Podcast
The Pursuit of Purpose
Hosted by Chris Kiefer · EN
Wisdom, stories, and advice from successful entrepreneurs and inspirational people. Hosted by Chris Kiefer.
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
201 The 5-Step Cloud Integration Framework Smart Companies Are Using in 2026 with Jeffrey Atizado
Apr 2101:01:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Jeffrey Atizado, CEO & Co-Founder of SMB Consultants, to break down what most businesses get wrong about software, integration, and scaling.Jeff didn’t just build a company—he helped define an entire category: cloud integration. What started from a broken POS system in 2008 turned into a multi-award-winning consultancy working with retail, wholesale, and manufacturing businesses across Australia and New Zealand.But this conversation isn’t really about software.It’s about how businesses think, operate, and evolve in a world where tools are endless—but clarity is rare.From “app paralysis” to failed implementations, Jeff explains why most companies don’t have a software problem… they have a blueprint problem.And why the real work isn’t installing tools—it’s redesigning how people, processes, and systems actually function together.🚀 What you’ll learn in this episode:How most businesses choose the wrong software for the wrong reasonsWhy integrations fail even when the tools are “right”The concept of data blueprinting and why it’s the foundation of scaleHow to eliminate app paralysis and build a system that actually worksWhy people and processes matter more than the technology itself👉 Watch until the end to hear Jeff’s perspective on the future of AI, why human experience will become more valuable, and how to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing world.🎧 Podcast recommendations mentioned:Diary of a CEO: Click hereLex Fridman Podcast: Click hereHuberman Lab: Click here🎬 Classic films mentioned:Blade Runner: Click hereTerminator: Click hereThe Shawshank Redemption: Click here🔗 Connect with Jeffrey Atizado:LinkedIn Jeffrey Atizado: Click hereEmail: j@smbconsultants.com.auWebsite: Click hereIf you’re a business owner or entrepreneur trying to scale with technology, this episode will change how you think about systems, software, and growth.
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200 Building a Family Business That Lasts Generations with Mark Dabiero
Apr 1400:45:30Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Mark Deiro, founder of Lasting Impressions, to unpack a remarkable 50-year journey from selling t-shirts out of his mom’s basement to building a multi-million dollar business with Fortune 500 clients and professional sports partnerships.But this conversation goes far beyond business.Mark shares how community involvement, relentless networking, and strong family values became the foundation of his success and how he built a company that all four of his children now run together.This episode is about legacy, leadership, and what really matters when the business is done for the day.🚀 What you’ll learn in this video:= How Mark turned a basement side hustle into a nationally ranked company= The power of community involvement and why “networking is everything.”= The unexpected opportunity that changed his business overnight= The smart way to transition a business to your children (without entitlement)= How hardship, like economic downturns, can shape long-term success= The mindset shift from working in the business to building a legacyIf you’re an entrepreneur, parent, or someone thinking about building something that lasts beyond you, this episode will challenge how you think about success, family, and what you’re really working for.👉 Watch until the end to hear Mark’s powerful perspective on raising kids, building trust, and why the simplest habits like Sunday dinners can shape generations.Movie/Show recommendations:= Godfather: Click here🔗 Connect with Mark Dabeiro:Email: info@liteam.com Phone: 316-366-912 Website: Click here
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199 Stop Working 80 Hours! Use AI to Run Your Small Business Smarter with Brandon Vaughn
Apr 1101:10:18Tap to summarizeHow AI Is Changing Entrepreneurship (And What Most People Get Wrong)In this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with entrepreneur Brandon Vaughn to unpack a powerful journey from working with his dad as a kid to building businesses, facing failure, and now leading in the AI revolution.They dive deep into the real impact of AI on business, creativity, and family life and why this technology might be the biggest shift humanity has ever seen. But with that opportunity comes risk.This conversation isn’t just about AI tools it’s about mindset, discipline, and how to use technology without losing what makes us human.🚀 What you’ll learn in this video:= How Brandon went from a struggling entrepreneur to retiring his parents= The harsh reality of failure and how it can fuel massive growth= Why AI is a “double-edged sword” for business owners and families= How to use AI to buy back your time without becoming lazy= The danger of instant gratification and how it affects your kids= Why discipline and delayed gratification still matter more than ever= How AI is transforming small businesses through automation and systems= The rise of AI agent teams and what that means for the future of work= Why human creativity and craftsmanship may become more valuable in an AI world If you’re an entrepreneur, parent, or leader trying to navigate the fast-changing world of AI while building a meaningful life and business, this episode will challenge how you think and how you operate.👉 Watch until the end to hear the powerful perspective on why hard things still matter in an age of easy tools and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on business, leadership, and purpose-driven success📚 Book Mentioned:=The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly: Click here=The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy: Click here=How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale: Click hereMovie/Show Recommendations:=The Office: Click here=The Greatest Showman: Click here🔗Connect with Brandon Vaughn:Email: bvaughn@hirebus.comInstagram: Click hereLinkedIn: Click hereFacebook: Click hereWebsite: Click here
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198 From High School Painter to $12M Business Owner (No Subcontractors!) with John MacFarland
Apr 400:44:33Tap to summarizeHow do you build a winning business culture that actually scales?In this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with entrepreneur John McFarland to break down how he grew a painting company from a high school side job into a $12M powerhouse—without subcontractors. You’ll discover how intentional culture-building, smart systems, and performance-based incentives can transform your team into owners—not just employees.🚀 What you’ll learn in this video:=How to build a strong company culture that doesn’t rely on the owner=Why most businesses fail at scaling their team (and how to fix it)=The power of incentive-based pay structures=Systems and processes that create consistency and better customer experience=How to empower employees to take ownership and perform at a higher levelIf you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking to scale your company while building a motivated team, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply today.🔔 FOLLOW for more insights on business, leadership, and purpose-driven successBook Recommendation:Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: Click here12 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: Click hereGood to Great by Jim Collins: Click hereConnect with John Macfarland:LinkedIn: Click hereWebsite: Click hereEmail: john@macfarlandpainting.com
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197 From the Streets to $10M: The Tom Heiler Painting Story
Mar 2800:52:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Tom Heiler, owner of Heiler Painting, who shares his incredible journey of overcoming 7 surgeries to build a thriving business. Tom's story is a powerful testament to motivation and self improvement, highlighting the mindset needed to achieve success. He discusses the crucial success habits that allowed him to not only recover but also excel, offering valuable self development insights for anyone looking to build a resilient mentality.What if your toughest challenges are actually pointing you toward your true purpose?If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or unsure about your path, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on how to move forward with intention and confidence. Watch until the end and reflect on your own journey—then share in the comments what purpose means to you and how you're currently pursuing it. If this resonated with you, make sure to Follow for more conversations on growth, mindset, and building a life with intention.Book Recommendation:Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Click hereThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: Click hereHyper Sales Growth by Jack Daly: Click hereTraction by Gino Wickman: Click hereMovie/TV recommendation:Dark: Click hereConnect with Tom Heiler through:Email: tom@heilerpainting.com
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196 The #1 Customer Service Skill Disney Learned the Hard Way with Louie Gravance
Mar 2701:05:43Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Louie Gravance, a customer service training legend who spent more than 25 years at Walt Disney World helping build the gold standard for service culture.Louie shares how he went from being a “singing mortician” outside the Haunted Mansion to helping design Disney’s approach to world-class service. After Disney, he created Bank of America’s most successful customer service training program and later joined the launch team for Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.The conversation dives into what actually creates great service. Louie explains why you don’t have to like someone to delight them, why teams should never let customers “see the wires,” and how powerful moments often come from doing something you don’t have to do. He also shares why gratitude is the real pixie dust that lifts excellence and why the best service experiences transform the person delivering them.If you lead a team, run a business, or want to show up at a higher level in your work, this episode will change the way you think about service.👉 Watch now, hit LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations on business, service, and building a purpose-driven life.Book Recommendations:=Service Is a Superpower: Lessons Learned in the Magic Kingdom: https://a.co/d/0cgcNy5m=Unreasonable Hospitality: https://a.co/d/0jgKLZtd=Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis: https://a.co/d/0epk6vq8Movie / TV Recommendations: =Cabaret (1972): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068327/=Waiting for Guffman: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118111/=Play It Again, Sam: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069097Connect with LouieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louie-gravance-20339423/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JLbigadventures
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196 The #1 Customer Service Skill Disney Learned the Hard Way with Louie Gravance
Mar 1801:00:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Louie Gravance, a customer service training legend who spent more than 25 years at Walt Disney World helping build the gold standard for service culture.Louie shares how he went from being a “singing mortician” outside the Haunted Mansion to helping design Disney’s approach to world-class service. After Disney, he created Bank of America’s most successful customer service training program and later joined the launch team for Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.The conversation dives into what actually creates great service. Louie explains why you don’t have to like someone to delight them, why teams should never let customers “see the wires,” and how powerful moments often come from doing something you don’t have to do. He also shares why gratitude is the real pixie dust that lifts excellence and why the best service experiences transform the person delivering them.If you lead a team, run a business, or want to show up at a higher level in your work, this episode will change the way you think about service.👉 Watch now, hit LIKE, and FOLLOW for more conversations on business, service, and building a purpose-driven life.Book Recommendations:=Service Is a Superpower: Lessons Learned in the Magic Kingdom: click here=Unreasonable Hospitality: click here=Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis: click hereMovie / TV Recommendations: =Cabaret (1972): click here=Waiting for Guffman: click here=Play It Again, Sam: click hereConnect with LouieLinkedIn: click hereYouTube: click here
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196 The #1 Customer Service Skill Disney Learned the Hard Way with Louie Gravance
Mar 701:00:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Louie Gravance, a customer service training legend who spent more than 25 years at Walt Disney World helping build the gold standard for service culture.Louie shares how he went from being a “singing mortician” outside the Haunted Mansion to helping design Disney’s approach to world-class service. After Disney, he created Bank of America’s most successful customer service training program and later joined the launch team for Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.The conversation dives into what actually creates great service. Louie explains why you don’t have to like someone to delight them, why teams should never let customers “see the wires,” and how powerful moments often come from doing something you don’t have to do. He also shares why gratitude is the real pixie dust that lifts excellence and why the best service experiences transform the person delivering them.If you lead a team, run a business, or want to show up at a higher level in your work, this episode will change the way you think about service.👉 Watch now, hit LIKE, and FOLLOW for more conversations on business, service, and building a purpose-driven life.Book Recommendations:=Service Is a Superpower: Lessons Learned in the Magic Kingdom: click here=Unreasonable Hospitality: click here=Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis: click hereMovie / TV Recommendations: =Cabaret (1972): click here=Waiting for Guffman: click here=Play It Again, Sam: click hereConnect with LouieLinkedIn: click hereYouTube: click here
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195 Conversation with a Real Estate Investor Who Built 70 Doors by 22 with Coen Sarwanoke
Feb 2100:33:43Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Coen Sa, co-founder of Avenue Solutions, to talk about building a real estate portfolio through creative financing—without needing to quit your job first.At just 22 years old, Coen has helped build a portfolio of ~70 doors and breaks down how he got started through YouTube, imperfect action, and relentless outreach. The conversation dives into wholesaling, lending, credit sponsoring, and “subject-to” deals—plus practical ways to find motivated sellers (including a simple Zillow filter strategy).If you’ve ever wondered how to start investing in real estate without having everything figured out, this episode gives you a practical, no-fluff roadmap.👉 Watch now, hit LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations on business, leverage, and building freedom.Book Recommendations (from Coen)=Traction - click here=Good to Great - click here=The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster- click hereMovie / TV Recommendation=Lie to Me (Coen says it “should be on Hulu”) - click hereConnect with CoenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coen_was_here/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coensarwanoke
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194 How Sean Wilkinson Built Wealth Before 30 Through Real Estate, Tech & AI
Feb 1000:49:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Pursuit of Purpose, Chris Kiefer sits down with Sean Wilkinson, co-founder of HostShare, to explore the intersection of real estate, tech, and entrepreneurship.Sean shares his journey from buying his first rental property as a teenager to building a 170-unit real estate portfolio—and eventually launching HostShare, a tech platform designed to unlock the massive amount of unused vacancy in short-term rentals. They dive into creative finance, lessons learned from early failures, and how real-world experience shaped Sean’s approach to business.The conversation also explores what it’s like transitioning from real estate into tech, the leverage and challenges of building a software company, and how AI is changing what’s possible for founders today. Sean opens up about focus, identity, and why choosing what to pursue matters just as much as how you pursue it—especially when balancing business, family, and travel.📢 Vacancy is wasted potential—unless you design systems that put it to work.🔑 Topics Covered:Creative finance & early real estate investingBuilding systems that scale without youShort-term rentals & hidden vacancyTransitioning from real estate to techNetwork effects & marketplace businessesAI tools for founders and operatorsFocus, identity, and long-term leverageFamily, travel, and intentional living👉 Watch now, hit LIKE, and FOLLOW for more conversations on purpose, business, and building leverage. Book Recommendations:How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie: Click hereRich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: click here$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi: click hereThe Wealthy Gardener by John Soforic: click hereMovie / TV Recommendation:House of David: click here Connect with Sean Wilkinson:Email: sean@hostshare.coLinkedIn: click hereWebsite: click here
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