Coffee with Jon - Think Big. Get Unstuck. Grow Your Business

Karin Katz is a blogger and relationship coach currently writing at A Sample of Love. Karin has been there and done that, as she has lived the many cycles of relationships: married, divorced, single again and in long-term relationships where there was deep love. Karin has a BA in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from Michigan State University. Her journey has allowed opportunities to study, experience and complete Kabbalah twice and earn a certification in coaching with a focus on love and relationships. Writing has always been a passion of Karin's. She has enjoyed writing in many different genres such as a published children's book author,"There's A Fly In My Soup" and "One to Ten and Over Again", former columnist in The Detroit Jewish News, a blogger for both Eydis Magazine and Ask Dr. Nandi, and a former corporate speechwriter with over 2000 clients. Karin has appeared as a guest relationship expert on countless radio shows and TV programs, including, Fox News Detroit and The Big Show starring Michael Patrick Shiels. She has coached and inspired hundreds of client's in-person, over the phone, via email and text, from all over the US, with her primary practice in Michigan. Connect with Karin Katz: Website: www.asampleoflove.com Twitter: @KatzKarin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-katz-sherman-70b05929/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Blake George is the founder of BMG Media Co., BMG Gaming, Crown Jewel Investments, and Unite Digital. He is also a key investor in Neptix, B-File, and Weblron. George is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, client relationships, and branding consultation expertise. Blake George was born and raised in West Bloomfield, MI during the early 1990s. He attended Cranbrook Schools, an elite college preparatory school located in Bloomfield Hills, MI during his formative years. George later attended Michigan State University in 2005 and received his degree in General Business and Entrepreneurship from the Eli Broad College of Business. George founded BMG Media Co. in 2009 during the midst of America's recession. He started his company to assist his fellow graduates and bolster their new businesses in the wake of the economic upheaval. His full-service branding, custom web design, software development, and e-commerce solutions company quickly became successful and allowed him to invest in other growing businesses. In 2013, George was a contestant on the popular television series Shark Tank with his new invention Magic Moments. Although his invention was not received well, George said the experience was integral to his growth as an entrepreneur and a businessman. George currently works in Birmingham, Michigan. He is drawn to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that lives within the city. He continues to work, look for new investment opportunities, and provide consultation for small businesses and startup companies. Connect with Blake George: Website: https://bmgmediaco.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmgmediaco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakemgeorge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmgmediaco Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmgmediaco/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Michael Bassirpour is on a mission to become the largest metal recycler in the Midwest, and he's making moves in the right direction. Since taking the helm of GLR in 2014, Bassirpour has expanded the family-owned firm from one site and 40 employees to six sites and over 100 employees. He attributes his success to humble beginnings that helped him forge a strong work ethic. Driven by the grit that elevated him from scrapping amateur to top brass, Bassirpour hopes to eventually be in all major cities in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana with at least 1,000 employees. "I guess some people operate like, 'I hope this works,' and some people operate like, 'This has to happen,'" he said. "You grind, you hustle and you treat people with respect, honesty and dignity and do what you say you're going to do, and that goes a long way." Connect with Michael Bassipour: Website: https://www.glradvanced.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bassirpour-1ba9b65 Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Chief Internet Marketing is the creation of advertising and marketing specialist, Jeff Stanislow. Jeff's unparalleled success with Michigan enterprise, Motor City Interactive and Tampa Bay's The Bay Connection, sparked the creation of this Florida-based digital consulting enterprise. Jeff has specialized in online marketing for over 10 years, providing solutions to companies such as AAA Life, Bally Total Fitness, EDS, Flagstar Bank, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, St. John Health System, and many others. Frequently sought as a guest speaker on internet trends and topics, Jeff is also an Adjunct Professor at Walsh College, where he teaches graduate-level classes in interactive marketing. In addition, he is a past president of GLIMA (Great Lakes Interactive Marketing Association), and is a member of the board of directors for DMAD (Direct Marketing Association of Detroit). Jeff holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Michigan State University, and an M.S. degree in Information Management & Communications from Walsh College. Jeff is well respected throughout the community and in addition to his listing in Who's Who in Technology – Crain's Detroit, he has been published in the Detroit News, Michigan Technology News, Internet Day, Adcrafter Roster Edition, BigIdea Magazine, Internet Survival Guide, and has spoken at Internet World, glima, Automation Alley, State of the Net, Digital Detroit, Ann Arbor IT zone, ITEC, DMAD, and the Adcraft Club. Connect with Jeff Stanislow: Website: www.chiefinternetmarketer.com Twitter: @ChiefIntMkter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstanislow/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Terra Castro is a retired professional Ironman triathlete who moved back to Detroit to start over. Once an elite sports massage therapist, Terra used her love for MOVEMENT + COMMUNITY to create a #BEBOLDCREW that grew into a mobile endurance training & racing team (@beboldcrew) which grew into DETROIT BODY GARAGE: a community based gym in the heart of West Village. After 3 years, they are expanding a few blocks east to offer more for our neighborhood & city. Connect with Terra Castro: Website: https://www.detroitbodygarage.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroitbodygarage Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Ali has spent his career helping high growth startups scale by applying technology and process excellence to power great people to do great things. He started his career as a staff engineer and then product manager at Digital Island, a pioneering company during the dotcom boom of the late 1990s that built one of the most robust data networks in the world. He went on to co-found a real estate startup named SalesTeamLive in 2003, building a CRM application from scratch to support the pipeline development efforts of thousands of real estate investors around the United States. One of his clients was Doug Brien, and eventually, Ali joined Doug and Colin as the Chief Technology Officer of Waypoint Homes, where he was the architect of Waypoint's industry-leading technology platform that powered the purchase and management of over 17,000 homes across the U.S. Ali is passionate about business being an engine for positive social change, and fully embraces Mynd's mission to make a positive impact in the communities where we work. Besides working at Mynd, Ali is also an author, radio DJ, husband, and father of 3 kids in Berkeley, CA. Connect with Ali Nazar: Website: https://www.mynd.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinazar/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Cyd Crouse is Meditation Studio's Co-Founder, Head of Strategy and Product. Raised in rural Nebraska and a technologist by training, Cyd believes that bringing meditation to the masses can change the world. She has focused her career on working for companies that do good, including Whole Foods Market, Gaiam, Inc. and now, Meditation Studio. Cyd is committed to conscious commerce and strongly believes that the most sustainable way to do good is via ethical commerce. Connect with Cyd Crouse: Twitter: @cydcrouse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cydcrouse Website: https://www.meditationstudioapp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cydcrouse Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Brad Holcman is the Senior Director of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming at A&E Television Networks. He oversees the development and production of over 20 unscripted programs and specials currently, from conception and deal-making to pilot to production supervision and delivery. Holcman is a key contributor to overall unscripted programming strategy. Many people know Brad as the PELOTON sensation who can often be seen dancing and singing his way through the popular live-streamed fitness classes. His ultimate goal, aside from his own fitness, is to help motivate other riders to live their best life. Connect with Brad Holcman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradneedsabs/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-holcman-453807/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Christine Fox has always loved dogs. When she started her business almost 20 years ago, there was no such thing as a dog daycare center. Now, there are dog centers are on every corner. Her mission is to make a difference by reducing the amount of dogs who are given away or euthanized every year due to treatable and preventable reasons. She believes it takes more than a heart and a home when you bring home a dog. Connect with Christine Fox: Website: www.wagntails.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-fox-2b9a2a64 Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/christinefoxtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinefoxtv/ Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Website: http://jondwoskin.com/ Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Ryan LaFontaine's path after graduation was always clear – he wanted to work for his family's auto dealership group, which was established by his father, Michael Sr., and mother, Maureen, in 1984. By 2008, LaFontaine was named chief operating officer of the LaFontaine Automotive Group, which has since grown to encompass 39 franchises, 20 retail locations, a global vehicles division, a parts warehouse and five full-service collision centers, employing more than 1,300 individuals across Michigan. And he is a recognized industry leader, having served as president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and recently named chairman of the 2018 North American International Auto Show, the youngest chairman in the show's 111-year history. LaFontaine is also proud to guide the next generation of automotive industry leaders through the LaFontaine Automotive Internship Program, a 12-week immersive experience at his dealerships. And while LaFontaine's career has been meteoric, he suffered a setback in 2008 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. LaFontaine took that very difficult experience and turned it into something positive. He had heard about a 10-week nationwide fundraising challenge to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Even though he was fighting cancer and just had twin boys, LaFontaine and his sister, Kelley, decided to enter. "With family and friends at our side, we raised $228,000 for LLS, which was an all-time record," he said. For his efforts, he was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year in 2010. This successful fundraising effort propelled LaFontaine and his sister to go even further and create the U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation. The organization, which is run solely by volunteers so 100 percent of profits are donated to the cause, provides vital funding and support for local cancer research grants. Connect with Ryan LaFontaine: Twitter: @LaFontaineAuto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.lafontaine.5 Website: https://www.familydeal.com/ Website: https://ucancervive.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lafontaine-automotive-group