George Foreman, Olympic gold medalist, two time World Heavyweight Champion, marketing genius and entrepreneur extraordinaire. He made over $150 million from sales of his ‘Knock-Out-The-Fat’ grills. Over 80 million have been sold; that’s almost one for every US household. His portfolio of ventures also includes Knock-Out cleaners, Walk It Off With George exercise videos, Comfort Zone clothing line, shoes, watches and several best selling books. One of nine children, he grew up in poverty in a house that didn’t even have electricity. Despite his challenges, he fought his way to the top. BusinessWeek has dubbed him ‘Marketing Champ of the World.’ He is the American dream personified. Stay tuned to hear his inspiring words. (more…)

Today my guest is George Foreman, Olympic gold medalist, two time World Heavyweight Champion, marketing genius and entrepreneur extraordinaire. He made over $150 million from sales of his ?¢‚ǨÀúknock out the fat?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ grills. Over 80 million have been sold; that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s almost one for every US household. His portfolio of ventures also includes Knock-Out cleaners, Walk It Off With George exercise videos, Comfort Zone clothing line, shoes, watches and several best selling books. One of nine children, he grew up in poverty in a house that didn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t even have electricity. Despite his challenges, he fought his way to the top. BusinessWeek has dubbed him ?¢‚ǨÀúMarketing Champ of the World.?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ He is the American dream personified. Stay tuned to hear his inspiring words.

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 How the George Foreman Grill was born and stole his identity [1:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 George Foreman's advice for entrepreneurs [0:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Full Interview with George Foreman [8:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is one of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories of all time. Prior to takeoff of their first commercial flight, they spent three and half years in legal battles defending their right to fly. Two battles went all the way to the United States Supreme Court which ultimately upheld Southwest’s right to fly. The date of the Supreme Court decision, December 7, 1970, is considered by many to be the beginning of deregulation in the airline industry. Southwest has grown into the largest US airline in terms of passengers flown, and yet since 1987 they have maintained the fewest overall customer complaints of any domestic airline and the lowest operating cost structure in the industry. They have been profitable for 33 consecutive years, in an industry where no other company has been profitable for even five consecutive years. Over the past 10 years, shareholder returns have been more than double the S&P 500, and their market cap is larger than the combined market cap of the next three largest airlines — American, United and Delta. Nearly every US competitor has tried to emulate their pioneering business model. Fortune has called Herb Kelleher perhaps the best CEO in America, and among all corporations in the United States, the magazine lists Southwest Airlines as the third most admired. Download the mp3 to hear how it came to be that you are now free to move about the country.

Southwest Airlines is one of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories of all time. Prior to takeoff of their first commercial flight, they spent three and half years in legal battles defending their right to fly. Two battles went all the way to the United States Supreme Court which ultimately upheld Southwest?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s right to fly. The date of the Supreme Court decision, December 7, 1970, is considered by many to be the beginning of deregulation in the airline industry. Southwest has grown into the largest US airline in terms of passengers flown, and yet since 1987 they have maintained the fewest overall customer complaints of any domestic airline and the lowest operating cost structure in the industry. They have been profitable for 33 consecutive years, in an industry where no other company has been profitable for even five consecutive years. Over the past 10 years, shareholder returns have been more than double the S&P 500, and their market cap is larger than the combined market cap of the next three largest airlines — American, United and Delta. Nearly every US competitor has tried to emulate their pioneering business model. Fortune has called Herb Kelleher perhaps the best CEO in America, and among all corporations in the United States, the magazine lists Southwest Airlines as the third most admired. Download the mp3 to hear how it came to be that you are now free to move about the country.

 The philosophical issue that kept Herb fighting four year legal battle for Southwest Airlines' survival and how that shaped the company. [2:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Herb kelleher's rule of thumb for raising funding for a startup [0:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Childhood influences that shaped Herb Kelleher's character, leadership ability, ethics and vison. [3:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 How Herb Kelleher got the idea to start Southwest Airlines and fought four year legal battle for the right to fly [5:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Complete interview with Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher [27:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Susie Tompkins Buell is one of the most successful women entrepreneurs of all time. She co-founded Esprit (ESHB), which grew into one of the most recognized global brands with over $800 million in annual sales. From the beginning, Esprit was known for its revolutionary fusion of corporate mission with social responsibility. Gloria Steinem and Earth First! spoke at their corporate functions, employees were given ten hours off each month for volunteer work ?¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? that translates into three weeks each year, more than many employees get for vacation time. Despite criticism, they were an early sponsor of the AIDS Walk. The Esprit Foundation was created in 1990 to support at-risk youth, AIDS awareness, women?¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?묢s issues and the environment. It has since been renamed the Susie Tompkins Buell Foundation but continues to carry the original spirit of innovation and social responsibility by focusing on empowering, educating and promoting leadership among women. Listen in for a glimpse into the mind of this extraordinary woman.

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Susie Tompkins Buell is one of the most successful women entrepreneurs of all time. She co-founded Esprit, which grew into one of the most recognized global brands with over $800 million in annual sales. From the beginning, Esprit was known for its revolutionary fusion of corporate mission with social responsibility. Gloria Steinem and Earth First! spoke at their corporate functions, employees were given ten hours off each month for volunteer work ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that translates into three weeks each year, more than many employees get for vacation time. Despite criticism, they were an early sponsor of the AIDS Walk. The Esprit Foundation was created in 1990 to support at-risk youth, AIDS awareness, women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s issues and the environment. It has since been renamed the Susie Tompkins Buell Foundation but continues to carry the original spirit of innovation and social responsibility by focusing on empowering, educating and promoting leadership among women. Listen in for a glimpse into the mind of this extraordinary woman.

 Susie Tompkins Buell's advice for entrepreneurs [2:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 How Susie Tompkins Buell got the idea to start Esprit [3:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Focus on socially responsible business [1:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The importance of allowing entrepreneurs to be flexible and creative [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Full interview with Esprit founder Susie Tompkins Buell [23:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jens Molbak is the founder of Coinstar (CSTR), the self-service coin counting machines you see in your local supermarket. Coinstar processes more coins each year than the US Mint produces. When Coinstar installed their pilot kiosks in Los Angeles, they so significantly impacted the velocity of money flowing through the hands of consumers, the Federal Reserve called them up to find out what they were doing. Prior to launching, Jens surveyed over 1500 people as they exited local supermarkets. From his research, he estimated US households were sitting on $8 billion in loose change. The market opportunity was enormous, but Jens was equally motivated to prove that public, private and non-profit benefits can exist in one organization. Download the mp3 to hear how he did it.

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Today my guest is Jens Molbak, the founder of Coinstar, the self-service coin counting machines you see in your local supermarket. Coinstar processes more coins each year than the US Mint produces. When Coinstar installed their pilot kiosks in Los Angeles, they so significantly impacted the velocity of money flowing through the hands of consumers, the Federal Reserve called them up to find out what they were doing. Prior to launching, Jens surveyed over 1500 people as they exited local supermarkets. From his research, he estimated US households were sitting on $8 billion in loose change. The market opportunity was enormous, but Jens was equally motivated to prove that public, private and non-profit benefits can exist in one organization. Download the mp3 to hear how he did it.

(more…)

 Hear what motivated Jens Molbak to start Coinstar and his desire to prove that public, private and non-profit benefits could exist in one organization [2:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Why the Fed called Coinstar when they launched their pilot kiosks and the impact it had on the US money supply [1:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Jens Molbak's advice for entrepreneurs [2:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 How Jens went from having a great idea to starting a great company [3:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Full interview with Coinstar founder Jens Molbak [25:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download