Episodes

  • Unlocking Credit: Mercedes Bidart's Fintech Revolution (Part Two)

    Unlocking Credit: Mercedes Bidart's Fintech Revolution (Part Two)
    Nov 19 2024
    Richard continues his insightful conversation with Mercedes Bidart, co-founder and CEO of Quipu Bank. Mercedes delves deeper into the growth and evolution of her innovative fintech platform, which provides loans to small businesses in the informal economy. She shares how Quipu scaled from its initial success, leveraging AI and machine learning to refine their credit assessment models. Mercedes discusses the challenges of balancing technology with social impact, and reveals Quipu's future plans to expand globally by offering their technology to other financial institutions. The conversation also touches on valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of commitment to solving real problems and resilience in the face of uncertainty. This episode offers listeners a fascinating look at the intersection of technology, finance, and social entrepreneurship in emerging markets.
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    25 mins
  • Unlocking Credit: Mercedes Bidart's Fintech Revolution (Part One)

    Unlocking Credit: Mercedes Bidart's Fintech Revolution (Part One)
    Nov 12 2024
    Richard sits down with Mercedes Bidart, the co-founder and CEO of Quipu Bank. Mercedes shares her remarkable journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Argentina to founding a groundbreaking fintech platform that provides loans to small businesses in the informal economy. Listeners will hear about Mercedes' transition from studying political science to working on economic development in informal settlements, and how her experience at MIT led to the creation of Quipu Bank. She discusses how Quipu uses AI and alternative data to assess creditworthiness for unbanked businesses, and candidly shares the challenges of pivoting a startup and the importance of resilience as an entrepreneur. Mercedes offers valuable insights on overcoming setbacks, putting ego aside, and staying focused on creating positive change in the world. Her story, including a humorous anecdote about how lending to a sex shop owner helped launch Quipu's direct lending model, is sure to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in innovative approaches to economic inclusion.
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    24 mins
  • Building Bridges: Craig Pratt on Leadership, Generosity, and the Power of Connections (Part Two)

    Building Bridges: Craig Pratt on Leadership, Generosity, and the Power of Connections (Part Two)
    Oct 29 2024
    In the second part of this enlightening episode of Relationship Equity, Richard continues his conversation with Craig Pratt. They delve deeper into the art of networking, offering valuable advice for introverts looking to build meaningful connections. Craig and Richard discuss the importance of genuine interest in others, the power of small gestures, and how to approach relationship-building with a mindset of service. They share personal anecdotes, including Craig's "four R's" approach to communication and Richard's unique interview techniques. The episode concludes with reflections on the complexities of human dynamics and the qualities that make truly interesting people stand out.
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    25 mins
  • Building Bridges: Craig Pratt on Leadership, Generosity, and the Power of Connections (Part One)

    Building Bridges: Craig Pratt on Leadership, Generosity, and the Power of Connections (Part One)
    Oct 22 2024
    In this episode of Relationship Equity, Richard welcomes Craig Pratt from Arctic Wolf, for a heartfelt conversation about leadership and giving back. Craig shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a mission-driven leader, including a touching story of a stranger's generosity that changed his life. The two discuss their shared experiences on the board of Genesis Works and Craig's role in founding Holes for Hope, an initiative supporting employees in the golf industry. They explore the power of relationship equity, the importance of treating everyone with equal respect, and how building genuine connections can lead to transformative community initiatives. This episode offers valuable insights on leadership, philanthropy, and the ripple effect of kindness in both business and life.
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    27 mins
  • The Art of Giving to Grow: Mastering Relationship Equity with Mo Bunnell (Part Two)

    The Art of Giving to Grow: Mastering Relationship Equity with Mo Bunnell (Part Two)
    Sep 24 2024
    Richard Walker continues his insightful conversation with Mo Bunnell, delving deeper into the art of building meaningful business relationships. Mo shares the inspiration behind his books "The Snowball System" and "Give to Grow," offering valuable insights on overcoming self-doubt and the misconception that only extroverts can be influential. The discussion takes an intriguing turn as they explore the power of asking the right questions and the unexpected advantages of being an ambivert in relationship building. Richard and Mo wrap up with a light-hearted exchange about AI, hot sauce, and donkeys, perfectly demonstrating the role of humor in forging connections. This episode is packed with practical advice for professionals looking to enhance their relationship-building skills, regardless of their personality type.
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    22 mins
  • The Art of Giving to Grow: Mastering Relationship Equity with Mo Bunnell (Part One)

    The Art of Giving to Grow: Mastering Relationship Equity with Mo Bunnell (Part One)
    Sep 17 2024
    Richard engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Mo Bunnell, author of "The Snowball System" and "Give to Grow". The duo delves into the transformative power of prioritizing others in both business and personal life, exploring the science behind successful givers and practical strategies for building lasting relationship equity. Through engaging anecdotes and research-backed insights, they discuss the art of genuine listening, the strategic use of humor in strengthening connections, and the delicate balance between giving and running a successful enterprise. Richard and Mo share real-world examples of how relationship-focused approaches have yielded significant returns, offering listeners actionable tips for growing their network and influence. This episode is a must-listen for professionals seeking to enhance their interpersonal skills and achieve greater success through meaningful connections in today's fast-paced business world.
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    36 mins
  • Finding Joy and Creativity with Eric Perkins (Part Two)

    Finding Joy and Creativity with Eric Perkins (Part Two)
    Aug 27 2024
    In the second half of this insightful conversation, Eric Perkins opens up about his brave decision to leave his successful 25-year broadcasting career at KARE 11 to start his own business, Perk at Play Productions. Eric shares the real motivations behind taking the entrepreneurial leap, from wanting to be more present for his family to rediscovering his creative passion. He provides an honest look at the challenges of going from the fast-paced corporate world to building his own company's processes. The discussion dives deep into the power of relationships that Eric cultivated throughout his career in the community. You'll learn how prioritizing genuine connections and becoming a positive force has allowed him to tap into his relationship equity when starting his new venture. Eric reveals the characteristics he looks for in ideal clients and partners, emphasizing shared values over just business transactions. He and Richard explore the importance of surrounding yourself with trusted advisors who truly want to see you succeed when embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply appreciate insights into building lasting relationships, this candid second half with the ever-entertaining Eric Perkins will energize you to invest in your relationship equity.
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    23 mins
  • Finding Joy and Creativity with Eric Perkins (Part One)

    Finding Joy and Creativity with Eric Perkins (Part One)
    Aug 20 2024
    For 25 years, Eric Perkins was a familiar face in Minnesota broadcasting as the sports director and nightly anchor at KARE 11. Known for his unique flair and ability to inject joy into his storytelling, Eric has brought his one-of-a-kind talents to a new venture - Perk At Play Productions. In this lively conversation, Eric opens up about his lifelong love of entertainment and broadcasting that started from visiting his father, a longtime NBC News correspondent, on set as a child. He shares how building meaningful relationships through playfulness and authenticity became core to his brand and success. Eric and host Richard Walker discuss embracing a childlike sense of fun, the value of laughter, and how Eric is using tools like AI to spark creativity in his productions. You'll hear hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including Eric's unforgettable interactions with childhood hero John McEnroe. Whether you're looking to inject more energy into your work, build better rapport with colleagues, or just want a hearty dose of laughter, this insightful and joyful episode with Eric Perkins will leave you inspired to find the fun in whatever you do.
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    20 mins