athletes, each with their own goals and aspirations."Traveling is tough as a big group. You feel like you're responsible for a lot of people. You want ev

Brett Edwards is my guest today. Brett is an actor and writer based in Los Angeles with his roots from Kentucky. His first book, Sacred Land: A Novel, is now available on Amazon or his website. He’s appeared in several movies and television shows including American Sniper, The Longest Ride, Westworld, Paranormal Incident and Grey’s Anatomy. He has written several screenplays and also produced two award-winning short movies including The Heeler.“I text my wife and I’m like, listen I know you’re not going to want to hear this but I got to get on a bull……it’s just for the show, nothing’s going to happen to me, I’m going to be fine”. ~ Brett Edwards from the set of The Longest RideIt was a great talk about the ups and downs of making a living in Hollywood, the entertainment business, while supporting a wife and children and having to travel to different countries and states for his acting jobs. Hopefully he gets the bald gold guy not wearing pants someday for his Dad.Subscribe: You can subscribe to The Travel Wi

Cake by Courtney owner, Courtney Rich, is my guest today. This isn’t déjà vu. Courtney is my first guest to be a repeat guest on my podcast. She is a self taught, baker extraordinaire who is using the lockdown situation to improve her relationships at home and interact on her social media platforms on a more personal basis.We had a great follow up conversation about how the lockdown affected her cake business, design classes and her new podcast, Courtney: Beyond the Cake. I might be biased, but I think her entry into podcasting as a way to connect with her fans is great. There are so many opportunities to reach customers and fans in different platforms and formats that we should do our best to provide what they want.“the silver lining of a challenge like this (quarantine) is that it kind of puts them to try something new….you see a ton of people trying new hobbies or DIY projects around the house” ~ Courtney RichSubscribe: You can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, iH

Wendy Hill – Vegas StoriesImagine all the crazy things you would see and the people you would meet after working nearly two decades in a major casino on the Las Vegas Strip. While most people slept, Wendy worked nights as a casino cocktail server during her 20’s and 30’s. She recalls the fast cash, partying while working, meeting famous people and dealing with drunk customers from all over the world.Las Vegas is the ultimate tourist and business travel destination, catering to millions of people who visit each year. These casino jobs employ nearly half of the cities population and cocktail server is one of the most sought after positions, followed by working SWING SHIFT, where ALL the action happens. Wendy reflects on the transition from Mob run era into corporate America taking control. We also chatted about life as a civilian after retiring her tray. “I saw about six security guards carrying a guy out that was zip tied at the ankles, they used his head to open the door and threw him out on the street.” ~ We

"Unleashing Happiness: The Journey of Roller Skating Maverick, Morgan Weske"In this episode of The Travel Wins, prepare to be captivated as we dive into the dynamic world of roller skating with none other than the trailblazing sensation herself, Morgan Weske. Join us on a voyage of discovery as we unveil how Morgan's unbridled passion for skating carved unforeseen pathways to success. From igniting her presence in showbiz to gracefully thriving as a professional backup dancer, Morgan's journey offers profound insights into finding genuine happiness while embarking on a globetrotting career.A Quest for Authenticity: In the words of Morgan Weske, "I could be Morgan Weske. I didn't have to cover up my tattoos, could wear whatever I want, be myself. People wanted that." With this powerful mantra, Morgan shattered norms and embraced her individuality, becoming an embodiment of freedom and authenticity. Tune in as Morgan delves into how embracing her true self not only brought her personal liberation but also reson

Ariel Garten is my guest today. She is a neuroscientist, mom, entrepreneur and co-founder of a company that creates MUSE: a brain sensing headband. It was exciting to speak with Ariel about meditation and how it can be a benefit for business travelers. Any interest in reducing jet lag, improving focus and being at your best you can after traveling then maybe meditation and MUSE might be a great fit.“There are lots of great hacks. My son had his frequent flyer account since the age of two years, the moment I needed to start paying for seats for him.” – Ariel GartenIt was a great talk about how a passion for neuroscience and meditation has provided many opportunities for Ariel to travel, speak and share her passions with others. Maybe an unlikely career path to be able to travel but she found a way to help others and travel at the same time.

Jim Cressman is my guest today. Jim is the founder of Invictus Entertainment Group based in Canada. He works as music agent to some incredible country music artists like, Aaron Pritchett, George Canyon, Cory Marks, Brett Kissell and several others. To expand and learn more about the music business, Jim expanded his business into show producing and promoting.“When I’m on the road I’m all about business, so I try and keep my travel period to 4 days or less so that I can see my family within the week regardless” – Jim CressmanWe had a great chat about the how the quarantine lockdown has affected his business, how he stays in shape while traveling and the importance of family and staying in touch even when he’s on the road.