239 | From Tech Entrepreneur To Amazon: Da Li's Experience for Entrepreneurial Success Part 2
Release Date: 07/19/2024
263 | AOCP The Preemptive Edge - Gaining a Strategic Advantage by Acting Early and Wisely
Art of Consulting Podcast
00;00;00;01 - 00;00;31;05 Andy Hey, everybody, today I want to talk about the things we can do and decisions we can make ahead of time before something becomes an issue. Recently, most of us know about the government shutdown that had recently occurred. This is being recorded, November 24th, so of 2025. So anybody who wasn't aware of it in the US, the government had shut down, which was affecting air traffic because the air traffic controllers, some of them were having difficulty getting to work and some of them were being overworked because the government wasn't funded and they weren't...
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262 | More Than Compliance - How Confidentiality Serves Us
Art of Consulting Podcast
The Art of Consulting Podcast – Episode Transcript Hosts: Andy Fry & Cat Lam Episode Topic: Non-Disclosure Agreements and the Power of Keeping Information Confidential [00:00 – Intro Music] Andy Fry & Cat Lam (together): Welcome to the Art of Consulting Podcast with Andy Fry and Cat Lam. We are seasoned IT consultants, CPAs, and professional-development connoisseurs. Each episode we bring you an inspiring message to help you discover that X-factor as a professional in your field so you can gain the success you know you deserve in your career and in your life. [00:15] Andy Fry: Hey...
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261 | Why We Should Assume Someone Is Always Recording
Art of Consulting Podcast
Why We Should Assume Someone Is Always Recording In this solo episode, Andy Fry reflects on how everyday behavior—inside and outside the workplace—shapes our personal brand and professional reputation. Through personal stories and relatable lessons, he reminds listeners that in today’s world of smartphones and social media, every action could be on record. Andy shares an eye-opening story about visiting a college track team whose coach insisted her athletes greet everyone politely because “you never know who you’re talking to.” That lesson sparked a deeper conversation about...
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260 | Power Moves: Inside Energy Innovation and Consulting with Ashton Fox
Art of Consulting Podcast
Power Moves: Inside Energy Innovation and Consulting with Ashton Fox In this episode, Cat sits down with Ashton Fox, President of Onix Energy, to explore how consulting and executive leadership are reshaping the future of energy. With an impressive career spanning renewable energy, natural gas, and electricity supply, Ashton brings a wealth of experience on scaling organizations, transforming business models, and leading companies through high-stakes change. Ashton shares how he helped transform a negative-revenue startup into a $150M powerhouse, scaled solar and renewable operations across...
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259 | From Oilfields to Solar Fields: Building Ridgeline Solar and the Future of Clean Energy
Art of Consulting Podcast
In this episode of the Art of Consulting Podcast, hosts Andy Fry and Cat Lam sit down with Drew Mair, President of Ridgeline Solar, to explore his inspiring journey from Alberta’s oil and gas sector to building one of the most respected solar manpower companies in Western Canada. Drew shares how his early career as an electrician shaped his transition into renewable energy, and the challenges of moving from “one guy in a truck” to running a full-fledged solar construction business. He talks candidly about balancing golden handcuffs with flexibility, the risks of entrepreneurship, and the...
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258 | Breaking Barriers: Svetlana Winters’ Journey from Russia to CFO in American Oil & Gas
Art of Consulting Podcast
Breaking Barriers: Svetlana Winters’ Journey from Russia to CFO in American Oil & Gas In this episode, we sit down with Svetlana Winters, CFO at Alteriver, whose journey from Russia to the executive boardroom of a U.S. oil & gas company is nothing short of inspiring. Svetlana shares how she left a top finance role in Russia to start over in the United States—facing language barriers, cultural challenges, and the uphill climb of rebuilding her career from the ground up. Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the strength required to thrive in male-dominated...
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257 | Fractional CFOs: The Secret Weapon for Scaling, Selling, and Stress-Free Success
Art of Consulting Podcast
Fractional CFOs: Turning Financial Chaos Into Strategic Wins with Emily Statler In today’s episode, Cat welcomes Emily Statler, a seasoned Fractional CFO and Financial Coach who has spent more than 20 years helping consultants transform financial headaches into strategic victories. Emily shares how fractional CFOs are no longer just for big corporations — consultants, solopreneurs, and small-to-mid-sized firms can all benefit from high-level financial guidance without the burden of a full-time hire. Together, Cat and Emily dive into three key perspectives: For solopreneurs and...
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256 | How Returning a Man's Gloves Helped Move Me Forward
Art of Consulting Podcast
Andy shares a story of a difficult time in his life where an apparent unassuming event helped move him forward and change his perspective. This began a path a consistent changes for the better.
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255 | How to Use Consistency and Bursts to Achieve Goals
Art of Consulting Podcast
In this episode Andy walks through two approaches he's used to achieve goals that take a long time to accomplish. How to breakdown goals into smaller components and how to continue a consistent approach to achievement.
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254 | How to Deal with the Defining Project in Our Careers
Art of Consulting Podcast
In this episode Andy discusses that there is typically one project that defines our career, will we continue in consulting, or will will switch careers. He discusses the signs and when this typically occurs as well as how to approach it. Its also a reminder for more seasoned consultants that this happens to others (and you may have forgotten it happened to you) and it may happen with minor changes in our careers.
info_outlineIn this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Da Li, a serial entrepreneur who shared his remarkable journey from entrepreneurship in China to creating sustainable home products. Da Li's diverse experiences and insights provided an enriching conversation on entrepreneurship and cross-cultural engagement.
1. Entrepreneurial Journey in China (00:00-02:16)
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Da Li founded DEYA Tech, becoming a market leader in China, catering to major clients domestically and internationally, including regions along the Belt and Road initiative.
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He discussed the challenges faced in the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in China, highlighting the impact of rising labor costs and changing market dynamics.
2. Challenges of Business in China (02:16-13:00)
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Da Li emphasized the increasing difficulty of bootstrapping and organic growth in the current market, reflecting on the changes in labor costs and the landscape compared to previous years.
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He shared lessons learned from DEYA Tech, including the importance of embracing failure, the significance of swift adaptation, and recognizing the right timing for pivoting in business.
3. Engaging with High-Profile Dignitaries (13:00-18:00)
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Da Li shared intriguing stories of interacting with high-profile dignitaries, providing insights into encounters with a Saudi Prince and the late Paul Allen, shedding light on the dynamics and behind-the-scenes interactions in such scenarios.
4. Creating Sustainable Home Products (18:00-29:12)
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Introduction to Kunaboo, a brand by Kingsway Global Inc., focusing on sustainable home products with a family-oriented touch, emphasizing the significance of the name and the inherent message behind it.
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The discussion included the principles of the brand, the family-oriented feel of the products, and the value of having such items in homes.
5. Life Lessons from Entrepreneurship (29:12-32:00)
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Da Li emphasized the empowering nature of entrepreneurship, highlighting the sense of agency, responsibility, and the lasting impact it has on personal growth and accountability.
Episode Highlights:
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00:00 - Entrepreneurial journey in China, founding DEYA Tech and serving major clients nationally and internationally.
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2:16 - Challenges of business in China, rising labor costs, and the changing landscape of entrepreneurship.
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13:00 - Lessons learned from DEYA Tech, embracing failure, and the importance of swift adaptation in business.
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18:00 - Engaging with high-profile dignitaries, sharing encounters with a Saudi Prince and the late Paul Allen.
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29:12 - Creating sustainable home products, introducing the brand Kunaboo and its significance.
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32:00 - Life lessons from entrepreneurship, emphasizing agency, responsibility, and personal growth.
About Our Guest Today
Da Li is a serial entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship, cross-cultural dynamics, and sustainable products. He founded Kingsway Global Inc. and leads Peer Communications and Wellcee.
Where to find Our Guest online
https://www.kunaboo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mykunaboo/
https://www.instagram.com/mykunaboo/
https://www.wellcee.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dali1/