Real Leaders Podcast

On today's episode, Laura speaks with Sally Hurley, the CEO of VIPdesk Connect. VIPdesk Connect provides some of the best customer experience on the planet. We discussed how to make the customer experience and service industry more human in such a digital age, along with tips on how to run a business in a virtual world through remote work, and pointers on leadership!

On this episode, Laura speaks with FullCycle Founder and Managing Partner Ibrahim AlHusseini. Through his work at FullCycle, Ibrahim works to invest in both companies and their respective real assets in the mobilization against the climate crisis. FullCycle does this by enabling institutional investors to deploy capital at scale while delivering outsized financial returns. During this conversation, Laura and Ibrahim discuss how leading with empathy, and critical thinking skills bring impactful change to the climate space. 

As the founding managing partner of EcoAdvisors, Hari Balasubramiania is on a mission to show that sustainability is not only possible, it is accessible. As the name suggests, EcoAdvisors guides their clients through the process of finding the opportunity in sustainability to drive economic value and show that sustainability 'costs' are an investment in the long-term survival of their business models. Listen to Hari's story on this podcast. 

Almost 18 years ago, Carissa Reiniger started a business at the age of 22 with the vision to help small businesses flourish. Now, all of these years later, Carissa does this on a global level with a lens for impact, justice, and real change. Listen to Carissa's incredible journey on this week's podcast!

On today's episode, Laura talks to David Billstrom, the CEO of Kitsbow Apparel, about what it means to run a human-centric business. Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina, Kitsbow does apparel differently. Every order placed at Kitsbow is made-to-order, meaning less waste is involved because clothes are not being thrown away that didn't sell. Listen to David speak about this and what it takes to run a people-focused business, create high-quality sustainable-minded products, and the benefits of manufacturing apparel in the United States on this episode.

How many people can say they have caught and eaten a crocodile, climbed the tallest mountains in South America, rowed from Cuba to Florida, and made their own raft to float down the Amazon River? Not many, that's for sure, but Davis Smith has. As the founder and CEO of Cotopaxi, an outdoor brand, adventure comes naturally to Smith. But Cotopaxi is much more than just your average outdoor brand. It centers around impact and reducing poverty. Listen to his entrepreneurship journey and passion for doing good for the world in this episode. 

Keith Bowers is the Founder and President of Biohabitats What is the mindset of a company who wants to exist in 100 years and how can you create a culture or leaders to sustain it? In this episode, Keith Bowers shares BioHabitats impact, how to avoid pitfalls of short-term thinking and lead a culture of far-sighted leaders. This interview was conducted by kevin Edwards, General Manager of Real Leaders and streamed live to the Real Leaders Community on LinkedIn.

Transform VC is a Venture Capital investment and advisory firm based in Silicon Valley who invests in, create and build sustainable businesses with a long-term investment view. In this episode, Raed Masri and Rama Chakakari describe their investment thesis and why they believe the future of successful businesses will need to be one that impacts a billion lives.

Peter Krull is the Partner & Director of Sustainable Investing at Earth Equity Advisors. In this episode Peter breaks down the difference between ESG and Impact, the advantages of sustainable investing and what makes a successful exit. "A Real Leaders is someone who is willing to go the extra mile." 

Andy Keller is the Founder of Chico Bag and Chico Bag To-Go Ware. Rarely do we talk about patience and the uncertain path of life and business. In this episode, Andy Keller shares his unconventional journey to success and the importance of knowing that you don't know everything. To learn about Chico Bag, please visit: https://chicobag.com