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Over 64 Million Views this Year (2024)!
Learn how these entrepreneurs found success in business and life, with Host, Alan Olsen CPA, MBA.
In his weekly show, Alan Olsen invites successful individuals to discuss their career path and share how they were able to find success. These guests share valuable life experiences we all can be inspired from.
Meet Some of Our Guests
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Key's to Life's Success
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business. Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind. The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most. They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
Topics from guest have included:
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world's most successful individuals about their secrets to life's success.
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Recent American Dreams Episodes
ModuleQ | David Brunner
About David Brunner In 2011 David Brunner founded ModuleQ, a SAS based company to prevent knowledge workers from being overloaded with information. Before founding ModuleQ, David received a PhD from Harvard University in Information, Technology & Management, a joint program integrating business and computer science. Upon Graduating from Harvard, he worked with the CIO…
Social Investing | Richard Swart
About Richard Swart Richard Swart is the Chief Strategy Officer of NextGen Crowdfunding. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, he also serves as a member of the University of Cambridge’s Alternative Financing Industry Board. Richard is also a founding board member of the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) and the Crowdfunding…
Why Structure Is the Enemy of Innovation | Richard Dasher
About Richard Dasher Richard Dasher has been Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center since 1994 and served concurrently as Executive Director of the Center for Integrated Systems since 1998. He holds Consulting Professor appointments in Electrical Engineering (technology management), Asian Languages (Japanese business), and at the GSB (with the Stanford Program on Regions…
Inspiring a Sustainable Future Through Storytelling | Rita Whitney
About Rita Whitney Rita joined the Board in June 2010 and serves on the Mission Fulfillment Committee. She is CEO of Ravivant LLC, a Board member of United States Fencing Association (Central California Division) and Executive Director of the Stanford Fencing Association. Having grown up in New York City, Rita observed many situations where…
What Venture Capitalists Want | Wally Hawley
About Wally Hawley Wally Hawley is a co-founder of InterWest Partners (1979), one of the larger venture capital partnerships in the United States, formed to make equity investments in diversified U.S. growth companies. His prior experience includes seven years as President of SHV North America Holding Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of a Netherlands…
Venture Capital’s Role in Nuclear Science | Ray Rothrock
About Ray Rothrock As a venture capitalist for more than two decades, Ray has assisted entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams and produced outstanding financial returns for his limited partners. He has personally discovered, created and guided more than 50 companies in the Venrock portfolio through their early stages of formation and emerging growth. Beginning…
Doing the Tough Things First | Ray Zinn
About Ray Zinn Ray Zinn is a co-founder of the Company Micrel and has been its President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of its Board of Directors since the Company’s inception in 1978. As our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zinn gives the Board of Directors insight and in-depth knowledge of the semiconductor industry and…
Todays China | Nicholas Hope
About Nicholas Hope Nicholas Hope is the Director of the Stanford Center for International Development (SCID). He also directs SCID’s China research program. His current research is private enterprise development in China and progress of reforms in China, especially in the financial sector. His interests are in East Asian economies, especially China and Indonesia,…
Why Are True Leaders Rare? | Jonathan Coslet
About Jonathan Coslet Jonathan Coslet has been with TPG Capital since it started in 1993. Currently he is the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and serves on TPG’s Executive Committee. Jonathan graduated Valedictorian from the Wharton School of Business where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Economics and Finance. He received his MBA from…
Silicon Valley’s Bubble- What Happens When It Bursts? | Montgomery Kersten
About Montgomery (Monty) Kersten Montgomery Kersten serves development-stage companies as an independent board member, investor and advisor. Mr. Kersten was the co-founder & CEO of VitalSigns Software (later acquired), and serves as the independent board member of Silicon Valley private companies. He has worked for 35 years as an executive in sales, marketing, business…
Scott McNealy- What Projects I’m Currently Working On
About Scott McNealy- Silicon Valley Icon Scott McNealy co-founded Sun Microsystems, Inc.in 1982, serving as Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman for over 22 years. During his tenure, McNealy transformed Sun from a Silicon Valley start-up to a leading provider of network computing. In October 2011, McNealy announced his next venture, Wayin. Wayin offers…
Philanthropy is Love | Pamela Hawley
Transcript, Philanthropy is Love | Pamela Hawley: Pamela Hawley: Philanthropy. I think the way people look at it today isn’t really correct. They look at it as giving of money. But really what it is is people, it’s the love of people. It’s all about people. It’s about the love of humanity. So what I…
Real Audio Video | Johnathan Law
About Johnathan Law Johnathan Law received his formal education in culinary arts. While recovering from a car accident he found he built himself a home theater system- when his family and friends wanted one as well, he decided that it was more fun than working in food services. Johnathan is the cofounder of Real…
How to Change the Culture of an Organization | Prasad Kaipa
About Prasad Kaipa Prasad has been an advisor and coach focusing on innovation and leadership since 1990 for about 120 C-level executives in Global Fortune 500 companies. Prasad’s unique competence is in helping his clients find their next significant step and take it. He found that unless he helps clients to examine their signature…
Legacy of Service | Cliff Dochterman
About Cliff Dochterman Cliff Dochterman served as the World President of Rotary International from 1992-1993. His professional career was spent in the field of higher education administration. As a youth, being motivated by his brother, Cliff became part of the Boy Scouts of America where he obtained the rank of Eagle scout. He has…
Where does Happiness Come From? | Richard Del Monte
About Richard Del Monte Richard is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Wealth Consultant, and nationally recognized expert on Families and Wealth. Richard has been featured on FOX Business News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Private Opportunities Club, Private Wealth Magazine, Trust & Estates, and Family Wealth Report. A sought after speaker, he…
The Future of Health Care | McKay Thomas
About McKay Thomas Since he was in high school, McKay Thomas has been an entrepreneur. Some of his companies have been, pooltables.com, baby.com and ainda.com Currently he is the co-founder and CEO of First Opinion, a company which matches a personal doctor to to their clients that they can contact 24 hours a day.…
Attention Triggers | Ben Parr
About Ben Parr Ben Parr is an award-winning journalist, author, entrepreneur, investor and expert on attention. Through his unique experience as a leading technology writer, venture capitalist and prolific public speaker, Parr has coached dozens of young startups and Fortune 500 corporations on how to get attention for their products. He was named one…
Beyond Baseball | Vida Blue
About Vida Blue Six time All Star, 3 time world series champion, MVP and Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue is quite a Baseball legend. Listen to his first hand experiences of what it’s like to play professional baseball and what’s the legend doing today? Interview Transcript: Alan Welcome back. I’m here today…
Disrupting The Aerospace Defense Industry with Additive Manufacturing | Kenneth Epstein
About Kenneth Epstein Ken is a principal with NewCap Partners & brings 20+years of investment banking & venture management experience, including P&L responsibility for both major business units and startups. His diverse client base includes private & family-owned businesses, strategic equity investors, large corporate venture funds, & material, high-tech & life science firms. Ken’s transaction…
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“My Path” is about Alan Olsen’s personal life experiences and his reflections from his highly rated Silicon Valley radio show and podcast, “American Dreams”. He discusses the people he interviewed, and the common values they all shared to create their own American Dream.
Written by Alan Olsen
Co-Written by Andrew Olsen