My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

Founder / Brand Queen Rosie Kosinski Waited Too Long to Get a Coach

Founder of Shattered Pencil Studios
Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake160
My guest for Episode #160 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rosie Kosinski. She is what she calls the Brand Queen and Founder of Shattered Pencil Studios, a brand design & development boutique. She straddles the line between creative and strategic, artistic and scientific.
Raised by entrepreneurs and artists in a nomadic environment that took her through Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, Rosie is a global citizen through and through. She taps into this mosaic of perspectives to deeply understand the people she serves and to help them connect with the people they serve.
In today's episode, Rosie shares her “favorite mistake” story about “waiting too long to get a coach.” How did she go from being skeptical about the idea to working with a coach for years?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Learning to value her work — the Sandler Selling System
Why she learned to quote a price and “shut the hell up”
More about what you learned about being a branding design coach?
Do people confuse a logo with a brand?
Mistakes that people make when it comes to branding?? Other than being cheap? Micromanaging the process?
Blog post about Brand Clarity in Seven Questions
5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Became A Founder
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Sales Expert Glenn Poulos Was the Last to Know That He Was Impossible to Reach

Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake159
My guest for Episode #159 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Glenn Poulos, the cofounder, vice president, and general manager of Gap Wireless Inc., a leading distributor for the mobile broadband wireless and test and measurement equipment markets. Gap Wireless Inc. was recently acquired by Network Wireless Solutions.
With over three decades of experience in sales, Glenn has spent thousands of hours in the field or on the phone with customers and working with salespeople to help create several very successful companies.
After entering the sales field in 1985 as a technical sales rep, Glenn founded his first company, mmWave Technologies Inc., in 1991 and simultaneously served as president of Anritsu Electronics Ltd. for nine years.
Using his extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, he lectures groups on sales strategy, consumerism, and what motivates people at a raw emotional level.
His new book is titled NEVER SIT IN THE LOBBY… 57 Winning Sales Factors to Grow a Business and Build a Career Selling.
In today's episode, Glenn shares his “favorite mistake” story about being the last to know that it was difficult (if not impossible) for employees to reach. Why did that unsolicited feedback “sting” and what did Glenn do to adjust going forward?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Learned to ask people for feedback??
Mistakes in the selling of the first company?
Never forget a face
What is “greed-based learning” when it comes to sales?
When to Stop Compromising with Your Customer – and What to Do Instead?? – can you give us an example?
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Innovation Expert Karen Hold’s Telcom Bubble Burst — How Did She Diversify?

Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake158
My guest for Episode #158 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Karen Hold. She is the Founder of Experience Labs and her work is grounded in a core belief that design thinking provides an enabling social technology that facilitates adaptation and effective problem-solving in complex social systems.
Karen began her career in business and strategy on the Folgers Coffee brand team in the early 90s (part of Proctor & Gamble) — influenced by the work of Tom Peters, who was my guest in Episode 58.
She is one of the authors of the Book: Experiencing Design: The Innovator's Journey from Columbia Business School Publishing.
In today's episode, Karen shares her “favorite mistake” story about having all of her professional eggs in the telecom industry basket. What did she learn about the need to diversify when all of her customers went bankrupt? What actions did she take to move forward in a better way?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Being more intentional about diversifying in what to do next?
Folgers experience? Lessons from learning brand management?
The influence of Tom Peters? In Search of Excellence
A family of designers Who were some of your key mentors? Grandfather Leroy Grumman…
Leroy Grumman: “A rough answer to the right question is better than a detailed answer to the wrong question.”
How does that idea connect to entrepreneurship, innovation?
“Effective problem solving in complex social systems?”
What is a complex social system?
How does Design thinking help with customer understanding and problem solving?
“From ego centricity to empathy”
Why is “the discovery process” so important, something to dive deeply into, before we start testing products or services?
Can you apply the lessons from the book to the writing of the book?
“Test your way to success” — peer review for an academic book
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Historian Denis Crawford on Sports Ownership Mistakes; Will the New USFL Avoid Repeating Mistakes?

My guest for Episode #157 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Denis Crawford, a historian who is the author of books including his latest, The Life and Teams of Johnny F. Bassett: Maverick Entrepreneur of North American Sports.
Episode page, video, transcript and more: https://markgraban.com/mistake157
Denis M. Crawford holds a PhD in American Studies, teaches at Youngstown State University, and is managing editor for “The Coffin Corner,” the official magazine of the Professional Football Researchers Association. He is an honorary member of the Bucs UK, the largest American football fan club in the United Kingdom, and a 2010 inductee to the Bucs UK Hall of Fame.
Denis is also my uncle — even though he's just a few years older than me.
In today's episode, Denis shares his “favorite mistake” story about not taking advantage of sports journalism internships in college. Why did his young “arrogance” get in the way of his dream of becoming a play-by-play announcer? We talk about what Denis learned and we talk about some of the mistakes made by Johnny Bassett as a professional sports owner.
Part of the conversation looks back at the original USFL — and some of the battles between Bassett and Donald Trump (then-owner of the New Jersey Generals). With the new USFL launching this week, will the league manage to prevent its past mistakes?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Bassett’s biggest mistakes? And I ask this realizing that he was generally the most successful owner in failed leagues…
When he owned the Toronto Toros, what was the worst mistake that he could have made?
Mistakes in overpaying players behind budgets or salary caps…
Bassett seemed determine to avoid repeating mistakes from the WFL (and WHA) — how did the USFL end up undermining that?
Trump the businessman… decided to move the league to the fall to compete directly with the NFL
Did you get to read the letter Bassett sent to Trump?
You got to interview Wayne Gretzky and some other Hall of Fame athletes — did you have jitters?
A new version of the USFL (or at least a rebranded Spring League) will launch April 16 2022… If the original USFL didn’t learn from Johnny Bassett’s WFL mistakes, will they avoid repeating the same mistakes this time?
How have leagues like MLS and the WNBA avoided the fate of Bassett’s leagues and others?
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Engineer/Coach Rachell Kitchen Thought She Could Be a Superwoman Early in Her Career

My guest for Episode #156 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rachell Kitchen. She is an Author, Certified Professional Life & Transition Coach; ICF Associate Certified Coach, and Professional Speaker.
Episode page and links (with video and transcript): https://markgraban.com/mistake156
She graduated college with a B.S. degree in Industry & Technology and enjoyed a career as an Industrial Engineer.
Rachell is the author of a Book: Doubt Your Doubts: How to Transform Negative Self-Talk, Take Action and Confidently Create Your Dream Life.
And she has a FREE eCourse called Grow, Expand, Thrive (GET),
In today's episode, Rachell shares her “favorite mistake” story about being a young engineer (the only minority woman in the group) and how she “ended up on the bathroom floor at work” crying as the result of the stress of trying to have a daughter and a career. How did getting a coach help her? Why is it a mistake to not ask for help? We talk about what she's learned along the way and more.
We also talk about questions and topics including:
What were your adjustments career wise?
Letting life create her instead of creating her life?
Tell us about the book — why did you write it?
What is “negative self talk” and why is it so common in our heads?
What’s your “gremlin”? Do we all have one?
How can we recognize doubts and negative self talk?
At what point are doubts helpful (in terms of being cautious about something – maybe avoiding mistakes) and when do doubts get in the way?
What is your “dream life” and are you making progress on that, Rachell?
Find Rachell on social media:
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Instagram
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CEO Rebecca Contreras Talks About Her Mistakes as a Young Woman, Working as a White House Staffer

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake155
My guest for Episode #155 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rebecca Contreras. She is President & CEO of AvantGarde LLC, an SBA certified 8a and Women Owned Small Business firm she co-founded as Majority Partner in May 2011. Her firm offers a “one stop shop” approach to addressing complex organizational, people and technology needs.
Rebecca Contreras is the author of the book Lost Girl – From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire Entrepreneur, which recounts her journey from becoming a welfare-dependent teenage mother to advising a sitting president, to driving a successful 100-person company.
Rebecca is a social and business entrepreneur who started her fifteen-year service in government in a welfare-to-work program for Texas icon Ann Richards.
Rebecca then spent nearly twelve years working with George W. Bush, first in Texas as his Director of HR then in the White House as a Commissioned Officer supporting the Presidential transition, followed by other roles in D.C.
In today's episode, Rebecca shares her “favorite mistake” story about trying to move past some mistakes she made as a young woman. When she was becoming part of the White House staff, she was open and transparent about her past mistakes — was it a “crapshoot” that might not have turned out well? How did Rebecca move past her early mistakes, including dropping out of high school and becoming a teen mom?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Mentoring and coaching girls today
When President Bush called you to serve, why did you have imposter syndrome? How did you recognize that and get past it?
West Wing protocol mistakes?
Tell us more about the book
Tell us about your firm… who you serve and how
What is it like being the CEO of a minority- and woman-owned consulting firm working in a male-dominated industry?
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CTO Scott Hirsch Learned That Free Wasn’t the Best Price for His Software

CTO of TalentMarketplace.ca
Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake154
My guest for Episode #154 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Scott Hirsch, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at the HR platform Talent Marketplace. With work experience combining business administration and computer science, Scott's passions lie in enabling business processes through the innovative use of technology.
In today's episode, Scott shares his “favorite mistake” story about setting the beta version of their platform as free. They launched the platform for free and “got almost no response.” Once they put a fee to it, clients started coming in, as Scott tells us. How did they decide their initial pricing was a mistake?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
“Freemium model”??
Which way would we rather be wrong?
Hiring challenges right now?
The search for talent in a tight market?
Does the data bring particular insights?
Increase in remote work?
Find Scott or his company on social media:
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
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Psychologist Dr. Nicole Lipkin Had a Bad Feeling But Hired Hope Anyway

CEO, clinical and organizational psychologist
My guest for Episode #153 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Nicole Lipkin, an internationally recognized clinical and organizational psychologist, executive coach, and keynote speaker.
Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake153
Nicole is the author of two popular leadership books: Y In the Workplace: Managing the “Me First” Generation and What Keeps Leaders Up At Night: Recognizing and Resolving Your Most Troubling Management Issues.
She is the CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, a leadership and organizational development firm. In terms of education, she earned a doctoral in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ). Nicole is also the founder and CEO of HeyKiddo, a company dedicated to helping adults gain better control over their children’s mental, social and emotional health through technology.
She recently exited her first company, Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services. Nicole is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and has shared her expertise on NPR, NBC, Entrepreneur.com, NY Times Magazine, CBS and other media outlets. She lives in Philly with her husband, Matt, her toddler, Charlie, and her chunky cat, El Guapo Meatball (who makes an appearance in the episode!).
In today's episode, Nicole shares her “favorite mistake” story about having a “bad feeling” but hiring “Hope” (not her real name) anyway. Why was it a “punch in the gut” when Hope quit three months later? Did Nicole feel like she failed as a coach and as a leader? What lessons did she learn from these experiences?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Is it a mistake to not follow your gut during interviewing or during the first month??
What keeps you up at night? How can we AVOID sleep trouble?
How do we build psychological safety? How much is the leader’s responsibility?
Psychological safety – talking about it vs doing the behaviors??
How different is Gen Y?? Different influences and experiences?
Tell us about Equilibria Leadership Consulting — who is your ideal client and why do they hire you?
Tell us about HeyKiddo — building emotional wellness using technology
Find Nicole on social media:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
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Coach John Gallagher Had the Ego to Think He Could Change His Mother-in-Law Real Estate Partner

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake152
My guest for Episode #152 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John Gallagher. He is an executive coach, mentor, and consultant. He is the Founder and CEO of Growing Champions, LLC.
He's also the host of the podcast “The Uncommon Leader” — and I was his guest there! He was also previously my guest on my Lean Blog Interviews podcast series.
Before starting his company, John worked as a consultant for a decade, after being an operations manager and a division president for two different companies.
In today's episode, John shares his “favorite mistake” story about the time he got into the real estate business and thought he could change how a key business partner operated. And that partner was his mother-in-law. Why did he make this mistake? How did he adjust and how did he survive?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
What is “Lean”?
Why were you excited about bringing this to real estate?
Focusing on strengths instead of problems?
Having a process when “every home sale is unique”?
Tell us about the podcast…
Common leadership mistakes that you wish were uncommon?
Are they uncommon because they avoid leadership problems or because they have certain strengths?
Being able to admit when they’re wrong… that’s uncommon — humility is required
Creating an environment where it’s safe to talk about mistakes?
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Author & CEO Lauren Eckhardt Chose Business Partners That Didn’t Share her Values

My guest for Episode #151 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Lauren Eckhardt, the CEO and Founder of Burning Soul Press.
Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake151
An award-winning, and best-selling author and ghostwriter, she is passionate about helping impact-driven souls capture their life story in a book-led movement that changes lives.
Lauren founded Burning Soul Press in 2020, after 12 years in the human resources field, to work with aspiring and career authors in pursuit of sharing a powerful and deeply impactful story or message.
In today's episode, Lauren shares her “favorite mistake” story working with a business partner that didn't share her values. How did she discover the mistake? How did she repeat the mistake with another company before being able to put this behind her?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Trying too hard to learn from other entrepreneurs, vs. figuring it out yourself?
“Best seller” — a very loose definition??? Yes
Helping somebody self-publish… doesn’t literally mean “self”
“Empowerment Publishing”
Being a book coach vs full ghostwriter
What’s the origin of the Burning Soul Press name?
Being a good storyteller? A better storyteller??
What is the SoulWriter Society?
Helping somebody write the book and helping them sell the book? Equally important?
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