INspired INsider Podcast

Jason Mandel is the Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families. He is a Wall Street insider and a private financial adviser and has held senior positions at the LeFrak Organization, D.E. Shaw, and Cantor Fitzgerald. Jason has over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in financial services and risk management. Additionally, he is the President of Caretrust Financial and the author of DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Stop Wall Street Greed and Rising Taxes From Destroying Your Wealth. In this episode… Are you ready to take control of your financial future? It's time to explore investment options that can generate rewards and help your wealth grow. But with so many investment strategies available, how can you determine which is right for you? Investing is a powerful tool that helps you achieve your long-term goals and build wealth over time. But it's crucial to approach investing with a strategy that aligns with your unique needs and goals — and that's where a financial advisor comes in: an expert who can provide personalized guidance and expertise to help you navigate the complex investing world with a focus on tax minimization, asset protection, risk management, portfolio optimization, and the creation of tax-free income plans. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Jason Mandel, Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office, to discuss wealth management tips. Jason talks about the genesis of The Mandel Family Office, alternative investment strategies with a focus on risk management, its ideal client profile, and life insurance investment strategies.

Faizan Syed is the Founder and CEO of East River, an Effie Award-winning full-service digital marketing agency. With a diverse global client footprint, East River serves an array of sectors including healthcare, beauty, confectionary, pharma, technology, beverage, real estate, and financial services. Its past clientele boasts prominent companies such as Oreo, Cadbury, Unilever, and Pizza Hut, among many others. Before establishing East River, Faizan brought his expertise as an investment banker and business analyst at General Motors to the digital marketing sphere. With a full-time in-house team of about 100 employees, East River serves clients across the US, UK, the Middle East, and Australia. In this episode… In the realm of digital marketing, big-brand campaigns are experiencing a revolution. This seismic shift is not just about adapting to the online landscape but about harnessing its power, driving engagement, and translating it into tangible results. Enter Faizan Syed, the brilliant mind behind East River, a digital agency that broke into the international scene and won contracts from global brands like Mondelez, Oreo, and Coach. From navigating the intricacies of search engine optimization to tackling the challenges of work-from-home setups, Faizan's expertise runs deep and wide. His insights provide a fresh perspective on how to navigate the evolving digital landscape. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz delves into an insightful conversation with Faizan Syed, Founder and CEO of East River. They discuss how Faizan ventured into digital marketing, his transformative journey from a beginner to handling major clients, and the unique strategies that led to significant success. This episode also uncovers Faizan's learnings from running digital campaigns in various markets, especially the unique digital landscape of Pakistan.

Eitan Chitayat is the Founder of Natie, an international branding agency. With living experiences in prominent cities like Hong Kong, London, Tel Aviv, New York, and Boston, Eitan brings a global perspective to his work. He has served as a judge in advertising's finest competition, the One Show, and has learned from industry-leading organizations such as BBDO, Ogilvy and Mather NYC, and Arnold Worldwide in Boston. His client list boasts illustrious names including Apple, Target, AT&T, and Google. Eitan created the viral video "I'm that Jew" viewed over 10 million times and has delivered a TEDx talk on why he created it. He is also a founding chapter member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization Israel. In this episode… What are the challenges in the world of building brands internationally? How do you effectively create eye-catching brands? Delve into Eitan Chitayat's approach to branding — understanding the specific thought process that lies behind every successful branding project. Know what's behind Eitan's decision to keep his agency Natie small, sharing the benefits of this approach, including his ability to be a hands-on, approachable, and present leader. Glean insights into the world of global branding in this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast with Dr. Jeremy Weisz featuring Eitan Chitayat, the Founder of Natie. Eitan shares stories from his journey including launching Gmail in Africa, rebranding The Jewish Agency for Israel, and the branding of Sweet Victory. Listen as Eitan dismantles common misconceptions about Israel, taking down erroneous claims of genocide and apartheid while shedding light on the country's multicultural reality.

James Lindsay is the Founder and CEO of Rap Snacks, a snack foods company that features hip-hop artists on its products. The brand has partnered with some of the most recognizable names in the rap game, including Cardi B, Migos, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Master P, and Romeo, making it one of the most visible hip-hop geared snack products over the last few decades. James has also expanded his business to include beverages, collaborating with Lil' Baby to launch Oowee Lemonade, a five-flavored lemonade line. He has appeared on various media outlets, such as CBS Morning Show, ABC's The Jimmy Kimmel Show, BET, Fox News, People Magazine, The Tavis Smiley Show, Black Enterprise, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine In this episode… Launching and growing a snack brand is no easy feat. It takes more than just having a quality product with great flavors. So, how can you be strategic and innovative to thrive in this competitive industry? Imagine your snack brand associating with the biggest names in the music industry, like Cardi B, Migos, Lil Boosie, Rick Ross, Drake, and others. James Lindsay says one key tactic for thriving in the snacks industry is collaborating with some of the most recognizable artists in the music game. Not only does partnering with them help elevate your brand's image, but it also opens up doors to new audiences, and you gain valuable exposure and recognition in the market. He shares how he creates limited edition flavors, rap-focused packaging, and music videos with renowned artists in the rap game to showcase his brand uniquely and engagingly. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews James Lindsay, Founder and CEO of Rap Snacks, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey in the snacks industry. James talks about Rap Snacks and its products and flavors, forming partnerships with well-known artists, and the challenges he faced growing his company.

Eran Heffetz is the Co-founder and CEO of Bites, a game-changing training platform that offers the ultimate solution for training, communication, and engagement of the frontline workforce. It is a revolutionary content creation app that enables managers to easily create media-based professional units and seamless delivery of the units to employees via existing channels such as WhatsApp, Slack, SMS, and Microsoft Teams. With past successes in hospitality, real estate, and technology, Eran co-founded eight restaurants and bars, is a board member of fintech startup Obligo, and is the Co-founder and Board Member of City People, which specializes in urban renewal projects. He is also a veteran IAF F-16 fighter pilot with experience as an executive in various industries. In this episode… Training and engaging the frontline workforce is part of increasing the overall performance of a company. But do you have the expertise, platform, or tools to streamline the training process and make it more efficient and effective? Frontline employees are often the face of the company and are responsible for delivering the first impression to customers. Therefore, receiving the necessary training to perform their duties effectively is crucial. However, many managers struggle to train their frontline employees for various reasons, including a lack of time, resources, expertise, different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. Eran Heffetz recommends hiring someone who offers the ultimate solution for training, communications, and engaging the frontline workforce. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz is joined by Eran Heffetz, Co-founder and CEO of Bites, to discuss how companies can efficiently and effectively train their frontline employees. Eran talks about Bites, why he built a tech-based training platform for frontline employees, its business and pricing models, and customer success stories.

Cole Schaefer is the Co-founder of SMACKIN' Sunflower Seeds, jumbo-flavored sunflower seeds roasted and seasoned to perfection. He is a self-starting college entrepreneur dedicated to creating products and services that improve the lives of others. Previously, Cole served as the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blueprint Brands, a Venture Capital Analyst at Atland Ventures, and a Digital Marketer at Homi Inc. He holds a BS in marketing from the University of Minnesota. In this episode… Are you a fan of sunflower seeds? Are you interested in finding sunflower seeds that offer unique and delicious flavors? Sunflowers contain healthy fats, essential plant compounds, and several vitamins and minerals that can help reduce the risk of common health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and cholesterol. Sunflower seeds are becoming increasingly popular for snacking straight from the bag, in trail mix, multi-grain bread, and nutrition bars. However, finding unique and delicious flavors can be a challenge. This propelled Cole Schaefer to create a brand of better-tasting and better-for-you sunflower seed snacks people can enjoy. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Cole Schaefer, Co-founder of SMACKIN' Sunflower Seeds, to share his entrepreneurial journey in creating a sunflower seeds brand. Cole talks about SMACKIN', the evolution of its products, tips for growing your online presence as a brand, and the challenges he faced.

Grace Erickson is the CEO of Zing Bars, a chocolate brand that creates nourishing wellness bars for health-conscious consumers. She has a wealth of experience in general management, marketing, operations, accounting and finance, and HR/IT. Grace has a proven track record of creating, planning, and building processes, metrics, and projects for small and medium businesses. She also serves on the board of directors at American Licorice Company. In this episode… Do you have a sweet tooth for chocolate? As a mindful nosher, where can you get healthy and delicious chocolate bars you can enjoy? Nowadays, people are becoming cautious of what they consume. Health-conscious snackers are increasingly seeking nutrient-dense snacks. However, most of the available healthy snacks are less tasty. Grace Erickson shares their journey of creating wellness bars that are low-glycemic and free from wheat, gluten, soy, and any artificial ingredients or additives to provide a tasty and satisfying snack that's perfect for people on the go. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Grace Erickson, CEO of Zing Bars, to discuss their nourishing wellness chocolate bars. Grace talks about Zing Bars' process of creating healthy nutrition bars with tasty flavors, its rebranding journey, and the challenges it faced during the pandemic.

Christopher Warman Sr. is the CEO of Chocolate Moonshine, a gourmet fudge, chocolate, and hand-painted truffle bar manufacturer. Using traditional cooking methods, Chocolate Moonshine uses French and Belgian chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, and pure sugar cane ingredients to make delicious confections. Chris began a career in confectionery in 1983 and has since been recognized as a leader in the fudge category. He also has over three decades of experience in manufacturing, retail, and wholesale distribution. In this episode… Do you have a sweet tooth for chocolate? Are you looking for the best places to buy delicious fudge and chocolate? Despite the growing awareness of potential health issues, people still crave delicious food. For chocolate lovers, Christopher Warman Sr. recommends purchasing confections from brands that prioritize healthy, pure, and fresh ingredients in their fudges. He shares his journey of becoming a leading figure in the gourmet fudge and truffle bar industry. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Christopher Warman Sr., CEO of Chocolate Moonshine, about his journey as a gourmet fudge and chocolate manufacturer. Chris talks about Chocolate Moonshine, its alcohol-infused and non-alcoholic products, and the challenges he faced in his entrepreneurial journey.

Shane Robbins is the Owner of Bulk Wild Bison, a brand that produces high-quality bison meat that's healthy and incredibly tasty. He is an industry expert in bison production and spends most of his time caring for his herds. Before Bulk Wild Bison, Shane worked for Coca-Cola as a merchandiser salesperson for 15 years. Michael Goldstein is the Co-founder and President of Shrewd Food, a brand that offers hi-protein, low-carb, low-fat, and keto-friendly snacks across the globe. He is a dynamic, multi-faceted professional and leader with over 25 years of experience in product development, commercialization, co-packing, global key account sales management, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning. Michael is also a partner at Clever Cookie Corp and has a culinary and pastry background that adds to his resourceful executive skills. In this episode… Are you aspiring to be an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry? What can you learn from experts to help you thrive in this space? Starting a food brand can be both exciting and challenging. With the market already saturated with different brands, it can be difficult to stand out and make a name for yourself. However, with the right strategy, you can overcome these challenges and grow your brand. Shane Robbins and Michael Goldstein share how they are scaling their food brands by attending exhibitions like the Sweets and Snacks Expo. They recommend them as the ideal platforms for food businesses to showcase their products, interact with potential customers, and network with other industry players. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz welcomes Shane Robbins, Owner of Bulk Wild Bison, and Michael Goldstein, Co-founder and President of Shrewd Food, to discuss their entrepreneurial journey in the food industry. They explain how they started their companies, their product and flavor evolution, the challenges they've faced growing their brands, and the value of attending expos.

Carly Schildhaus is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Confectioners Association, the leading trade organization representing the US confectionery industry. The association promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum, and mints in a happy and balanced lifestyle. Previously, Carly worked as an Associate Director of Development at The George Washington University, but now she serves as an outside reader. She holds an MA in media and public affairs from The George Washington University. Theresa Bostic is the Co-founder of Kayla's Italian Ice, a brand that provides premium frozen desserts that are gluten, dairy, and soy-free, made with cane sugar. Her role in the company includes providing leadership development in business and training for potential franchise owners. Theresa also serves as an OE (Operating Experience) Trainer and Brand Ambassador of Delta Air Lines. She holds a bachelor's degree in human resources and an MBA in project management from Brenau University. Allison Lin is the Co-founder and COO at Like Air, a family-run brand that makes delicious and gluten-free puffcorn that melts in your mouth. Before Like Air, she was a Global Product Owner at HSBC. Allison holds a master's degree in international relations from the University of Nicosia and a BS in foreign service from Georgetown University. Tessa Porter is the Founder of Norma's Snacks, a brand that offers a range of natural fruity snacks for those who crave something delicious. With a background as a candy scientist and R&D leader, she has a proven track record of success in the CPG industry. Tessa is also the Owner of Sprinkk, a candy development business supporting confectioners from idea to manufacturing. In this episode… Are you an entrepreneur in the snack and candy industry? Where can you get the secrets to thrive in this space? The snack and candy industry is a highly competitive market constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers. With so many brands vying for attention, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd. That's where the Sweets and Snacks Expo comes in. Learn how this event is the perfect opportunity for brands in the snack and candy industry to showcase their products and connect with potential customers. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Carly Schildhaus, Theresa Bostic, Allison Lin, and Tessa Porter as they showcase their brands and products at the Sweets and Snacks Expo. They share their brands' genesis stories, snacks and candy trends, the challenges they've encountered, and their proudest moments growing their brands.