Guest: Karie Cowden, Founder of Connect the Dots Promotions

Host: Jamie Seeker

In this episode of What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Karie Cowden, the founder of Connect the Dots Promotions, a company that merges creativity with social impact through promotional products. Karie shares her inspiring journey from a surprising start in the industry to nearly three decades of running her business, working with major brands like Walmart and Boeing. She talks about the importance of social responsibility, sustainability, and giving back to the community, touching on her involvement in PromoCares and her innovative work with UMOM, a local homeless shelter, where she helped set a Guinness World Record.

1. Karie's Entrepreneurial Journey: How Karie transitioned from an unexpected job in promotional marketing to building her own business.
2. Social Responsibility in Business: The role of sustainability and mindful product choices in promotional marketing.
3. Community Involvement: Karie’s work with PromoCares and local charities, including her unique Guinness World Record event for UMOM.
4. Balancing Growth and Purpose: Insights into how Karie navigates challenges in maintaining profitability while staying committed to social good.
5. Pivoting and Future Goals: Karie discusses recent shifts in her business structure and her new role with Campus Stop, a company in the collegiate space.

• "We need to leave the world better than we found it." – Karie Cowden on the importance of sustainability in promotional products.
• "Sometimes your competitors are your best allies when it comes to making a real difference." – Karie on working with PromoCares.
• "You're allowed to change your mind, and when you find your purpose, that's where the magic happens." – Karie reflecting on her business pivots.

• Website: ctdpromotions.com
• Instagram: @ctdpromotions
• Facebook: Connect the Dots Promotions
• LinkedIn: Karie Cowden

Guest:

Shannon Englert, Founder and Managing Attorney at DYAD Immigration Law

Summary:

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Shannon Englert, the visionary founder of DYAD Immigration Law. Shannon shares her inspiring journey from working as a translator to becoming a managing attorney, driven by a passion for helping businesses and families navigate the complex world of U.S. immigration law. She opens up about the challenges of running a mission-driven law firm, focusing on sensitive cases like visas for trafficking and domestic violence survivors, and the lessons learned along the way. Shannon's story is one of perseverance, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of her clients.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Journey from Translation to Immigration Law: Shannon explains how her early career as a translator opened her eyes to the needs of immigrants, ultimately leading her to law school and founding DYAD Immigration Law.
2. Connection to Immigration Through Personal Experience: Shannon discusses how her experience as an exchange student in Chile with a visa issue sparked a lifelong passion for immigration law.
3. Handling Emotionally Challenging Cases: Shannon talks about how DYAD helps clients in sensitive situations, such as trafficking and domestic violence survivors, by shifting the narrative from victimhood to empowerment.
4. Challenges in U.S. Immigration Law: The complexities of U.S. immigration law and the emotional and legal hurdles faced by individuals attempting to navigate the system.
5. Building a Mission-Driven Team: Shannon shares how DYAD recruits and retains employees by aligning them with the firm’s core values, ensuring that everyone is committed to the mission of helping others.

Memorable Quotes:

• "I realized that immigration isn't easy. We think it is when we’re born here, but for many, it’s a complex, high-stakes process."
• "We don't treat our clients as victims—that’s something that happened, but it doesn't define them."
• "Action and no excuses—it’s what it takes to build a mission-driven business. You have to be willing to fail and learn from it quickly."

Actionable Takeaways:

• Empowerment through Law: Focusing on clients' strengths and helping them overcome challenges through strategic legal support can be life-changing, both emotionally and legally.
• Aligning Your Team with Your Mission: Surround yourself with employees who share your vision and are committed to the company’s core values.
• No Excuses, Just Action: Shannon emphasizes that success requires relentless action, even if it means failing and learning along the way.

Connect with Shannon Englert:

• Website: dyadlaw.com
• Instagram: @dyadlaw
• Facebook: DYAD Immigration Law
• YouTube: DYAD Immigration Law
• TikTok: @dyadlaw

Listen Now: [Insert podcast platform link]

Tune in to hear Shannon's inspiring story and gain insights into what it takes to build a mission-driven business in one of the most challenging areas of law.

Guest:

Hunter Cambon, COO of Page One Digital

Summary:

In this episode, Host Jamie Seeker sits down with Hunter Cambon, the Chief Operating Officer at Page One Digital, to explore his unique journey from being an educator to running a successful digital marketing agency. Hunter shares how his skills in problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability, honed in the classroom, translated into scaling Page One Digital alongside his wife and CEO, Kimberly. The discussion dives into the challenges of working as a husband-and-wife team, building scalable systems in digital marketing, and the importance of continuously evaluating strengths to find the right "seat on the bus."

Key Discussion Points:

1. Transition from Education to Digital Marketing: Hunter discusses his journey from leading an English department to taking on the COO role at Page One Digital, focusing on his skillset shift from teaching to SEO and digital strategy.
2. Navigating Change and Problem Solving: Hunter shares insights on how his problem-solving abilities as an educator have helped him in business leadership, especially in managing teams and creating efficient systems.
3. Working as a Husband-and-Wife Team: The dynamic of running a business with his wife, Kimberly, and how they navigate the challenges of balancing work and personal life.
4. Continuous Learning and Flexibility: Hunter emphasizes the importance of being adaptable, continuously learning, and remaining open to feedback—whether in a classroom or managing a business.
5. Overcoming Business Challenges: Hunter reveals the hurdles faced while scaling Page One Digital, such as hiring the right people and adapting to industry changes, and how academic experiences prepared him for these challenges.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Know your role and play to your strengths."
• "If you’re not doing what the successful people around you are doing, it might be time to start thinking about it."
• "Flexibility is key—whether you're teaching students or managing a team, you have to meet people where they are."

Actionable Takeaways:

• Always evaluate your strengths and ensure you’re in the right "seat on the bus" when running a business.
• Don’t be afraid to seek advice from those ahead of you—successful people are often happy to share their insights.
• Flexibility and openness to change are critical for both personal and business growth.

Connect with Hunter Cambon:

• Website: pageonedigital.com
• Email: hunter@pageonedigital.com

Tune in to learn more about Hunter’s inspiring journey and how he continues to grow Page One Digital by applying lessons learned from his days as an educator!

Host: Jamie Seeker

Guests: Andrea Hannibal, Brianna Dalton, Kristin Byers

Brought to you by: Seeker Solution

Episode Summary:

In this inaugural episode of What It Takes, Jamie Seeker and her team introduce the podcast, which is designed for business owners and entrepreneurs. Jamie and her team share the vision behind the show, aiming to connect business owners and share real, unfiltered stories about the challenges and successes they face. This episode sets the stage for what’s to come by giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the SeekerSolution team, their roles, and what motivated Jamie to create this space for business owners.

Key Takeaways:

• Podcast Vision: Jamie Seeker created What It Takes to combat the sense of isolation many business owners experience. The podcast will feature entrepreneurs and decision-makers who openly share their stories, challenges, and wins to inspire others.
• Target Audience: Business owners and entrepreneurs with growing teams, particularly those generating around seven figures in annual revenue, and those in transition from solopreneurs to managing larger teams.
• What Listeners Can Expect: Authentic conversations with business owners about startup journeys, overcoming feelings of overwhelm, navigating company growth, and actionable steps for personal and professional development.
• Guest Profiles: Entrepreneurs at various stages of business growth—from those beginning to recognize the need for operational changes, to those actively managing transitions, and leaders who have successfully navigated these phases.

Notable Quotes:

• "You’re really not alone. There’s a whole community of business owners that are doing these things every day that are feeling the same things you’re feeling."
• "Our show is about business owners telling all—the good, the bad, and everything in between. By hearing others’ stories, you might not feel as alone and can learn how to avoid obstacles they’ve already overcome."

Connect with SeekerSolution:

• Visit: seekersolution.com
• Apply to be a Guest: Click the podcast link on the homepage to apply if you’re a business owner who wants to share your journey.

Call to Action:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed as a business owner, SeekerSolution is here to help. Schedule a call today at seekersolution.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for future episodes with incredible guests sharing valuable insights into their entrepreneurial journeys.

🎉 Welcome to What It Takes with Jamie Seeker!

Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and enlightened by real stories from entrepreneurs who know what it takes to succeed. In this trailer episode, we’re sharing highlights from our first interviews, where our incredible guests open up about their biggest lessons, toughest challenges, and proudest victories.

Whether it’s navigating uncertainty, celebrating growth, or finding balance along the way, What It Takes promises to deliver authentic, actionable, and heartfelt conversations to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.

🔥 Official launch coming Dec 5! Follow and subscribe now so you won’t miss the first full episode.

💡 It’s not just about the destination — it’s about the journey. Let’s find out what it takes!