In this episode of the Mastering the Hustle Interview Series, host Joel Calkins sits down with Anand Vadapalli, President and CEO of Light Curve, a leading broadband and internet provider in Washington State. Anand shares his journey from starting his telecom career at Cincinnati Bell to becoming CEO of Alaska Communications, and now leading Light Curve. He discusses the critical role broadband plays in modern life, especially in underserved communities, and the strategic growth of Light Curve through acquisitions and organic expansion. Anand also delves into the challenges and successes of merging teams and building a strong, unified company culture in the wake of acquisitions. This insightful conversation highlights the importance of digital infrastructure and the impact it has on economic development and community well-being. Whether you’re interested in leadership, business growth strategies, or the future of digital connectivity, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Key Topics Discussed: Anand's career path in telecom, from Cincinnati Bell to Alaska Communications, and now Light Curve. The importance of broadband in today's digital age, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The strategic acquisitions of Rainier Connect and Washington operations of Consolidated Communications by Light Curve. The process of building a high-performing enterprise and the vision behind Light Curve's growth strategy. The challenges and learnings from merging teams and creating a unified company culture. Insights into the future of digital infrastructure and its role in economic development. Notable Quotes: "High-quality broadband is not just about streaming and having fun on the Internet. It's critical to economic development and employment in communities." "Acquiring two companies created the foundation for what we want to do going forward – to bring fiber to many communities in Washington State." "Building a great team and providing critical infrastructure like broadband is a compelling reason to lead these operations." Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Mastering the Hustle Interview Series for more insightful conversations with industry leaders. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with your network! Follow Us: Website: https://www.joelcalkinsfocalpointcoaching.com/ Connect with Anand Vadapalli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avadapalli/ Connect with Joel Calkins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcalkins/

Introduction: • Host: Joel Calkins • Guest: Nathan Bosseler, President and Co-founder of Castus Corporation • Duration: 16:30 ________________________________________ 00:00 - 02:00 • Introduction: Joel introduces Nathan, discussing his background in video production and the inception of Castus Corporation. • Nathan explains his journey from video production enthusiast to founding Castus Corporation to meet the broadcasting needs of TV stations and municipalities. ________________________________________ 02:00 - 06:00 • Origins of Castus Corporation: o Nathan recounts his transition from video production to recognizing the need for advanced broadcasting technology. o Describes initial challenges and the pivotal decision to start Castus Corporation with co-founder Jonathan Campbell. o Highlights the role of customer feedback in shaping Castus' innovative solutions. ________________________________________ 06:00 - 10:00 • Challenges and Growth: o Discusses the transition from creative video production to software development. o Nathan shares the challenges of learning new skills and managing early business growth. o Emphasizes the importance of finding the right partner and overcoming initial technical hurdles. ________________________________________ 10:00 - 14:00 • Building a Team and Instilling Vision: o Nathan reflects on scaling Castus Corporation and the challenges of communicating a vision to employees. o Discusses the entrepreneurial journey, sacrifices made, and lessons learned in building a successful enterprise. o Highlights the importance of mutual trust and investment in team members to achieve company goals. ________________________________________ 14:00 - 16:30 • Future Outlook and Closing: o Nathan shares his optimism for the future of Castus Corporation and the ongoing innovation in broadcast technologies. o Concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the value of persistence in achieving business success. ________________________________________ Key Themes: • Entrepreneurial journey from passion to enterprise. • Importance of customer feedback in product development. • Challenges of transitioning from creative arts to technology development. • Building a cohesive team and instilling a shared vision. • Lessons in persistence and adapting to business challenges. ________________________________________ Closing Remarks: • Joel thanks Nathan for sharing his insights and concludes the interview. ________________________________________ Additional Information: • Guest Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-bosseler-b2b17b4/ • Website: https://castus.tv/

Introduction: In this episode of "Master in the Hustle," host Joel Calkins sits down with Meghana, CEO and co-founder of Extra Slice, to explore her entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of office space solutions. Key Highlights: From Tech to Office Space: Meghana shares her transition from working with tech giants like IBM and Microsoft to co-founding Extra Slice, driven by a personal need for flexible office space solutions. Pivoting During COVID-19: Learn how Extra Slice adapted its business model in response to the pandemic, leveraging real-time data and customer insights to stay agile in a rapidly changing market. Authentic Leadership: Meghana discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, integrating personal values and cultural background into company culture to foster inclusivity and drive innovation. Challenges and Learnings: Insights into the misconceptions about running a business and the continuous learning curve of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life. Future of Workspace Solutions: Explore Meghana's vision for the future of office space, emphasizing innovation, resilience, and sustainability in meeting evolving business needs. Conclusion: Join us for a captivating conversation on innovation, resilience, and authentic leadership with Meghana, and discover how Extra Slice is shaping the future of office space solutions.