• From Crisis to Innovation: Building Healthier Homes with Andy Pace
    Aug 20 2024

    In this insightful episode of OPTICS™ in Action, host Ryan Weiss interviews Andy Pace, the founder of the Green Design Center and a leading voice in the healthy home movement. Andy shares his transformative journey from a traditional career in construction to becoming a passionate advocate for non-toxic, environmentally conscious building practices.

    The conversation begins with Andy recounting a pivotal moment in his career—an incident involving toxic coatings that nearly cost him everything. This experience drove him to question the safety of commonly used building materials and ultimately inspired him to create the Green Design Center, a business dedicated to providing safer, sustainable alternatives.

    Ryan and Andy explore the nuances of green design, discussing how true sustainability goes beyond environmental impact to consider the health and well-being of building occupants. Andy emphasizes the importance of consumer education, highlighting the hidden dangers in everyday building materials and the need for greater transparency in the industry.

    Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges of balancing sustainability with human health and learn practical tips for making safer, healthier choices in their own homes or businesses. Whether you're a homeowner, builder, or simply interested in creating a healthier living environment, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration.

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    23 mins
  • From Startup to Scale: Effective Strategies for Managing a Diverse Portfolio of 28 Businesses
    Jul 19 2024

    In this episode of OPTIC(S)™ in Action host Ryan Weiss interviews Allan Draper, an entrepreneur managing a portfolio of 28 diverse businesses, including pest control, software, product companies, a law firm, and more. Draper shares his passion for the startup phase of businesses and the importance of people and processes in scaling operations.

    He emphasizes the significance of hiring skilled operational partners, maintaining core values, and adapting practices to different market needs while ensuring safety and efficiency.

    Draper also highlights the value of understanding the "why" behind processes, fostering a culture of feedback, and openly addressing failures to drive growth and improvement. Both Weiss and Draper agree on the importance of learning from failures and maintaining transparency to build stronger connections and credibility within their teams. Draper concludes by inviting listeners to connect with him on social media or through his website, where he offers free 15-minute consultation calls.

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    26 mins
  • Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Insights from Spencer Padway's Journey in Transforming Strategies
    Jul 13 2024

    In this episode of OPTIC(S)™ in Action, Ryan Weiss interviews Spencer Padway, CEO of Search Nurture and Project FBA.

    Spencer shares his marketing journey, highlighting how his agency, Search Nurture, focuses on turning negative business inflection points into positives. He explains that Search Nurture initially addressed a common industry issue by allowing clients to hire their account managers, transforming a typically negative situation into a beneficial one for all parties involved.

    Spencer emphasizes the importance of transparency, leading by example, and understanding the "why" behind processes to foster innovation and satisfaction within his team. He concludes by encouraging listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn or via the Search Nurture website.

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    16 mins
  • Balancing Innovation and Workforce: Insights from EnPro and AmeriChem on the Future of U.S. Manufacturing with Grant Cook and Michael Perry
    Jul 1 2024

    In this episode of the OPTICS™ in Action podcast, Ryan Weiss interviews Grant Cook, president of EnPro, and Michael Perry, national sales manager for AmeriChem Systems.

    They discuss the critical role of manufacturing in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of keeping manufacturing jobs local and supporting American industries.

    Grant and Michael share insights on how their companies focus on people, processes, and products to enhance efficiency, maintainability, and reliability in manufacturing.

    They highlight the value of being on the shop floor, understanding real-world challenges, and prioritizing practical solutions over chasing technological fads. The conversation also touches on the importance of trade skills and the need for a balanced approach to education and career paths in the U.S.

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    21 mins
  • 46 - Revolutionizing the Homebuying Experience with Knowledge and Support with Epic Mortgage's Dante Royster
    Jun 13 2024

    Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of Epic Mortgage, Dante Royster. Epic Mortgage, is driven by a mission to educate and support individuals in achieving the American dream of owning a home, which is particularly important in the current market with its high interest rates and limited housing availability.

    Dante emphasized the importance of the mortgage pre-approval process as the first step in buying a home. He pointed out that lenders need to be able to recognize and understand diverse and non-traditional income sources, such as earnings from social media platforms or cryptocurrency investments, which are increasingly relevant today.

    Dante highlighted the critical role of real estate professionals, including mortgage brokers, in educating clients and helping them make informed decisions. He has authored "The Ultimate Mortgage Guide," available on Amazon, to further assist first-time and returning homebuyers in understanding the homebuying process.

    To learn more about Dante's work, click HERE and HERE.

    Check out Dante's book, The Ultimate Mortgage Guide, HERE.

    Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

    Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

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    20 mins
  • 45 - Unleashing the Power of Selfless Teams with Culture Force with Thomas Kereszti
    Jun 6 2024

    Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Leadership Expert, Author, Strategic Advisor, Coach, Educator, Mentor, and Speaker, Thomas Kereszti. Thamas' brainchild, Culture Force, was born out of a need to bridge the gap between the substantial investments companies make in leadership training and the alarming rate of employee turnover due to poor management. Tom's mission is to cultivate selfless, self-functional teams within the heart of organizations, ensuring a resilient and autonomous culture that thrives even amidst leadership transitions at the top.

    To learn more about Thomas' work, click HERE and HERE.

    Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

    Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

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    23 mins
  • 47 - The Power of EOS: How Documented Processes Can Revolutionize Your Business with EOS Worldwide's Chris Castillo
    Jun 3 2024

    Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Certified EOS Implementer of EOS Worldwide, Chris Castillo. Chris's journey is a testament to the power of passion and the drive to help others succeed. Starting a coaching company with his wife in 2010, Chris encountered firsthand the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Struggling to maintain a work-life balance and seeking a more sustainable business model, he stumbled upon the EOS system—a set of concepts and tools that revolutionized his approach to business operations.

    After relocating to Texas and implementing EOS in his own business, Chris experienced remarkable growth, leading to a successful exit. This pivotal moment underscored the importance of clear vision, robust leadership, and measurable goals in fostering accountability and driving success.

    To learn more about Chris's work, click HERE and HERE.

    Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

    Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

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    21 mins
  • 44 - The Future of Infrastructure: Smart, Sustainable, and Interconnected with Hampton, Lenzini, Renwick's Ryan Livingston
    May 30 2024

    Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Vice President, Director of Engineering, and Construction Department Manager of Hampton, Lenzini, Renwick, Ryan Livingston. Ryan's journey is a testament to the power of childhood curiosity. He recounted how his early fascination with construction and the iconic Hoover Dam steered him toward a career in civil engineering. Ryan's enthusiasm was palpable as he described the fulfillment he finds in being part of civil engineering projects that lead to tangible improvements for local agencies. It's this sense of accomplishment and contribution to society that fuels his ongoing dedication to the field.

    To learn more about Ryan's work, click HERE and HERE.

    Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

    Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.

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    18 mins