Opportunity Knocks

Episode 23: High School Calculus Teacher turned Entrepreneur

Ginger Flesher-Sonnier shares her journey from teaching high school math to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry. She discusses her transition from teaching to starting an escape room business and later expanding into axe throwing and social entertainment venues with “THRōw Social”! Ginger's strategic and bold approach to business, along with her focus on creating immersive and family-friendly experiences, has led to her success in the industry.

Episode 22: Empowering Communities and CHANGING LIVES

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including personal anecdotes, family updates, career journeys, and insights into the operations of the Urban League of Broward County with Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh. She shares valuable advice on team building, attracting and retaining talent, and the importance of authentic relationships in business. She also discusses the Urban League's impact on the community, its future plans, and the resources it provides to small business owners and families in need.

Episode 21: Syd Levitt; A World War II Hero's Journey

Syd Levitt, a World War II hero, shares his stories and experiences in this conversation. From his military service to his entrepreneurial ventures, Syd's journey is filled with humor and resilience. The conversation also touches on topics like Honor Flight, the welcome home for veterans, and the current situation in Palestine and Israel. Syd's sharp memory and optimistic outlook on life make him a true treasure.

Episode 20: Livello Restaurant; Passion, Craft, and Family

In this episode of Opportunity Knocks, host Todd Paton interviews Bruno, the owner of Livello, a restaurant in Coral Springs, Florida. Bruno shares his passion for the restaurant industry and his commitment to providing excellent service and quality food. He discusses his background in cooking, his love for fusion cuisine, and the inspiration behind Livello. Bruno also talks about the importance of preparation and continuous learning in the restaurant business. The episode concludes with a discussion about Livello's menu and the unique dishes they offer, including their popular pizzas.

Episode 19: In-Person Events: Bringing the Mission to Life

Tariq Myers, the founder of Untapped and Best of Local Delray Beach, shares his journey from growing up in Boston to working at Lyft and Coinbase in Silicon Valley, and eventually starting his own company. He emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for others and expanding the opportunity landscape. Tarek's current venture, Best of Local Delray Beach, is a hyperlocal discovery app that curates recommendations from locals, providing a trusted source for finding the best businesses and services in the area. The app aims to support mid-market cities and keep dollars local.

Episode 18: You'll Never "Hunt" for Business Again Once You Learn How to "Farm"

Todd discusses the debate between sales and marketing and compares it to farming and hunting. He explains that marketing is like farming, a long-term strategy that involves creating content to educate and build trust with prospects. On the other hand, sales is like hunting, a more immediate approach that involves outbound efforts to find and close deals. Todd emphasizes the importance of inbound marketing and the power of content in attracting leads. He also provides insights on how to repurpose content for different platforms and use it in the sales process.

Episode 17: How a Debate Student Shocked Everyone When Opportunity Came Knocking

Alex Smith shares her journey from seizing opportunities in education to overcoming challenges in sales and transitioning to tech sales. She also discusses her experiences with spirituality and yoga, as well as her current ventures in podcasting and consulting. Alex envisions a future of growth and impact, focused on improving the health and happiness of the world.

Episode 16: A Dedicated Life: The Power of Early Childhood Education

In this episode of Opportunity Knocks, host Todd Paton interviews Dave Lawrence, a successful businessman and advocate for early childhood education. They discuss Dave's career in the newspaper industry, his transition to working in early learning, and the importance of investing in children's education and development. Dave shares his insights on the impact of early childhood experiences on brain development and future success. He also emphasizes the role of love, high expectations, and positive role models in shaping children's lives. The conversation touches on topics such as homelessness, giving back, and the power of setting a good example.

Episode 15: Become Obsessed with Providing Solutions

In this conversation, Marcus Sheridan discusses the importance of content marketing and the impact it can have on a business. He shares his personal experiences and how he used content marketing to save his swimming pool company during the economic downturn. Marcus emphasizes the need to prioritize time and focus on creating quality content that addresses the questions and concerns of potential customers. He also highlights the importance of integrating content into the sales process to shorten the sales cycle and increase closing rates. Marcus encourages businesses to be transparent and honest in their content, building trust with their audience. The conversation with Marcus Sheridan covers various topics related to content marketing and sales. The main themes include the importance of telling prospects what you are not, the power of respectfully walking away from potential clients, the role of content distribution and strategies for repurposing content, the significance of buy-in from the team, and the value of chatbots in providing real-time answers. Marcus also discusses his conference, Digital Sales and Marketing World, which aims to eliminate the silos between sales and marketing teams. #opportunityknocks

Episode 14: From Parkland to Colombia: A Journey of Resilience

Join us for a wild ride as Todd attempts to interview the unfiltered and unpredictable Cindy Ruiz. From her delayed arrival to her candid stories about life in Colombia, this episode is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you entertained from start to finish.