BizWiz Podcast

The Biz Wiz podcast is a short interview-based show that shares the raw lessons of an entrepreneurial journey along with other seasoned entrepreneurs, business consultants, and coaches. Your host Dan Hollis, provides valuable insights to today's entrepreneurs as it relates to starting, growing, and scaling a business. Marketing, sales, systems, operations, processes are all on the agenda. Get set for short format interviews brought to you in an entertaining, conversational and authentic way. Be a BizWiz, by listening to BizWiz. Produced by TurnkeyPodcast Productions.

BizWiz Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 105 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts BizWiz Podcast, a business show with 105 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #23

  Danni Fernino Balis: The Founder Mindset Behind Growing Brands

  Sep 24, 202628 minS1

  Building consumer brands requires more than a strong product. In this all-new BizWiz episode, host Laura Cohn talks with Danni Fernino Balis about moving from consulting into operations, partnerships, and brand ownership. The conversation explores how to evaluate market potential, understand customers, build strong partnerships, and stay focused through the demands of entrepreneurship. In this episode, Laura and Danni Fernino Balis discuss: Turning consulting time into equity and eventually brand ownership Using the “pour gasoline on a fire” test to accelerate existing momentum Why assuming you’re your own customer can be an expensive mistake Recognizing a “blessed partnership” through alignment and synergy Key Takeaways: Trading time for equity can create a path from service-based work into business ownership, deeper involvement, and long-term partnerships. Strong brands need a distinct point of view, a passionate founder, and a clear path toward meaningful market potential beyond current sales. Direct consumer connections can reveal what customers want and help prevent businesses from building products around their own personal assumptions. Business partnerships require long-term compatibility, alignment, and synergy because the relationship shapes how people work together on a daily basis. "You don't want to make yourself small; you want to make yourself thin, meaning like less rigid, quicker. " — Danni Fernino Balis   About Danni Fernino Balis: Danniele Fernino Balis is a Nashville-based multi-brand entrepreneur behind consumer beauty and wellness brands including SubLuna, JoyWell, and Sun & Moo. She oversees more than $3 million in annual business, with products sold through retailers including Erewhon, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Live Healthillie. She began her career in service-based consulting, eventually moving from consultant to operator and brand owner. Today, she brings hands-on experience across entrepreneurship, consumer brands, ecommerce, retail, partnerships, and operations. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Danni Fernino Balis: SubLuna: https://shopsubluna.com/ Sun & Moo: https://sunandmoo.com/ Visions From Neptune: https://www.visionsfromneptune.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsubluna/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsubluna Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions . You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #22

  Scott Martindale: Building a Career Through Change and Opportunity

  Sep 17, 202630 minS1

  What happens when an unexpected career turn leads to an entirely new path?  In this all-new BizWiz episode, host Laura Cohn speaks with Scott Martindale about his transition from engineering at Chevron to investment research and eventually becoming CEO of Sabrient Systems. Scott shares lessons on navigating setbacks, spotting opportunities, creating value, and using AI in investment research. In this episode, Laura and Scott Martindale discuss: Turning career changes into new opportunities through existing skills Lessons early-stage companies can learn from challenges and false starts The role of an entrepreneurial mindset and personal brand in career growth Technology and AI’s impact on investment research and decision-making Key Takeaways: Scott moved from engineering into investment work through consulting, writing, trading, and joining a startup without immediately taking on the risks of starting a business. Sabrient found a major growth opportunity after years of false starts by launching the Baker’s Dozen during the 2009 market downturn, eventually attracting First Trust Portfolios. An entrepreneurial mindset means focusing on high-potential projects, responding to customer needs, avoiding unnecessary rabbit holes, and creating value by advocating for your ideas. Adaptability, communication, and the ability to create and scale value matter across careers, while AI can accelerate research and synthesis when its output is carefully reviewed. "As a company, you want to be resilient when things turn south. And as an individual, you want to make yourself indispensable, and learn to advocate for yourself and your ideas. " — Scott Martindale   About Scott Martindale: Scott Martindale is the CEO of Sabrient Systems, where he leads strategy, product development, institutional sales, business development, client relations, and portfolio management. He began his career as a structural design engineer with Chevron Corp, later moving into engineering, analysis, and management roles. Scott holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, an MBA from California State University East Bay, and a Series 65 license. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Scott Martindale:   Website: https://MoonRocksToPowerStocks.com & https://www.sabrientsystems.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmartindale Book: Moon Rocks to Power Stocks: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Rocks-Power-Stocks-Scientist-ebook/dp/B0FLSQ67X3 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabrientsystems Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martindale_scott Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions . You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #21

  Bob Campana: What Happens When You Build Businesses Around Human Connection

  Oct 30, 202558 minS1

  About Bob Campana: Bob Campana is a lifelong entrepreneur whose career spans five decades and industries as varied as construction, real estate, hospitality, and global travel. From building one of California’s top swimming pool companies to creating the award-winning Redwood Café, his ventures reflect a deep belief that business is ultimately about people, purpose, and perseverance. The author of Don’t Look Down! shares hard-won lessons on risk, reinvention, and resilience drawn from a lifetime of turning challenges into opportunities. When he’s not advising founders or leading small-group travel experiences around the world, he’s still doing what he’s always done—building connections that last. In this episode, Dan and Bob Campana discuss: Overcoming fear and adversity through bold decision-making and resilience The importance of empathy and authentic human connection in business and life Lessons learned from decades of entrepreneurship across multiple industries Finding meaning, legacy, and purpose through storytelling and shared experiences Key Takeaways: Shift your sales approach from price and product to purpose and emotion by discovering what truly motivates your customers—often their desire to create lasting memories—and build your entire pitch and experience around helping them achieve that dream. Lead through presence, gratitude, and genuine curiosity by walking the floor, engaging directly with your team and customers, and creating a culture where appreciation, personal acknowledgment, and human warmth drive both loyalty and performance. Transform setbacks into stepping stones by viewing every failure, crisis, or unexpected turn—whether it’s a business challenge or a life-threatening accident—as an opportunity to learn, connect deeper with others, and build a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. Adopt the “rocking chair test” before making big decisions—imagine yourself at the end of your life asking, “Will I regret not doing this?”—and let that clarity push you to take bold, informed action rather than letting fear dictate your path.  "Empathy, the big thing is understanding everybody has a story, everybody has an individual life, and respecting that... enriches your life more. " — Bob Campana Connect with Bob Campana:   Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ Book: Don’t Look Down!: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Look-Down-Battle-Tested-Entrepreneur/dp/B0F9H1YGTT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GetBack2Workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: Danch68@outlook.com Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions . You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #20

  Debra Clary: Unlocking Performance Through the Curiosity Mindset

  Oct 23, 202536 minS1

  About Debra Clary: Dr. Debra Clary is a leadership strategist, curiosity researcher, and author of The Curiosity Curve (Fast Company Press, October 2025). With more than three decades of executive experience at Fortune 50 companies, including Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana, she now helps leaders harness curiosity as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and engagement. A sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach, Dr. Clary is known for translating neuroscience and real-world experience into practical frameworks that transform culture and performance. She has delivered a TEDx talk viewed by over 225,000 people, was named one of the Top 10 Speakers to Watch in 2025, and continues to inspire audiences worldwide through her company, The Clary Group. In this episode, Dan and Debra Clary discuss: Curiosity as a catalyst for stronger leadership and organizational transformation Developing environments that nurture curiosity and psychological safety Shifting leadership mindsets from having answers to asking better questions Turning curiosity into a measurable and repeatable driver of performance and innovation Key Takeaways: Research confirmed that when leaders consistently model and reward curiosity, their teams mirror that behavior—resulting in measurable gains in engagement, job satisfaction, and overall performance. Neuroscience shows curiosity isn’t a personality trait but a state influenced by environment, meaning organizations can deliberately cultivate it by encouraging inquiry and rewarding experimentation. Executives who view curiosity not as a luxury but as a strategic advantage are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and maintain competitive momentum in rapidly changing markets. Establishing a culture where people feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and offer ideas empowers teams to move from compliance to creativity and unlocks the full potential of collective intelligence.  "Curiosity is contagious; when you’re around curious people, your curiosity level will increase at the rate that theirs is. " — Debra Clary Connect with Debra Clary:   Website: https://debraclary.com/ Book: The Curiosity Curve: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-Curve-Leaders-Transformation-Questions/dp/1639081380/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdebraclary/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: Danch68@outlook.com Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions . You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #19

  W. David Prescott: How ESG and Energy Policy Shape the Next Century

  Sep 18, 202546 minS1

  About W. David Prescott: W. David Prescott is a seasoned geologist and environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience. He has led numerous projects across the U.S., balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth, and is recognized for his work in groundwater protection and contaminated site remediation. Prescott advocates for market-driven solutions to sustainability, combining his expertise with leadership roles on community and state boards to influence policies promoting both ecological health and economic prosperity. In this episode, Dan and W. David discuss: ESG mandates and their expanding influence on financial markets and corporate behavior America’s struggle to maintain energy independence while pursuing environmental goals The global race for energy dominance and its link to technological and geopolitical power Capitalism’s resilience and innovation as forces shaping future prosperity Key Takeaways: ESG pressures have caused capital markets to dry up for oil and gas operators, leaving even profitable and well-managed businesses unable to secure investment, which erodes U.S. energy independence and destabilizes entire regional economies. Eliminating natural gas from fertilizer production would devastate agriculture by cutting yields of staple crops like corn and wheat by 60%, driving food prices sky-high, and threatening both national food security and global supply chains. When investors and pension funds prioritize ESG mandates over fiduciary responsibility, they risk poor returns and massive financial losses that can derail individual retirements and undermine the stability of billions in pension assets. While China and India rapidly expand coal, nuclear, and refining capacity to fuel AI and industrial growth, the U.S. is retreating from dense energy production, a strategic misstep that could result in decades of lost economic power and global influence.  "There has to be a liaison between the natural environment and industry. We have to have jobs, we have to have energy to have the life that we have, and we want to continue to have, but we can do it responsibly. " — W. David Prescott Connect with W. David Prescott:   Website: https://creativedestruction.gr-site.com/ Email: dprescott@talonlpe.com Book: Creative Destruction: How ESG Mandates Are Destroying Capitalism, Costing You Money, and Wrecking America: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Destruction-Mandates-Destroying-Capitalism/dp/B0D64WSNP9 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-david-prescott-p-g-b1600714/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: Danch68@outlook.com Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions . You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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