Getting Down To Business with Mark Mondo

Cynthia & I interview Chandra Spary-Kontinos, the founder of Card Systems.  She has over 30 years of experience in the merchant service industry. Her extensive background includes involvement in the RSPA, ETA and Dress for Success for southwest Florida.

Main Discussion Points:

1. Evolution of Payment Systems:

   • Transition from manual card imprints to digital transactions has revolutionized payment processing.

2. Effici...

Cynthia & I interview Yami Hu, the founder of Three Legged Coffee Brewing, a craft brewery specializing in all-natural, zero-calorie cold brew coffees. Yami shares her journey from a corporate American to entrepreneurship, sparked by her desire for a more fulfilling professional life. She discusses the challenges and successes she faced while starting her business, including leveraging a Kickstarter campaign to fund the initial...

Cynthia & I interview Michelle McCorry, MS CMR, a pioneer in health sharing plans offers a new perspective on healthcare solutions in America.  As we dive into the limitations of traditional health insurance, Michelle illustrates how alternative models can provide effective, affordable care. With the U.S. health system facing critical scrutiny—ranking below many other nations despite high spending—this episode sheds light on ...

Cynthia & I talk to George Schwabe and Paul Katz, two renowned figures known for their innovative approaches to financial security and risk management. George and Paul share their expertise on evaluating estates and explore a variety of financial instruments beyond life insurance, such as annuities, and why they might be a better fit—or not—for your financial strategy.

The best part of the show is listening to Paul's no-nonsens...

I interview Carlos Pelaez, a commercial real estate agent working at Baron Commercial Real Estate in Stuart, Florida.

Carlos shares his story of his family emigrating from Cuba after Castro nationalized their land, and they had to start over in the US.   After working as a prosecutor in Orlando, Carlos wanted to change careers to earn more money after getting saddled with debt from law school.

Carols shares what works during his ca...

In this episode, Mark & Cynthia welcome Barb Noote, the managing broker from Noote Partners, who began her remarkable career at just 18 – a move so unprecedented that it influenced Illinois state licensing laws. Barb shares her journey, including how she built a successful team in an industry where income is often solely commission-based, and the nuances of becoming a real estate agent.

The discussion also touches on the impact...

Cynthia Zimmerman & I interview The Campos Collective, a trio of innovative musicians who share their journey on how they adapted to the marketplace as performers.

They’re a group of Chicago-native musicians and close friends who are passionate about creating their interpretation of well-known music through film, theatrical enactment, and design.  Their music was recently featured on the Howard Stern Wrap-Up show. They have rec...

Cynthia & I interview Bob Lambert, the regional director of G7, a faith-based networking group.  Instead of taking the standard approach we experience in networking groups like BNI, Le Tip or a chamber of commerce, G7 explicitly employs faith to help people fiscally and spiritually.

With Cynthia's upbringing in the Methodist missionary community and Bob's return to faith after being raised in Roman Catholic household, we took...

Mark and Cynthia interview professional Chicago musician, Luis Antonio Galvez-Alcantara, who shared his impressive journey of becoming a successful musical entrepreneur.

He’s a native of Lima, Peru, and a sought-after singer described as ‘…the golden tenor’ by Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times, and ‘…a gorgeous operatic tenor voice’ by the Third Coast Review. In addition to performing, he teaches, is the Director of Choral Music ...

Join Mark & Cynthia as we dive into the world of e-mail marketing with Vivek Gargav, the Marketing Director at Caldere Associates hailing from Reading, United Kingdom. Vivek is a seasoned professional with a passion for CRM software development and digital marketing. With over 20 years of experience in the CRM industry, he has showcased his expertise working extensively with tools like Zoho CRM, Zoho Social, Zoho Campaigns, a...

I delve into the complex world of commercial credit, joined by expert Matthew Bruggeman. We navigate through the intricate landscape of credit philosophy, mechanics, and the elusive promised land of financial stability for small business owners.

Philosophy: Our discussion kicks off by unraveling the stark contrast between business and personal credit, emphasizing why this differentiation is pivotal. Matthew shares insights into the...

In this episode, we redefine competitors as potential collaborators. Discover insightful discussions with CRM industry experts Steve Stroz and Alan Lee.

Steve Stroz is a CRM expert with over two decades of experience, chosen as a speaker by top companies and known for founding industry events. Alan Lee, founder of E TECH SYSTEMS, is your guide to using CRM systems for Sales, Customer Service, and Lead Generation.

Tune in to hear th...

Mark and Cynthia dive into the world of real estate with their guest, Lucas Herren. Lucas, a dual-licensed real estate professional affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Illinois and Indiana earned a reputation as a top-tier expert in the field by closing $2 million in sales in his very first year, Lucas's success is underpinned by his unwavering commitment to exceptional service and a deep understanding of the local real estat...

Mark and Cynthia delve deep into the world of cybersecurity with Thomas Gottfried, the seasoned owner of Thomas Guard based in Libertyville, Illinois. With 25 years of experience spanning manufacturing, supply chain management, and information technology, Thomas focuses on businesses with under 10 PCs, helping them through all their I.T. requirements.

Join us as we uncover the secrets of cyber threats, from deceptive emails that lu...

We dive deep into the remarkable life and inspirational journey of Annie Mendez-McDaniel. A certified Life, Law of Attraction, and Transformation Coach, Annie is also the author of "Simply Unapologetic," a memoir that chronicles her extraordinary path to resilience and personal growth.

She takes us through the challenges of surviving abusive marriages and, most importantly, the keys that empowered her to break free from those toxic...

Join us as we welcome Michelle Scott, a seasoned CRM consultant with over two decades of experience. Michelle's journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community support, all while setting strong work boundaries and prioritizing mental health.

Michelle Scott's career took an unconventional turn when she transitioned from corporate America to become a CRM consultant in 1999. What's even more remarkable ...