46. A Serial Entrepreneur’s Next Great Idea with Michael Van Erdewyk
Mission First People Always's podcast
Release Date: 06/27/2023
76. Hope in a Cup: How One Woman Is Using Coffee to Combat Human Trafficking—The Story of Talitha Coffee and Jenny Barber
Mission First People Always's podcast
What if your morning cup of coffee could help transform someone’s life? In this unforgettable episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Jenny Barber—survivor, leader, and co-founder of Talitha Coffee—for a conversation that will change the way you think about business, leadership, and human dignity. Jenny’s personal journey from surviving child exploitation to founding a thriving, purpose-driven company is nothing short of extraordinary. With over 140 employees and 9 coffee shops, Talitha Coffee is more than a business—it’s a movement of healing,...
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75. Why Choosing Joy is the Secret to Resilient Leadership with Ricardo Viso
Mission First People Always's podcast
Have you ever noticed that stress, anxiety, and burnout feel more common than joy these days? What if you could embrace simple habits that make your days lighter, more meaningful, and yes — even more joyful? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Dr. Mike Patterson talks with Ricardo Viso, a global entrepreneur who’s survived cancer, loss, and hardship and emerged with one clear mission: to help people infuse joy into everyday life — at work and at home. In this episode, Ricardo Viso — speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of the Joyful Living Lounge — shares his story of...
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74. From Missed Opportunities to Measurable Growth: Why A Follow-Up System Is the Key to Great Leadership (Not Just Sales) with Doug Brown
Mission First People Always's podcast
Why Follow-Up Is a Leadership Practice with Doug C. Brown Let’s face it—“follow-up” doesn’t always have the best reputation. It can feel pushy, annoying, or just like one more thing on your to-do list. But what if follow-up wasn’t about pestering people… and instead became one of the most powerful tools you have to show care, build trust, and lead with integrity? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with renowned sales expert Doug C. Brown to reframe everything you think you know about follow-up. Doug shares why this essential practice is about more than just closing a...
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73. Fighting for Greatness: Leadership Lessons from the Cage with Clifford Starks
Mission First People Always's podcast
What if leadership was less about the boardroom and more about the octagon? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Clifford Starks—former UFC fighter turned performance coach—for a knockout conversation on mastering mindset, resilience, and leadership under pressure. From climbing into the cage to helping business leaders find their flow, Clifford shares hard-won wisdom that will challenge and inspire you. Clifford Starks knows what it means to face fear head-on—literally. With a 14-5 professional fighting record and a relentless drive for excellence, Clifford has transitioned from...
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72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab)
Mission First People Always's podcast
We’ve all heard Peter Drucker’s famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." But what does it really take to build a workplace culture that drives both people and performance? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with culture expert Andrea Wanerstrand to uncover the key elements of creating a thriving, human-centric workplace. Dr. Mike welcomes Andrea Wanerstrand, Founder & CEO of A3 CultureLab, a leadership speaker, coach, and consultant who helps organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—design extraordinary workplace...
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71. Story to Strategy: Should You Write a Book In 2025? Using Your Book to Build Multiple Income Streams
Mission First People Always's podcast
Ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the process? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on a Mission, to uncover the secrets to writing a book that not only connects with readers but also elevates your brand, grows your business, and creates multiple income streams. Dr. Mike welcomes Danielle Hutchinson, a master storyteller and ghostwriter of over 150 books, who shares her expertise on crafting compelling narratives. From her experiences as an English teacher to her current...
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70. The Art of Leadership: What Ballet Can Teach Business Leaders with Ahli Moore
Mission First People Always's podcast
What do leadership and ballet have in common? More than you might think! In this inspiring episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson speaks with Ahli Moore about the surprising connections between ballet and leadership, uncovering how the discipline, practice, and passion behind the art of dance can guide leaders to be more effective and impactful. Dr. Mike welcomes Ahli Moore, founder of X-Factor Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to leadership development and organizational transformation. Drawing on his unique perspective as a business leader and his connection to the...
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69. Transforming Technical Experts into High-Impact Leaders with Dr. Angelique Adams
Mission First People Always's podcast
How can technical experts harness their unique strengths to become impactful leaders? Join Dr. Mike Patterson and Dr. Angelique Adams as they explore the transition from technical mastery to effective leadership and discuss actionable tools for success. In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Dr. Angelique Adams, an accomplished engineer-turned-leadership coach, to discuss the journey of transforming technical experts into high-impact leaders. Drawing on 25+ years of experience, Dr. Adams shares her personal story of transitioning from a lab technician to a corporate executive overseeing...
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68. Chasing Big Dreams: Creativity and Connection in Teams with Disney Imagineer Bob Weis and Tricia Cerrone
Mission First People Always's podcast
How do you turn dreams into reality while leading teams through complex, high-stakes projects? Dr. Mike Patterson hosts a LIVE discussion on linkedin with Bob Weis, former head of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Tricia Cerrone, a leadership expert, to uncover the lessons behind chasing big dreams, fostering creativity, and leading with purpose. About the Episode: In this special live episode, Dr. Mike Patterson is joined by Bob Weis, author of Dream Chasing, and Tricia Cerrone, who facilitates a rich conversation about leadership, creativity, and collaboration. Bob shares his journey leading...
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67. Leading with Kindness: Brittany Martin on Disrupting Workplace Culture
Mission First People Always's podcast
In a competitive and ever-changing business world, is there room for kindness? Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Brittany Martin, founder of Be Kind Works, to discuss how leaders can embrace kindness as a powerful strategy for sustainable success. Dr. Mike welcomes Brittany Martin, an expert in HR and leadership development, who brings a unique perspective on how kindness and strategic leadership go hand in hand. As the founder of Be Kind Works, Brittany shares her KIND framework, designed to help leaders foster empathy and effectiveness in the workplace. Brittany discusses why kindness...
info_outlineIf you like the origin stories of great business ideas--especially great ideas that involve financial technology--that promise to do good in the world, then this episode is for you. We talking to Michael Van Erdewyk, a serial entrepreneur who has started a number of new technology based businesses, about how he is creating opportunity for influencers and non-profits to communicate with their audiences through a new app and make money for their causes in the process.
About the Guest
My guest today is Michael VanErdwyk is an entrepreneur and seasoned executive with extensive experience building and directing high-performance teams in leadership, financing, talent and culture, management, operations, marketing and sales. With over 25 years in fin-tech, insurance, securities and lending industries, he has significant strategic business experience.
He founded Bright Bucks in 2019 to help clients (non-profits, social media influencers and more) increase revenue by better engaging, communicating and giving back to their members and allowing them to earn additional income. Michael was previously founder/CEO of a company engaged in servicing and insuring over $4 billion in private student loans. He successfully founded and built three Workers' Compensation companies and was the founder/CEO of biotech companies with multiple patents.
What You’ll Learn
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The most important characteristic of a successful entrepreneur
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The importance of relationships in everything from raising money to building teams. It comes down to relationships.
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How should an entrepreneur respond when results fall short of expectations
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What Bright Bucks is and why is it a valuable idea
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How influencers and nonprofits can benefit from Bright Bucks
Links for This Episode:
Connect with Dr. Mike:
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Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson
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Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always
Episode Minute By Minute:
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0:00 Entrepreneurs are a special category of people
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3:00 An introduction to Michael Van Erdewyk
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6:12 What makes an entrepreneur good at their work?
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7:59 Pushing through in business is about optimism
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9:50 The importance of relationships
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10:56 The mindset behind selecting team members
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12:46 How do you know when to throw in the towel on a business venture?
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13:49 The most challenging aspects of the entrepreneurial adventure
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16:28 Creating the Bright Bucks mobile app
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23:02 Bright Bucks, a B2B2C app and white label vs private label
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25:56 Some of the businesses Bright Bucks is partnered with
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31:46 One piece of advice you can take and apply today