Self-Made Is A Myth - Make A Difference Together

Episode #147: Gerald Stanley - Imavex

Gerald Stanley was born and raised on a farm in north easter Indiana where he attended Eastbrook High School and Taylor University where he played football and received a degree in Computer Science. Gerald married his grade school sweetheart, Gretchen, whom he started "dating" in 7th grade. Gerald has 4 children, Grant (21), Grady (19), Gillian (16), and Gia (15)... the 'g' Family.
Gerald is currently the President of Imavex. He has spent the last 23 years as a serial entrepreneur starting or helping to start 12 different organizations including Imavex, Gideo, Inroads Analytics, VetSOAP, Orange Youth Baseball, One Orange Foundation, etc.. Professionally, Gerald enjoys building organizations and mentoring others in technology and business.
Personally, Gerald has coached high school football at Fishers High School and is currently the Assistant Regional Director of Orange Youth Baseball / USA Prime in Noblesville and is coaching a 14U travel baseball team.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #146: Scott Jarred - Invest

Scott Jarred's journey from poverty and welfare to becoming a beacon of financial freedom is truly inspiring. Born into a low-income family, he faced challenges of fear and scarcity but overcame adversity to achieve remarkable success.
What sets Scott apart is his commitment to changing lives beyond his own. As a two-time best-selling author and founder of Invst, he has directly contributed to the financial independence of over 2,500 households, with a vision to transform the financial futures of 1 million people.
Scott's work extends beyond his profession. He has developed real estate in opportunity zones, sat on charitable boards, and contributes time and money to impact his community.
Scott Jarred is not just a financial advisor; he's a life-changing agent whose mission is service to others over personal gain. His remarkable journey from fear to freedom, coupled with his unwavering dedication to empowering others, is an inspiration to everyone he touches.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #145: Michelle Colbert - Dental Assist LLC

Michelle Colbert is the sole proprietor of Dental Assist LLC, a dental staffing agency that she started from scratch in 2019. She lives in Carmel, Indiana with her husband of 20 years as of June 26, 2024. Michelle was born in Pennsylvania, raised for 15 years in West Virginia, and then spent 20 years in North Carolina before moving to Wisconsin for a year and eventually Indiana.
Michelle is the youngest of five and was taught to have a strong sense of work ethic, be reliable and responsible. She has spent many years in the dental profession beginning as a dental assistant as a senior in high school. Michelle took some time away from the dental profession in order to complete her bachelor's degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Management. She has since then maintained her Indiana Dental Radiology license and kept up with her certification for being a certified dental assistant. She has taught Dental Assisting in higher education as well as being the program director for dental assisting. She has been a financial coordinator and an office manager in a few dental practices before starting her own dental staffing agency.
Michelle's goal is to Bridge the Gap in Dental staffing. She helps offices in need of assistants and hygienists when an employee is out due to sickness, family emergency, maternity leave, or vacation. She has been able to help offices in need of permanent employees as well. Michelle's ultimate goal is provide professional staffing services with the cream of the crop employees to offices in need.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #144: Brandon Faust - Wayfinders

Brandon Faust is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and positive change. As the co-founder and Executive Director of Wayfinders, a non-profit dedicated to self-discovery, training, and incubating new nonprofits and ministries. Brandon is committed to helping individuals find their path to making a difference. He's also a co-founder and Partner at Switchback, an Indianapolis-based company focused on unlocking organizational potential and prioritizing people in our ever-evolving world.
Brandon has a Masters Degree in Leadership which has allowed him to serve as an adjunct professor and previously served in pastoral ministry for 15 years. He's played a pivotal role in establishing two co-working spaces in the Indianapolis area, demonstrating his dedication to creating collaborative environments.
Brandon's mission to empower everyday leaders and everyday disciples to discover their holistic life purpose and help unleash people on mission.
Brandon lives in Zionsville with his loving wife, Lisa, and their three wonderful children.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #143: Lorraine Ball - Digital Strategist

After spending too many years in Corporate America, Lorraine said goodbye to the bureaucracy, glass ceilings and bad coffee to follow her passion to help small business owners succeed
Today, this successful entrepreneur, author, and professional speaker, enjoys sharing what she knows about marketing in presentations to groups around the county, in college classrooms and in her weekly podcast More than a Few Words. She brings creative ideas, practical tips, and decades of real-world experience to every conversation. In her spare time, she loves to travel, and take photos.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #142: Sam Elsts - My Guy Services

Sam Elsts, a native of Brownsburg, Indiana, pursued his higher education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where he earned a degree from the Kelley School of Business with a major in Marketing and minors in Anthropology and International Studies.
While still in college, Sam embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 18, founding My Guy Services. His venture into pressure washing and exterior cleaning began with a simple Google search for "summer time hustles," quickly evolving into a thriving business that has now celebrated 12 years of success.
Throughout the past decade, Sam's entrepreneurial spirit has led him to establish multiple ventures. Notably, he achieved remarkable success with Indy Roof Rangers, which reached seven-figure revenue within its first two years and was subsequently sold.
Currently, Sam dedicates his efforts to his latest enterprise, Luna Contracting, which specializes in concrete, asphalt, and sealcoating services. Concurrently, he remains actively involved in the marketing and high-level networking endeavors of My Guy Services, while his wife, Cinthia, oversees its day-to-day operations.
Beyond his business ventures, Sam and Cinthia are proprietors of Luna Brands, a cigar company. Sam's entrepreneurial drive has been evident since childhood, when he launched his first business at the age of 8, selling ticket holders and earplugs at the race track.
With a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation, Sam continues to make significant contributions to the business landscape, embodying the essence of a serial entrepreneur.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #141: Jack Shepler - Ayokay

Jack Shepler is the founder of Ayokay, a marketing and web design agency located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its inception in 2011, Jack has led Ayokay with a commitment to not just building brands and boosting e-commerce sales but also supporting the vital work of public health and nonprofit organizations. His expertise in the digital arena is not only applied in his leadership but also shared with a broader audience through insightful posts on the Ayokay blog, aiming to demystify the complexities of digital marketing for businesses and organizations.
Recognized for his innovative contributions to the field, Jack was named to the Forbes Next 1000 in 2021, a testament to his and his team's dedication to excellence. Ayokay stands as a testament to Jack's vision of a marketing agency that does more than serve its clients; it also makes a positive impact on the community. With a focus on delivering practical, user-friendly, and impactful solutions, Jack has ensured that Ayokay caters to a diverse clientele, helping them navigate the challenges of the digital world successfully.
Under Jack's guidance, Ayokay has become more than a business; it's a crucial partner for organizations looking to make a significant difference through digital innovation.
Jack is married to his partner of 11 years, Benjamin Ochs, and resides in Indianapolis. He volunteers for the Damien Center board of directors, Indy Pride as its annual Festival Entertainment Director, and Entrepeneurs Organization, of which he recently joined the board as Marketing Director.
Jack has a long history in the music world, more recently DJing once a month at Greg's Our Place in downtown Indianapolis, as well as various other DJ gigs at festivals and corporate events.
In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and spending time outside playing golf or enjoying the pool.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #140: Brian Wheeler - Vertical Immersive

Brian Wheeler was born and raised in Kentucky, but has called Indiana his home since 2000. He is married to his wonderful wife Loree and have 6 kids together and 2 grandkids. Brian calls himself a Kingdom entrepreneur following his calling to steward multiple organizations in growth through Kingdom Culture and mindsets. This Kingdom ecosystem is developed around The Vertical Life brand with service companies ranging from wealth management to a cutting edge immersive learning environment called Vertical Immersive, a college alternative for aspiring Christian leaders. Brian firmly believes that we should do "everything unto the Lord" and holds that our work is truly another form of worship to joyfully serve the King of k
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #139: Steve Iskander - Intrepid Finance

Steve Iskander, the dynamic founder of Intrepid Finance, has redefined the landscape of nationwide financing. Leading Intrepid, a subsidiary of Masik Management Group, Steve focuses on providing seamless, non-dilutive growth capital to diverse businesses. He’s dedicated to making capital access simple and swift, fueling accelerated growth for enterprises at various stages.
Beyond Intrepid, Steve heads Masik Management Group, offering his expertise to companies navigating growth challenges.
With over 15 years in the equipment finance industry, Steve has managed a portfolio of over $500 million and contributed to a Berkshire Hathaway-owned leasing company. His entrepreneurial ventures, including DriverReach and ParcelInsights, showcase his innovative spirit, including ParcelInsights’ acquisition in 2021 by a New York-based equity firm highlights his strategic acumen.
A recognized industry voice, Steve has been featured in prominent publications like Inc Magazine, FleetOwner Magazine, and the Indiana Business Journal. He holds degrees from Indiana University Bloomington, Masters degrees from Ball State University and actively contributes to Ball State’s MBA Advisory Board.
Steve’s strength lies in driving growth, crafting long-term strategies, and enhancing operational efficiency, particularly in the supply chain and logistics sectors. He believes in the transformative power of effective leadership and strategic tools for business growth.
Outside of his professional life, Steve is a dedicated family man and an avid triathlete, having completed numerous IRONMAN races. His endurance in sports mirrors the resilience and determination he brings to his professional pursuits.
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #138: Mike Dickerson - Engage Financial Group

Mike Dickerson was born and raised in northwest Indiana. He went to Wabash College in which he Majored in Economics, with a Minor in History. While at Wabash, he met Rebecca. They have now been married for over 17 yrs and have two children.
Mike started in financial planning in May of 2000 with a firm named Diversified Financial Concepts and then went completely independent in 2007. Mike has grown mostly through referrals during that time. While running Engage Financial Group, Mike has continued to add additional educational credentials to make sure he is constantly doing what is best for his clients and staying up on the industry changes. Mike is currently working with about 350 families and businesses on their financial goals.
With Engage Financial Group, Mike and his team help people plan for their most important goals, like making sure they have enough money for the 30-40 yr vacation of retirement, improving their children's education, and optimizing where money should be to make it work harder for you and avoid taxes. At the same time, they help businesses improve retirement offerings and thus employee satisfaction and retention.
In Mike's free time, he enjoys martial arts and helping coach soccer and basketball for his kids.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com