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Discover how these entrepreneurs achieved success in both business and life, hosted by Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA.
Each week, Alan Olsen invites accomplished individuals to share the secrets behind their success stories. Tune in and be inspired by real-world insights, life lessons, and practical tips you can use to pursue your own American Dream.
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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 guests’ time, he’s able to give access to information and inspiration previously inaccessible to 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, overcome challenges, envision future opportunities, balance work and life, and so much more.
Topics from guests have included:
- Creating purpose in life
- Building a foundation for their life
- Solving problems
- Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service
- Becoming self‑reliant
- Enhancing effective leadership
- Balancing family and work
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world's most successful individuals about their secrets to life's success.
Recent American Dreams Episodes
The Value of Investing | Elaina Serotte
About Elaina Serotte Elaina began her career in 1999 at Morgan Stanley as a sales assistant in the Global High Yield Bond department in New York. In 2002, Elaina moved to MassMutual Financial Group in San Francisco as a Senior Financial Planner. She built her private client group from the ground up, serving over…
Real Estate for Startups | Greg Pickett
About Greg Pickett Utilizing his background in real estate finance and his skills in the areas of communications and analysis, Greg Pickett represents the interests of corporate clients and their real estate needs. Greg specializes in representing tenants in the leasing and disposition of property on the Peninsula and Silicon Valley. Greg has represented…
Jukko – Meaningful Engagement on Mobile | Elizabeth Sarquis
About Elizabeth Sarquis Elizabeth Sarquis is the founder and CEO of Jukko, the first ever mobile discovery platform designed to foster positive social impact. She is also the CEO and founder of Global Gaming Initiative. Elizabeth has worked extensively with United Way, the National Eating Disorders Association, Park Nicollet Health Services, and others to…
Ravel Law | Daniel Lewis
About Daniel Lewis Co-founder and CEO Daniel Lewis has a JD from Stanford Law (’12) and a BA from Johns Hopkins. Prior to law school, he worked as a national energy and transportation policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, DC. Daniel also worked for Senator Barbara Boxer and was a leader of…
Royse Law Firm | Roger Royse
About Roger Royse Roger Royse, the founder of the Royse Law Firm, works with companies ranging from newly formed tech startups to publicly traded multinationals in a variety of industries, including technology, entertainment and new media, sports, real estate and agri-business. Roger regularly advises on complex tax structuring, high stakes business negotiations and large…
Helping Others, Dow Wilson, CEO of Varian Medical Systems
About Dow Wilson Dow R. Wilson varian has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Varian Medical Systems, Inc. since September 29, 2012. Mr. Wilson served as the Chief Operating Officer and served as Corporate Executive Vice President of Varian Medical Systems Inc., from October 2011 to September 2012. He served as a…
Up Your Game – David Bradford, Executive Chairman of Hirevue
About David Bradford Known for accelerating the growth and performance of game-changing organizations, David Bradford is Executive Chairman of HireVue. Bradford is a proven business leader with nearly 30 years of experience, acknowledged by many as a significant contributor to the evolution of information technology. Until April of 2010, Bradford served as CEO of…
Earthly Angels – Pamela Hawley, CEO of UniversalGiving
About Pamela Hawley Pamela Hawley is the founder and CEO of UniversalGiving™ (www.UniversalGiving.org), an award-winning nonprofit helping people to donate and volunteer with top performing, vetted organizations all over the world. 100% goes direct to the cause! All organizations are vetted with a proprietary Quality Model™. UniversalGiving Corporate helps manage global CSR for companies,…
From Smart to Wise – Prasad Kaipa, CEO Coach and Advisor
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…
Wealth Management | Guy Lampard
About Guy Lampard Guy Lampard is a Partner at Aperio Group. Guy is a former Partner at Montgomery Securities and Senior Managing Director at Bank of America Securities—where he worked for 15 years. During his career at Montgomery and Banc of America, his responsibilities included Director of the International Department, Deputy Head of Institutional…
Insurance Factors – Dennis Wolfe, Healthcare Specialist
About Dennis Wolfe Dennis began his insurance career in 1976 and quickly gravitated to the rapidly developing small group benefits market. Almost immediately he wrote the benefit plan for a large interstate restaurant chain. from there he wrote the benefits for a Fortune 500 company. That followed with a total revamping of a major…
Disruptive Startups | Dr. John Garnier
About Dr. John Garnier John is an expert in Business Development, Corporate Division, Small Business Startups and is an International Expert in Silicon Carbide. Additionally he holds a PhD in Materials Science from Marquette University. He is the author of two books through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, technical papers (40+), patents 11+, and more…
American Entrepreneur – Jack Carlisle, Serial Entrepreneur
About Jack Carlisle Jack Carlisle grew up in Utah. He is a serial entrepreneur who has created various businesses over the past 22 years including: a tire store, flight school, catering business, and most recently a pizza restaurant. Interview Transcript of: American Entrepreneur – Jack Carlisle, Serial Entrepreneur Alan Welcome back. I’m here…
The Midas List – Ray Rothrock, Venture Capitalist
About Ray Rothrock Ray joined Venrock, a diversified $2 billion venture capital firm, in 1988 in New York City, and after 25 years and 53 direct investments, his passion for building companies is as strong as ever. He retired from Venrock, June 2013 and continues as a venture capitalist on his own account. Ray…
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs | Dixon Doll
About Dixon Doll For more than 35 years, Dixon Doll has influenced and guided entrepreneurs, investors and executives in the computer and communications industries. In recognition of his accomplishments in venture capital, Dixon received the 2013 Special Achievement Award from the International Business Forum. Dixon was also named by Forbes Magazine as one of…
Inside Wall Street | Tim Sanchez
About Tim Sanchez Tim Sanchez grew up in Oakland, CA. He attended the University of San Francisco where he completed his undergraduate degree in Information Systems Management and dual MBA’s from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Tim has worked…
Community Leadership – Dave Smith, Former Newark Mayor
About Dave Smith Dave Smith grew up in humble circumstances in Michigan. He attended Michigan Tech University and upon graduating college he wound up in the plastics business as an industrial engineer which brought him out to California. In California he quickly became acquainted with the Jaycee’s organization which focused on community service and…
The Future of Venture Capital | Chris DiGiorgio
About Chris DiGiorgio Christopher DiGiorgio is an Executive Research Fellow (emeritus) at the Accenture Institute for High Performance. Before joining the Institute he had responsibility for Accenture’s overall practice in the Bay Area as the Managing Director with over 2300 professionals. Chris also previously led our High Tech practice in the Silicon Valley and lead…
Back to The Roots | Nikhil Arora
About Nikhil Arora Nikhil Arora co-founded Back to the Roots (Oakland, CA) in 2009 as a senior at UC Berkeley and gave up a potential career in consulting to become an urban mushroom farmer. Nikhil oversees the marketing and product development half of the business and along with his co-founder, Alejandro Velez, has led…
Creating a Better World | Steve Persanti
About Steve Persanti Steve Piersanti is president and publisher of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., a leading independent publisher of progressive books on current affairs, personal growth, and business and management. Berrett-Koehler pursues its mission of “Creating a World That Works for All” by publishing groundbreaking books that promote positive change at all levels – individual,…
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“My Path” chronicles Alan Olsen’s personal journey and the transformative insights he’s gained from his acclaimed American Dreams show. Discover inspiring stories, practical advice, and the core values that empower entrepreneurs to achieve their American Dream.
Written by Alan Olsen
Co-Written by Andrew Olsen