Early Life and the Making of a Leader with James W. Keyes

Today’s conversation features James W. Keyes an American business leader, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and philanthropist who has led two iconic Fortune 500 companies.

Born in Grafton, Massachusetts, Jim’s journey is one of resilience and determination. Raised in humble beginnings without indoor plumbing, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

He served as CEO of 7-Eleven, where he drove remarkable growth and global expansion, and later as Chairman and CEO of Blockbuster, leading the company through a pivotal time of digital transformation.

Beyond business, Jim is deeply committed to education and opportunity. He is the founder of the Education Is Freedom Foundation and author of Education Is Freedom, championing the power of learning to transform lives.

In this episode, we explore his early life, the experiences that shaped his leadership, and the values that continue to guide his journey.

Connect with Jim:
LinkedIn: James W. Keyes

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In this episode, I sit down with Ronke Odewumi — a Chartered Management Accountant, Personal Finance Coach, and founder of The Wealth Builder’s Network about Money, Meaning & Purpose

With two decades of experience spanning global organisations, she combines deep financial expertise with relatable coaching to help people master their money and build lasting wealth.
Through her platform, Ronke has grown an audience of over 100,000 engaged followers worldwide, particularly among African and diaspora professionals, where she is known for her warm, practical approach to personal finance.
She has coached thousands through webinars, courses, and one-to-one sessions, empowering them to budget effectively, invest confidently, and take control of their financial futures.

She is also the creator of Clarity, an AI-powered personal finance product, alongside popular tools like her budgeting and investing resources.

Passionate about financial empowerment, Ronke makes wealth building simple, practical, and achievable for professionals and families alike.
Ronke shares her personal finance knowledge through her website, YouTube channel, and social media accounts.

Connect with Ronke:
Website: www.ronkeodewumi.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/ronkeodewumi
Instagram: @ronkeodewumi
Twitter: @ronkeodewumi
Tiktok: @ronkeodewumi
Email: ronke@ronkeodewumi.com

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EPISODE 10

This week on the podcast, I’m honoured to be joined by Cody Gapare—a multi-award-winning inventor, Managing Director, and breast cancer survivor whose story is nothing short of extraordinary.

Cody is the creator of C-Lash, the world’s first false eyelashes designed specifically for cancer and alopecia sufferers. Launched in collaboration with Eylure during her own battle with breast cancer, C-Lash has gone on to revolutionise the beauty industry and is now available in over eight countries worldwide. Her work has been recognised across major platforms including the BBC, Vogue, This Morning, and Elle USA.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Cody is a certified ATEX technician, TEDx speaker, former lecturer, and a mentor for the government-backed Help to Grow programmesupporting SMEs while championing innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode, we dive into her journey, her mission, and the powerful movement she’s building through C-Lash.
This is a conversation about courage, creativity, and purpose—one you don’t want to miss. Connect with Cody & C-Lash:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-gapare-cmgr-mcmi-mba-a37096a2/
Website: https://ladder13.co.uk/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.lashbycody/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codilia.gapare

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