In this inspiring episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with Dr. Michael Remson, President and CEO of KeyNote, home of the San Diego Youth Symphony, located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. Michael shares his powerful journey from growing up in musical theater in New York City to becoming a nationally respected nonprofit arts leader. He dives into how music shaped his life from a young age, how early access to arts education builds future-ready skills in children, and why cradle-to-college programming is the future of inclusive arts access. He also opens up about the challenges of managing 80+ staff, recruiting talent in an expensive city, and the delicate balance between passion and business in nonprofit leadership.

Themes:

• The transformational power of music in childhood
• Nonprofit innovation and leadership in arts education
• Building programs with real, measurable community impact
• Challenges of staffing, HR, and sustainability in high-cost urban areas
• Rebranding and restructuring to create lasting organizational clarity

Flow & Structure:

1. Michael’s artistic roots and personal journey into music
2. Transition from composer to nonprofit leader (AFA in Houston)
3. Founding and scaling cradle-to-college programming at KeyNote
4. Detailed overview of early childhood programs (Chimes, Music Discovery)
5. HR philosophy and challenges (hiring for heart and skill)
6. Vision for community outreach and equity in arts access
7. Leadership insights, rebranding to unify mission and identity
8. Final reflections on what it takes to succeed in business and nonprofit leadership

"I’ve seen okay musicians who are amazing teachers—and great musicians who aren’t. Teaching is its own calling." – Michael Remson

"If we’re just sitting in Balboa Park waiting for people to come to us, we’re not doing our job as a modern arts organization."

"It's always about the kids. The day I forget that is the day I need to get out of this work."

"Passion and business sometimes run into each other—and managing that tension is one of the biggest challenges in nonprofit leadership."

"We needed a central rallying cry. That’s why we became KeyNote—because the mission had to be clear to families and the community."

"You can't ask someone to go somewhere you’ve never been. That’s why my team knows I’ve been in their shoes."

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Shay Wheat, Certified Event Producer™ and CEO of Grace & Ease Productions. Shay shares her powerful journey from managing apartments and doing network marketing to producing multi-million dollar events for powerhouse names like Dr. Oz and Lisa Nichols.

We dive into how events became her ultimate business-building tool, how she pivoted to virtual when the world shut down, and what it really means to lead a business with grace and ease. Shay opens up about the backstage chaos that taught her the importance of building a team, as well as the strategies behind events that truly convert — not just inspire.

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your impact through live or virtual experiences, this episode is a goldmine.

• How Shay stumbled into event production — and landed her first gig through a chance conversation
• Working on Dr. Oz’s nonprofit event and Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference
• Why the most successful events are reverse-engineered from the end goal
• The pivotal moment she transitioned from “planner” to Certified Event Producer and strategist
• The “authority illusion” — and how expertise alone isn’t enough to convert
• Pivoting to virtual during COVID (including nearly 600 attendees cancelled days before)
• How to recreate emotional, sensory, and communal experiences virtually
• Importance of intention for both host and attendees
• The role of energetics, healing, and intuition in Shay’s business
• Her breaking point — crawling on the floor in heels during a virtual event mishap — and the wake-up call to scale smarter
• Why entrepreneurs shouldn’t white-knuckle their businesses

“We’re not meant to do life alone, and we’re not meant to do business alone.”

“Events are a bridge. They're the fastest way I know to build trust, connection, and transformation — if you do them with intention.”

“I wasn’t going to keep building a business that required me to sacrifice my well-being to serve someone else’s mission.”

“The audience had no clue, but I was literally crawling on the floor in a dress, unplugging tech at my client’s feet. That was my wake-up call.”

“Being an expert isn’t enough. If you don’t have strategy, team, and conversion systems, your business can bleed out — even if you're the most respected voice in the room.”

“Virtual events are like movies. They need a story, an experience, and a journey that keeps people coming back for more.”

What does it take to be a business owner?

“You can be the most respected voice in the room and still watch your business bleed out. It takes strategy, support, and community. We’re not meant to do this alone — and we shouldn’t have to.”

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Miguel Adao, CEO of Voler Systems, to explore what it means to be a truly global leader. With a career that’s taken him across eight countries, five languages, and leadership roles at Pepsi, HP, VMware, and more, Miguel shares how cultural intelligence has shaped his leadership philosophy and career path.

Now based in Sunnyvale, California, Miguel leads Voler Systems with a unique mix of engineering expertise, marketing savvy, and global perspective. He dives into the lessons he’s learned working with teams across the world, how to build trust across time zones, and the human side of scaling a tech company.

Whether you’re growing a startup or managing a team that spans continents, this conversation is full of takeaways on connection, adaptability, and leadership without borders.

• Cultural adaptability is a leadership superpower. Living and working in diverse environments taught Miguel to listen first, communicate clearly, and lead with empathy.
• Leadership doesn’t look the same everywhere. Miguel explains how expectations vary — and why self-awareness and flexibility are crucial.
• Language matters — but so does intent. Speaking five languages has helped Miguel connect, but he says tone and body language often speak louder than words.
• Trust is built differently across cultures. From hierarchical to collaborative dynamics, Miguel shares how to tune in and meet teams where they are.
• Leading a tech company today requires a mix of global awareness, humility, and curiosity.

“You don’t lead the same way in Tokyo as you do in Toronto — and that’s not a challenge, that’s the gift of global leadership.”

“Language gets you in the door. But listening gets you the trust.”

“Every country I’ve lived in has taught me something about patience, people, and the pace of business.”

“Leadership without borders is about being comfortable with what you don’t know — and hungry to learn it.”

“What does it take to be a business owner? Resilience, curiosity, and the ability to take the hit and keep going. Every. Single. Day.”

• Global leadership
• Cross-cultural business
• Tech leadership
• CEO interviews
• Startup growth
• International business
• Business communication
• Voler Systems
• Silicon Valley CEOs
• Engineering innovation

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie sits down with Bryce North, founder and CEO of Don’t Be A Little Pitch, a bold media and branding company headquartered in Manila, with global reach. Bryce shares how he went from startup founder to media magnet — landing deals on Dragons’ Den, scaling companies across 40+ countries, and raising over $600K through crowdfunding — all by mastering the power of storytelling and PR.

The episode dives into the tactical side of visibility — how to create media-worthy stories, build credibility from scratch, and stand out in a noisy startup world. Bryce unpacks how a sharp brand voice, smart PR moves, and relentless storytelling helped him build a movement, not just a company.

Whether you're an early-stage founder or scaling your business, this episode offers actionable insights on how to grab attention and keep it.

• Storytelling is the strategy
• Bryce emphasizes that PR isn’t luck — it’s layered storytelling. Every pitch, every interview, and every campaign should reinforce your core message.
• Brand boldness builds trust
• The unapologetic name Don’t Be A Little Pitch isn’t just about being edgy — it’s about cutting through noise and showing people you mean business.
• Media success starts with clarity
• “If you can’t explain what you do in a tweet, you’re not ready to pitch it to the press,” Bryce shares.
• DIY PR still works — if done right
• Founders don’t need a giant budget to get featured. Bryce explains how personalized outreach, timing, and relevance can land press — even for early-stage companies.
• Dragons’ Den was a launchpad, not the end goal
• The offers were great, but Bryce shares that the real win came from the exposure — and how he leveraged it to build long-term brand equity.

“If you’re not telling your story, someone else is — and they probably won’t get it right.” – Bryce North

“The media doesn’t care about your product — they care about your why.”

“Your brand should feel like a gut punch — that’s how you know it’s working.”

“You don’t need a PR agency — you need a plan and a pulse on what’s newsworthy.”

“To be a business owner, you’ve gotta be obsessed with the problem, not just the solution.” (from the signature question)

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes Jamie sits down with Daniel Woodroffe, the visionary behind dwg., a landscape architecture firm based in Austin, Texas (and now London) that's on a mission to reshape urban environments through art, ecology, and purpose-driven design.

Daniel shares his journey from growing up in England to launching a globally respected firm that transforms overlooked and often toxic urban sites into vibrant, biodiverse public spaces. He opens up about the challenges of leading a creative business, the battles fought to get meaningful projects like Springdale Green off the ground, and why landscape is never just the leftover space between buildings.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever tried to do work that matters, especially when it means pushing back against the status quo.

🌿 On the vision behind dwg.:

“I didn’t just want to make beautiful spaces. I wanted to make spaces that give back—spaces that heal.”

• Daniel launched dwg. with the goal of creating landscapes that are functional, resilient, and inspiring—not just decorative.
• His firm specializes in “performative landscapes”—spaces that actively restore ecosystems and foster human connection.

🛠️ On building bold projects like Springdale Green:

“We took a brownfield that no one wanted and turned it into a living, breathing campus full of life and diversity.”

• The transformation of Springdale Green is a powerful case study in how design can address environmental damage and bring communities together.
• Daniel explains how ecological restoration, art, and infrastructure must work in harmony to achieve meaningful change.

🧠 On creativity + business:

“Running a design firm means holding the vision and the budget at the same time—and not letting either drop.”

• He talks about the balancing act of being both an artist and a business owner, especially in a field that’s often undervalued.
• Hiring, mentorship, and firm culture are just as important to the work as the drawings and designs.

🌍 On global perspective:

“Working in London and Austin has shown me that cities may look different, but people want the same thing: places that feel alive.”

• His international experience gives him a unique lens on urban placemaking and what it takes to get bold ideas approved and built across different systems.

💬 Signature Question – What It Takes to Be a Business Owner:

“No one tells you how personal it gets. You’re not just building a business—you’re building a belief system, a culture, a place people trust.”

• Daniel closes with heartfelt insight into the emotional and mental resilience required to run a values-driven company.
• He emphasizes consistency, courage, and staying deeply connected to your why—especially when the stakes are high.

• “Landscape is not an afterthought—it’s the first line of impact, the first opportunity for change.”
• “If you want to create something beautiful, expect resistance. Beauty—real, meaningful beauty—takes work.”
• “The city is our canvas, but nature is our collaborator.”
• “There’s a grit behind every green space. It’s invisible to most people—but it’s everything.”

In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, Jamie sits down with Claude Burns, Founder and CEO of Office Libations, to unpack his journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to building one of the fastest-growing companies in workplace hospitality. Claude shares how the lessons learned aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and his experience with elite Navy teams shaped his leadership style and business values. From launching craft beer ventures to pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic, Claude opens up about the ups, downs, and smart pivots that led Office Libations to the INC 5000 list three years in a row.

Listeners will gain insight into how workplace culture can be built bite by bite, why thoughtful service wins, and what it truly takes to build a business with heart, resilience, and strategy.

Themes:

• Military-to-entrepreneur transition
• Mission-driven leadership
• Workplace culture & employee experience
• Growth through customer-centric service
• Startup pivots during pandemic recovery

Key Milestones Covered:

• Service in the Navy and role at SEAL training center
• Founding of Noble Brewer and Ale Tales
• Launch and evolution of Office Libations
• COVID-era adaptations and remote work challenges
• National expansion to Austin and Denver
• Claude’s involvement with veteran entrepreneurs via Bunker Labs

Insights & Lessons:

• Leadership is about discipline, empathy, and clarity — learned first in the military
• Culture doesn’t just happen; it’s designed
• Growth requires relentless focus on both the people you serve and the people you work with
• Transitioning between sectors is tough but rewarding — especially with a service mindset
• Building a strong team culture internally reflects in customer experience externally

“I went from briefing admirals on military operations to figuring out how many LaCroix cases an office needed. Leadership doesn’t change — just the setting does.”

“Culture is in the small things — the coffee that’s waiting, the snack that feels personal. That’s what makes people feel cared for.”

“The military taught me that mission comes first — but taking care of your people makes the mission possible.”

“When COVID hit, it was like someone pulled the plug on our industry. But we didn’t fold — we adapted. That’s what entrepreneurship is.”

“You don’t grow just by selling more — you grow by serving better.”

“Being a business owner is like being on a ship in rough seas. You don’t control the storm, but you do control how your crew moves through it.”

In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Ryan Teicher, CEO of REDCOM Design & Construction, to explore the unique path he’s taken across family business, corporate leadership, and now steering a legacy company into a more sustainable and scalable future. With over 25 years of experience in the construction and real estate world, Ryan shares candid insights into what it takes to lead with humility, balance innovation with tradition, and earn trust while driving change.

From sweeping floors on job sites in his teens to leading infrastructure projects for global brands, Ryan’s story is one of grounded leadership and thoughtful evolution. He discusses the challenges of integrating sustainability in a traditionally structured industry, why safety and efficiency are at the core of his leadership, and how listening first has been his most valuable strategy for growth.

This is a conversation full of wisdom for anyone leading a legacy brand—or anyone stepping into business ownership with big vision and respect for where things began.

• Leadership in Transition: Ryan opens up about stepping into REDCOM with a legacy already in place and how he approached it with deep respect, choosing to listen first before initiating change.
• Sustainability & Safety: He talks about the economic challenges of sustainable building and how safety became a top priority—a legacy he hopes to leave at REDCOM.
• Corporate vs. Family Business: Ryan reflects on the lessons learned in both environments, blending corporate structure with small business agility.
• Client Empathy Through Experience: With a background as a builder, project manager, and owner’s rep, Ryan brings a 360-degree understanding of client needs.
• Humility as Strength: The episode closes with a powerful reminder that humility, paired with respect and authority, is not weakness—it’s a leader’s greatest asset.

“My first job was assistant to the laborer. I wasn’t even allowed to carry tools—just a broom.”

— Ryan Teicher

“I saw REDCOM as a place to combine the best of both worlds—family business values with corporate structure, without the bureaucracy.”

— Ryan Teicher

“You’re never done learning.”

— Ryan Teicher (on what it takes to be a business owner)

“Legacy isn’t something to protect—it’s something to grow.”

— Jamie Seeker (Host)

“A fresh set of eyes helps. It’s not about eliminating people—it’s about putting them in the right seats.”

— Ryan Teicher

“Humility is often seen as a weakness, but when combined with respect and authority, it becomes a strength.”

— Ryan Teicher

• 🌐 Website: redcomllc.com
• 📸 Instagram: @redcomllc
• 💼 LinkedIn: REDCOM Design & Construction
• 📍 Location: Westfield, New Jersey

In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Evan Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Riverview Systems Group, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based live event production company with a 38-year track record of staging unforgettable experiences for major global brands like Google, Apple, and Cisco.

Evan shares the unlikely blend of theater and accounting that led to his success, how he kept his team intact during the pandemic by pivoting to virtual production, and why empowering people is the secret to creating extraordinary events—and lasting culture. He also talks about co-founding the Rhythm Academy of San Jose, mentoring the next generation of industry talent, and what he’s learned across four decades in business.

This one’s packed with heart, hustle, and hard-won wisdom.

• Adapting to change in the live event industry
• The power of culture in business longevity
• The transition from analog to digital production
• Leading through crisis with empathy and creativity
• Mentorship, education, and community impact
• Entrepreneurship across industries

1. “There was never an idea in 1987 that we’d become a $20 million company. We just wanted to provide a service nobody else was offering.”
2. “Patience is one of the most important things. Being willing to listen, and not being stuck on your own ideas—that’s how you grow.”
3. “Our best work is done under NDA.” 😄 (A lighthearted but telling nod to high-stakes production work)
4. “The team chose to take a cut in salary rather than see any coworkers laid off. That speaks to the culture here.”
5. “I’ve always tried to empower people to do what they’re passionate about. That’s how careers grow—and how teams stick together.”
6. “We didn’t have a plan during the pandemic, but we had the right mindset: be flexible, pivot fast, and do the next right thing.”
7. “If you want to be successful as a business owner, you're in it 24/7. It's a commitment, not a shortcut.”
8. “There’s such a joy in watching someone you’ve mentored succeed—even if they don’t work for you anymore. That’s impact.”

🌐 Website: www.riverview.com

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/RiverviewSystemsGroup

📺 YouTube: @riverviewsystemsgroupinc4339