From Vision to Virtual Reality | Kevin Surace

What does it take to change the world—not once, but again and again? In this electrifying episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Kevin Surace, the legendary innovator hailed as the father of the AI virtual assistant. From pioneering the technology behind Siri and Alexa at General Magic to holding 95 patents and reshaping industries with AI-powered software testing, Kevin’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He shares how his work is revolutionizing quality assurance through his company Appvance, why failure is necessary fuel for innovation, and the surprising secrets to building products that truly solve real-world problems. Kevin also offers golden advice to entrepreneurs, reveals how to get noticed in tech, and even introduces us to his virtual clone that can answer your questions in real time. Whether you're a startup founder, a tech enthusiast, or someone looking to be inspired by the real power of persistent innovation—this episode will ignite your curiosity and spark your imagination.

What if your biggest setback turned out to be your greatest launchpad? In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Jamie Mason Cohen—former Saturday Night Live insider turned internationally recognized leadership and communication trainer. From being laid off after 9/11 to working with Fortune 500 CEOs and top pharmaceutical leaders, Jamie shares how crisis, rejection, and redirection became the defining forces in his journey. He dives into the lessons learned behind the scenes at SNL, the power of effective communication under pressure, and how hosting his own podcast transformed his entrepreneurial impact. Get ready for hard-hitting insights on leadership, resilience, and why personal development is the ultimate foundation of business success. Whether you're a creative, an executive, or an entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, Jamie's story will leave you inspired and equipped to turn rejection into rocket fuel.

Episode Description: In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, we’re joined by the inspiring Vicki D., a seasoned financial services leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Wealthy and Unstoppable — a thriving community empowering women to take control of their money and rewrite their financial futures. With over 20 years of experience leading teams and launching wellness and financial ventures, Vicki shares her mission to shatter the myth that women aren’t good with money. From personal setbacks to billion-dollar missed opportunities, she opens up about the lessons she’s learned and the fire that fuels her movement to build female financial powerhouses. Get ready for practical money tips, mindset shifts, entrepreneurial advice, and a roadmap to becoming financially fearless. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate powerhouse, or somewhere in between — this episode will move you to act.

In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Christelle Biiga, founder of Exposure Maven, whose journey from Cameroon to America is nothing short of extraordinary. After spending nine months in immigration jail, facing homelessness, and overcoming business failure, Christelle rose from the ashes to build a thriving podcast booking agency that amplifies powerful voices worldwide. She shares how resilience, visibility, and mastering sales became her cornerstones of success. If you're an entrepreneur struggling with visibility or sales, or simply in need of motivation, this episode will reignite your belief in what's possible. Discover how Christelle turned her pain into purpose—and how podcasting can be a game-changing tool for entrepreneurs everywhere.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Harris Hill, founder of the Center for Childhood Trauma Healing, who shares their transformational journey from living with complex PTSD to pioneering holistic trauma treatment that helps others reclaim their lives. Harris opens up about how trauma shaped their early years, what finally sparked their healing, and how that journey led to building a mission-driven business that’s changing lives. From launching a coaching business in the midst of heartbreak in Indonesia to discovering marketing that honors their neurodivergence and introversion, Harris delivers honest insights on entrepreneurship, emotional resilience, and authentic connection. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in trauma healing, mental health advocacy, or building a business aligned with personal truth.

After a life-altering traumatic brain injury, Dani Rosenblad James found her calling in the most unexpected way—by helping others find their voice. In this powerful episode of Business Story of the Week, Dani shares how her injury became the catalyst for founding The Storytellers Path, a heart-driven writing community where everyday people become authors of their own personal stories. Dani opens up about the emotional journey of entrepreneurship, the vulnerability of turning yourself into the “product,” and the challenges and rewards of leading a growing community. Her mission is simple yet profound: Everyone’s story matters. Through Facebook, Instagram, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth, she’s helping people write and share stories that heal, inspire, and change lives. Whether you're a writer, a dreamer, or someone recovering from your own personal storm, this episode will show you how storytelling can be the key to transformation.

In this gripping episode of Business Story of the Week, we dive into the world of trauma, resilience, and purpose with Sarah Phillips, owner of Jax DeCon in Jacksonville, Florida. A military veteran, former stay-at-home mom, and now a trailblazer in the biohazard cleanup industry, Sarah shares how she turned her passion for helping others into a meaningful and thriving business. From crime scenes to mold remediation, Sarah brings empathy, strength, and community spirit to every cleanup job. She speaks candidly about the emotional weight of working with overdose victims, her dedication to mental health and veteran suicide awareness, and the gritty realities of growing a niche business in a high-demand field. With insights on leadership, pricing missteps, local networking, and building trust through compassion, this is a story of grit, heart, and true service.  

In this inspiring episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Sally Bisbee, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Simply Sally—a trio of businesses dedicated to helping people declutter their lives and embrace simplicity. From crafting joy through custom creations, to transforming homes through organization, and empowering moms through coaching, Sally shares how passion, purpose, and persistence drive her journey. She opens up about launching her coaching business, the surprises and setbacks of entrepreneurship, and why messy action beats perfection every time. Whether you're a busy mom or a business dreamer, Sally's story will motivate you to show up, speak up, and start sooner.

In this episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Korey Goldin from Delta Kits, a company that helps everyday people turn small cracks into big opportunities—literally. Korey dives deep into how Delta Kits empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to launch profitable windshield repair businesses with minimal overhead and high return potential. Whether you're eyeing a side hustle, part-time gig, or full-time venture, Korey shares why this business is recession-proof, location-independent, and highly scalable. He also gives solid advice on marketing through social media, building a client base through word of mouth, and maintaining long-term business growth through education and consistency. If you're considering starting your own business but don't know where to begin, this episode might just be the push you need.

In this episode of Business Story of the Week, we sit down with Steve Brossman, former sprint champion turned international business strategist, bestselling author, and sales expert. From Olympic dreams cut short by injury to building a multimillion-dollar fitness empire and eventually becoming a sought-after speaker and coach, Steve shares his powerful transformation story. Steve breaks down his signature approach to sales—"selling yourself without selling your soul." He reveals why traditional sales methods fail most entrepreneurs, how authentic connection converts better than hard pitches, and how leveraging podcast guesting helped him scale to six figures in under a year. Whether you're struggling to sell yourself, looking to elevate your business, or exploring the power of podcasting for growth—this episode is full of golden insights, actionable frameworks, and a big dose of motivation.