Tal and PJ welcome Christopher Guerrera, who shares his extraordinary journey from working with industry giants like Ford and BMW to becoming a two-time Shark Tank winner and a familiar face on national TV. He discusses the daring decisions that shaped his career, the financial risks he took to fund his ventures, and the pivotal moments that tested his persistence. Christopher also delves into his passion for mentorship, recounting stories of inventors he's helped, and his upcoming event "Modern Pitch the Pros." He also reflects on a bold live proposal on Good Morning America, which led to an unforgettable hot mic moment.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Christopher's career-defining moves at Ford and BMW and how they shaped his journey.

2. The financial risks and self-funding challenges that added twists to his entrepreneurial path.

3. Overcoming moments when everything seemed to go wrong and the power of persistence.

4. The bold live proposal to his wife on Good Morning America and the unexpected hot mic moment.

5. Collaborations with high-profile figures like Daymond John and their impact on his business.

6. Mentoring inventors and transforming their ideas into success stories.

7. Scaling businesses with unconventional strategies and the importance of a strong team.

8. The "Modern Pitch the Pros" event and the wildest pitch Christopher has encountered.

9. Insights gained from his appearances on Shark Tank, TV shows, and national competitions.

10. Christopher's entrepreneurial philosophy distilled into bold advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Quotable Moments:

"Persistence and grinding, working with the right people, but in the end, I'm always betting on ME."

"Take actions until you do; it's just a thought. Have a real plan that you can measure yourself against."

Connect with Christopher:

- Facebook: [@themoderninventor](https://www.facebook.com/themoderninventor)

- Instagram: [@moderninventorllc](https://www.instagram.com/moderninventorllc)

- LinkedIn: [@themoderninventor](https://www.linkedin.com/company/themoderninventor)

- TikTok: [@moderninventorllc](https://www.tiktok.com/@moderninventorllc)

Listener Engagement:

We're eager to hear your thoughts on Christopher's journey and how his stories of risk-taking and persistence resonate with your own entrepreneurial experiences.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Braving Business Podcast or its hosts.

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Stay brave!

Join Tal & PJ as in welcoming Grace Vandecruze, the founder and Managing Director of Grace Global Capital, to the Braving Business Podcast and internationally best-selling author of "Homeless to Millionaire."

Episode Summary:

Grace shares her extraordinary journey from growing up as an immigrant and surviving homelessness to becoming a leading figure in the world of investment banking. With over $20 billion in insurance transactions under her belt, Grace discusses the importance of financial literacy, the power of resilience, and the lessons she’s learned from both her professional career and her passion for climbing some of the world’s tallest peaks.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Grace’s journey from an immigrant background and homelessness to a successful career in investment banking.

2. The inspiration behind her passion for financial self-sufficiency during her time in a homeless shelter.

3. Overcoming obstacles as an immigrant woman of color in the male-dominated world of Wall Street.

4. The key messages she hopes readers take from her best-selling book, "Homeless to Millionaire."

5. The significance of financial literacy and the often-overlooked aspects of managing personal finances.

6. Memorable deals from her career and what made them stand out.

7. How climbing 25 mountain peaks has influenced her approach to business and life.

8. The role of passion outside of work and how to discover it.

9. Insights into her upcoming MasterClass based on her book.

10. Future goals and projects that Grace is excited about.

Quotable Moments:

"Unlock your potential by turning challenges into opportunities and let your journey toward financial abundance inspire and empower you to achieve greatness."

MasterClass:

Grace's masterclass is now available! Go to https://www.masterclass.com

Connect with Grace:

- Website: [Grace Global Capital](https://www.graceglobalcapital.com)

- Instagram: [Grace Vandecruze](https://www.instagram.com/gracevandecruze/)

- Twitter: [Grace Vandecruze](https://x.com/GraceVandecruze)

- LinkedIn: [Grace Vandecruze](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevandecruze/)

- Facebook: [Grace Vandecruze](https://www.facebook.com/gracevandecruze)

Listener Engagement:

We're eager to hear your reflections on Grace’s journey and the ways it resonates with your own experiences of facing and overcoming adversity.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Braving Business Podcast or its hosts.

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Stay brave!

Tal and PJ welcome Shellye Archambeau, a trailblazing technology leader and icon in the business world. Shellye's career began at IBM, where she became the first African American woman to be sent on an international assignment. She was later recruited by Blockbuster and launched their first online presence. Shellye then became one of the first female African American CEOs in Silicon Valley at MetricStream, a company she built into a global market leader. She serves on the boards of Verizon, Nordstrom, Roper Technologies, and Okta and is a strategic advisor to Forbes Ignite. Shellye is also the author of the inspiring book "Unapologetically Ambitious."

Episode Summary:

Shellye Archambeau shares her journey from a young saleswoman at IBM to becoming a top executive in the tech industry. She discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming impostor syndrome and balancing personal and professional life. Shellye also talks about the importance of risk-taking, building networks, and her vision for future leaders.

Key Questions:

1. Shellye's early influences and decisions that led her to the life path she chose.

2. Significant barriers Shellye faced at IBM and how she navigated them.

3. Insights and lessons learned from her time at Blockbuster.

4. Personal experiences and lessons learned during her tenure as CEO of MetricStream.

5. Stories and strategies for overcoming impostor syndrome.

6. Practical advice for ambitious women balancing work, marriage, and parenthood.

7. Key factors in Shellye's risk matrix and managing fear in decision-making.

8. Approaching and building meaningful professional relationships.

9. Important qualities and skills for aspiring leaders in corporate America.

10. Insights on writing "Unapologetically Ambitious" and what she hopes readers take away from it.

11. The role of mentorship and how Shellye has both benefited from and contributed to it.

12. How Shellye has seen the tech industry evolve and where she sees it heading.

13. Advice for young professionals facing setbacks and how to use them as stepping stones.

Special Mentions:

- Shellye's early career at IBM and Blockbuster.

- Leadership at MetricStream and contributions to the tech industry.

- Insights from her book "Unapologetically Ambitious."

Quotable Moments:

- "A setback can be a stepping stone if you allow it to be."

- "When your best times collide with your worst, you are defining and unleashing the Incredible in you."

Connect with Shellye:

Listeners can connect with Shellye through her LinkedIn profile and find her book "Unapologetically Ambitious" wherever books are sold.

Outro:

Thanks to Shellye Archambeau for sharing her inspiring journey and valuable insights. Her story of resilience, ambition, and leadership continues to inspire many.

Listener Engagement:

We invite listeners to share their thoughts and stories of overcoming challenges in their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Braving Business Podcast or its hosts.

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Stay brave!