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EP 241 - Stand Out. Speak Up. Be Radically Authentic – Marina Byezhanova on Owning Your Identity

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Release Date: 05/08/2025

EP 252 - The Customer Isn’t Always Right – Your Team Comes First: Wisdom from Christine McDannell show art EP 252 - The Customer Isn’t Always Right – Your Team Comes First: Wisdom from Christine McDannell

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Christine McDannell is a serial entrepreneur, author of The Resilient Founder, and a passionate advocate for building businesses that align with long-term legacy and personal purpose. She’s launched and sold multiple companies, including a 7-figure exit, and now focuses her energy on guiding purpose-driven founders through her work at Kindred Quarters and .  In Episode 252 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Christine shared a bold but essential truth that many leaders need to hear: “The customer is not always #1… your team is #1!” It's a deceptively simple statement...

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EP 251 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 4) | The Four Driving Influences of Human Behavior – Michael Walsh on What Really Moves Us show art EP 251 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 4) | The Four Driving Influences of Human Behavior – Michael Walsh on What Really Moves Us

Paper Napkin Wisdom

In Part 4 of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh — growth strategist and founder of Walsh Business Growth — returns to the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast with another deceptively simple, powerfully transformational idea. This time, Michael outlines what he believes to be the four core driving influences of all human behavior: Survive, Thrive, Connect, and Adapt.  Michael's frameworks aren't about academic theory — they’re forged in the heat of real entrepreneurial fires. Having coached hundreds of founders and growth-minded leaders, Michael brings his deep understanding of...

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EP 250 - John Sleeman Series (Part 3 of 3) | “I Need a New Challenge.” — John Sleeman’s Legacy, Reinvented show art EP 250 - John Sleeman Series (Part 3 of 3) | “I Need a New Challenge.” — John Sleeman’s Legacy, Reinvented

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John’s wisdom shines through—and we think it’s worth it. Hope you agree. In this special final chapter of a three-part series, we return to Paper Napkin Wisdom with legendary entrepreneur John Sleeman, founder of Sleeman Breweries and Spring Mill Distillery. But this time, he’s not alone — John is joined by the next generation: his sons, Quinn, a cooper who crafts whiskey barrels, and Cooper, who leads sales and marketing at the distillery. Yes, the naming symmetry is as poetic as...

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EP 249 – John Sleeman Series (Part 2 of 3) | You’ve Been Given a Gift — Now Do Something With It show art EP 249 – John Sleeman Series (Part 2 of 3) | You’ve Been Given a Gift — Now Do Something With It

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John’s wisdom shines through—and we think it’s worth it. Hope you agree. This episode marks the second chapter in a three-part journey through the life and legacy of John Sleeman, the iconic Canadian entrepreneur behind Sleeman Breweries. And in this moment, we move from the grind of building a business to something deeper—something almost mythic: a legacy rediscovered.  John’s story picks up with a surprise visit from his Aunt Florian. After a decade of no contact, she shows up with a...

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EP 248 - John Sleeman Series (Part 1 of 3) | Start a Pub: The Deal-Driven Origins of John Sleeman's Entrepreneurial Rise show art EP 248 - John Sleeman Series (Part 1 of 3) | Start a Pub: The Deal-Driven Origins of John Sleeman's Entrepreneurial Rise

Paper Napkin Wisdom

This episode is personal.  Just after college, I started a small business with my friend Matt Fox. We launched a student-focused magazine called Fingertips — hunting down wing nights and drink deals before smartphones made that easy. Money was tight. Hustle was everything. And our first cold call was to Sleeman Brewing in Guelph.  John Sleeman said yes.  That early “yes” stuck with me — and now, decades later, I’m sitting with him in this beautiful building, recording a full-circle episode for Paper Napkin Wisdom. But this story isn’t about the...

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EP 247 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 3) | The Exponential Power of Connection: A Napkin That Changes Everything - Michael Walsh show art EP 247 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 3) | The Exponential Power of Connection: A Napkin That Changes Everything - Michael Walsh

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Michael Walsh returns for part three of our special Freedom by Design series on Paper Napkin Wisdom, and this one might be the most visually striking yet. If you’re a fan of simple visuals that unlock big thinking, you’re going to love this napkin. It’s a 10x10 grid—just 100 dots—but what it represents could be the unlock for transformational leadership and next-level scale.  Michael is the founder of Walsh Business Growth and the author of Freedom by Design: The Established Business Owner’s Guide to Grow, Make an Impact and Find Joy Again. In this...

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EP 246 - The One Call Sale with Ari Galper: Transforming Sales Through Trust show art EP 246 - The One Call Sale with Ari Galper: Transforming Sales Through Trust

Paper Napkin Wisdom

In Episode 246 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Ari Galper, the world’s leading authority on trust-based selling and the creator of the revolutionary “One Call Sale” method. With over 25 years of experience, Ari has completely flipped the traditional sales script. His approach isn’t about pressure, persuasion, or playing games—it’s about trust, truth, and transformation.  Ari’s method is especially relevant for high-trust, low-volume, high-margin businesses where chasing leads and long sales cycles create drag. His model is designed to...

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EP 245 - Summit Your Current Mountain: Dustin Wells on Focus, Fulfillment, and the Climb of Leadership show art EP 245 - Summit Your Current Mountain: Dustin Wells on Focus, Fulfillment, and the Climb of Leadership

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Dustin Wells isn’t just an experienced tech entrepreneur — he’s a guide for leaders looking to rediscover purpose in the peaks and valleys of business and life. With over two decades in tech and a successful exit under his belt, Dustin has learned to measure success not only in valuations but in clarity, impact, and joy. In Episode 245 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Dustin shared a message written in bold blue ink: “Summit your current mountain.”  This deceptively simple statement holds transformative weight. It’s not just about climbing higher — it’s about finishing...

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EP 244 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 2) | The 4 Danger Zones Every Business Must Navigate - Michael Walsh show art EP 244 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 2) | The 4 Danger Zones Every Business Must Navigate - Michael Walsh

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Michael Walsh is no stranger to growth. As the founder of , he’s spent years helping established business owners scale with intention, clarity, and impact. In this second installment of our Freedom Framework special on Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael returns to reveal one of his most powerful visual tools for growth: The 4 Danger Zones.  Drawn on a simple napkin (as all great ideas are), Michael lays out the major inflection points — and hidden pitfalls — that business owners face as they scale from $1M to $20M and beyond. Each stage brings a new level of complexity, risk,...

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EP 243 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 1): How Michael Walsh Redefines the Entrepreneur's Journey show art EP 243 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 1): How Michael Walsh Redefines the Entrepreneur's Journey

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Freedom. It’s a word thrown around a lot in entrepreneurial circles. For some, it’s about time. For others, money. But in Episode 243 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael Walsh challenges all of us to look deeper. With his napkin reading, “Freedom is not a selfish act,” he invites established business owners to consider a profound shift in how they view growth and fulfillment.  Michael Walsh isn’t just another business coach. He’s a skilled strategist with decades of experience guiding entrepreneurs who have already built something successful—but feel stuck,...

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In Episode 241 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I reconnect with someone whose growth journey I’ve witnessed firsthand—Marina Byezhanova. She’s not just a remarkable entrepreneur and thought leader; she’s also someone I’ve had the privilege to coach during her early years in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Accelerator program. Today, she’s the co-founder of Brand of a Leader, a global personal branding agency that helps CEOs and founders show up powerfully and authentically in a noisy world. 

Marina's journey is one of identity, courage, and clarity. Born in Ukraine, she immigrated to Canada as a teenager, carrying the weight of reinvention on her shoulders. Her story isn't just about entrepreneurship—it's about the transformation that happens when we stop hiding and start standing in our truth. 

Her Paper Napkin Wisdom is handwritten and bold: "Stand out. Speak up. Be radically authentic." At the top, she’s penned “BOAL”—the acronym for her company, Brand of a Leader—a testament to how deeply this message is woven into her life and work. 

Marina’s message came from years of personal experience and introspection. “It took me many years to realize that this is my north star,” she shared. “And over time, as I started a personal branding agency for founders and CEOs, it became their north star too.” 

She talked openly about her early years trying to fit in—years of hoping no one would ask where she was from, years of trying to blend in rather than stand out. “All I wanted was for people not to hear my accent when I said hello,” she told me. But over time, Marina discovered the power in not just showing up—but showing up loudly, proudly, and with purpose. 

Her transformation wasn’t overnight. It was iterative, painful at times, and vulnerable. But in that vulnerability, she found strength. “There is something really compelling when we are radically authentic,” she said, emphasizing that radical authenticity isn’t just a marketing strategy—it’s a way of being. 

What stood out in our conversation is Marina’s clarity of purpose: her belief that personal branding isn’t about ego or vanity—it’s about alignment. It’s about letting the outside world see the leader you truly are on the inside. In a digital age where we’re all building brands—intentionally or not—her insight is both a wake-up call and a guiding light. 

She reminded us that standing out doesn’t require volume—it requires resonance. That speaking up isn’t about dominating—it’s about contributing. And that authenticity isn’t a buzzword—it’s a daily practice of integrity. 

5 Key Takeaways from Marina Byezhanova on Paper Napkin Wisdom 

1. Authenticity Is Your Brand 

“Radical authenticity is not a buzzword—it’s your superpower.” 

Take Action: Audit your public presence (LinkedIn, bios, website) and ask: Is this really me? If not, refine it until it is. 

2. You Can’t Lead If You’re Hiding 

“I spent years blending in, afraid to stand out. But leaders aren’t made in the shadows.” 

Take Action: Identify one way you’re holding back—and commit to showing up more boldly this week. 

3. Your Voice Matters, Even If It Shakes 

“Speaking up doesn’t mean shouting. It means sharing with purpose.” 

Take Action: Publish one post or comment today that reflects your real thoughts—especially if it scares you a little. 

4. Your Brand Is Built by Design or by Default 

“If you’re not intentional about your brand, you still have one—just not the one you want.” 

Take Action: Set three adjectives you want people to associate with your name. Now check if your online footprint reflects them. 

5. Full Circle Moments Are Fuel 

“Growth is beautiful when you can look back and say, ‘I’ve become who I was meant to be.’” 

Take Action: Write a note or message to someone who helped you in your journey. Share your gratitude—it reinforces growth. 

Marina’s message is one every entrepreneur, founder, and difference-maker needs to hear: Don’t wait to be invited to the stage. Build your own. Then own it. 

Want to connect with Marina or learn more about how she helps founders become visible and impactful leaders? Visit Brand of a Leader or connect with her on LinkedIn

And as always, I challenge you: What’s your Paper Napkin Wisdom? Share it with us using the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Post it. Share it. Live it.