Karen Cantello O'Kane is an experienced event management designer with 14 years of expertise in corporate event planning. Her career includes a 6-year tenure at Chick-fil-A, where she created "The Serve Tour" and later "Passport to Serve," earning a $200K grant for an event partner during the pandemic. At KPMG LLP, she managed a team that organized over 200 events annually, including their acclaimed presence at the U.S. SAP Sapphire Conference, which was adopted globally.

Kayanna Clark-Downen is a live caricature artist and founder of Kay’s Caricatures. Based in Belleville, IL, she brings events to life with fun, fast, and memorable sketches.

Shawn Foppe is the owner of Shawn Foppe Appraisal, a trusted name in real estate valuation across the St. Louis and Central Illinois regions. With years of experience in residential and commercial property appraisals, Shawn brings deep industry knowledge, a strong commitment to accuracy, and a reputation for professionalism. In this episode, he shares insights into the appraisal process, what property owners should know about valuations, and how the real estate market is evolving.

Robyne Martin is the founder and owner of CHC Brokers, where she brings over two decades of experience in financial services and insurance to help individuals and families make confident, informed decisions. A licensed independent broker since 2017, Robyne specializes in life and health insurance—guiding clients through the often-confusing terrain of individual and small group health plans, Medicare options, and specialty coverages like behavioral health and travel insurance.

Robyne’s work doesn’t stop at healthcare. As an Advanced Certified College Advisor with College Funding Solutions, she helps students and their families plan for one of life’s biggest investments: education. Drawing from her own upbringing in a family of educators, Robyne is passionate about making college more accessible and affordable through smart, strategic planning.

Whether you’re navigating your first health plan, preparing for Medicare, or trying to send a child to college without breaking the bank, Robyne Martin brings clarity, compassion, and customized solutions to every conversation.

Dawon Stokes is the owner and founder of Water Heater Repair St. Louis, a trusted service provider specializing in fast, affordable, and expert water heater solutions across the St. Louis metro area. With over a decade of hands-on experience in plumbing and residential water systems, Dawon has built his company on a foundation of reliability, customer satisfaction, and technical excellence.

Ryan Goldman is a husband and father of three boys. He co-founded CEO Sidekicks with his wife, Stephane, is the Vice President of Sales for Clae Solutions, owns Apex Marketing Group, and founded the Street Leadership Channel.

James Grayson is the owner and driving force behind Plumbing Innovations, a locally owned and operated plumbing company in St. Louis, MO. With over a decade of experience in the industry, James has built a reputation for expert craftsmanship, innovative solutions, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Under his leadership, Plumbing Innovations has become known for efficient problem-solving, and dedication to excellence in both residential and commercial plumbing. James is passionate about not only providing top-quality plumbing services but also about mentoring the next generation of skilled tradespeople and making a positive impact in the community.