Episode Summary
In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim chats with Gerry Hays, the visionary founder of Doriot, who’s on a mission to democratize startup investing through his game-changing model: VentureStaking™. Broadcasting from his basement in Bloomington, Indiana, Gerry shares how he turned a frustrating experience raising capital into a 7-year quest to redesign the way innovation gets funded. You’ll hear how he’s helping everyday people gain a financial stake in the startups of tomorrow—without needing deep pockets or Silicon Valley connections.
Who is Gerry Hays?
Gerry Hays is a serial founder, educator, and creator of the patent-pending financial model, VentureStaking™. With over 25 years of experience launching and exiting companies, teaching entrepreneurial finance at Indiana University, and mentoring founders globally, Gerry’s passion is opening doors to venture investing for the 99%. He also authored The First-Time Founder’s Equity Bible, built the wildly popular Fantasy Startup® simulation, and developed the QAI certification to give everyday investors an on-ramp into private markets. Through Doriot, Gerry is unlocking startup ownership for a new generation of backers — all from the comfort of home.
Connect with Gerry Hays:
Website: https://www.doriot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doriot/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerryhays/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doriot_venture
Host Contact Details:
Website: https://workathomerockstar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar
Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction: Meet Gerry Hays, CEO of Doriot, and the concept of venture staking
01:00 — Story of Success: How imagination sparked a 25-year entrepreneurial journey
04:15 — Lessons from Failure: Financial hurdles and the power of faith
07:00 — Mindset Matters: Why emotional resilience fuels long-term growth
11:30 — Organic Growth: Human connection, community, and trusting the process
18:40 — Tools & Practices: Staying even-keeled, planting mental seeds, and using marketing to grow
26:00 — Guest Solo: A new system of capital creation for the 99%, not just the elite
31:00 — Global Reach: Launching arenas for grassroots investment and problem solving
35:00 — Final Thoughts: Inspiration for aspiring founders and how to learn more
In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim chats with Al Kushner, award-winning author and LinkedIn strategist, about how entrepreneurs can use AI to supercharge their LinkedIn presence. Al reveals how tools like ChatGPT and Canva can elevate your personal brand, create customized content, and build stronger connections — without pitch-slapping your network. He even shares how he built an AI-powered advisory board modeled after his favorite business leaders. If you're ready to stop blending in and start standing out on LinkedIn, this episode’s for you.
Al Kushner is an award-winning author and celebrated LinkedIn growth strategist known for his innovative use of AI to enhance digital networking. His book The AI LinkedIn Advantage helps professionals boost their presence, grow meaningful connections, and turn their profiles into high-converting personal brands. Through LinkedVantage.com, Al empowers clients with evergreen strategies that make LinkedIn a powerful business tool.
Website: https://www.linkedvantage.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-kushner/
Website: https://workathomerockstar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar
Email: tim@workathomerockstar.com
[00:35] Al’s story of success and launching his book
[02:15] Why AI is a game-changer for LinkedIn
[05:00] The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make on LinkedIn
[08:30] How to add value without being spammy
[14:40] AI as your personal coach — and how to build an AI advisory board
[19:00] Al’s top tools for entrepreneurs (Canva, ChatGPT, and more)
[29:00] Al’s Guest Solo: The LinkedIn strategies that really work
[33:50] Where to get The AI LinkedIn Advantage
Rocking Business Success with J.M. Fields
WHR 3.236: How to Create a Championship Culture in Your Business
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim Melanson jams with J.M. Fields, owner of Mav Mic Solutions, LLC. J.M. shares his journey from decades as a corporate controller to becoming a performance and business coach, helping entrepreneurs and companies improve efficiency, save money, and build winning cultures. He talks about a client success story that saved $150,000 in insurance costs, lessons learned from letting ego drive decisions, and how the principles of sports coaching apply directly to business. With stories from his book The Bucket List Coach, J.M. offers actionable advice on aligning actions with goals, building a strong team, and finding mentors and coaches to elevate your game.
Who is J.M. Fields?
J.M. Fields is a business and performance coach with over thirty years of experience as a controller for companies ranging from $4 million to $100 million. In 2022, he transitioned full-time into coaching, working with business owners to improve performance, find cost savings, and implement effective training. He is the author of The Bucket List Coach: How to Create a High Performance Championship Culture in Your Business and is passionate about blending lessons from sports and business to help clients achieve extraordinary results.
Connect with J.M. Fields:
Website: https://www.thebucketlistcoach.com
Host Contact Details:
Website: https://workathomerockstar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar
Email: tim@workathomerockstar.com
In this Episode:
00:29 — Story of saving a client $150K in insurance costs
02:11 — Lessons from a costly bank switch and avoiding “arrogance over intellect”
07:04 — Why practice matters in business, not just in sports
10:24 — Aligning actions with goals and setting meaningful objectives
18:40 — Career transitions and leveraging transferable skills
20:36 — The power of building a supportive team
25:55 — The “Greater Fool” concept for hiring loyal, committed team members
28:29 — Why even coaches need coaches
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim Melanson chats with Yosi Amram, psychologist, CEO leadership coach, and best-selling author. Yosi shares his incredible journey from founding two companies and taking them public, to facing personal and professional setbacks that led to a spiritual awakening. He now helps clients reconnect with their calling through spiritual intelligence, psychotherapy, and leadership coaching. You’ll hear actionable insights on resilience, intuition, and building a meaningful business that aligns with your soul.
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Who is Yosi Amram?
Yosi Amram Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, a CEO leadership coach, and a best-selling author of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership. Formerly the founder and CEO of two companies he led through IPOs, Yosi now supports CEOs, entrepreneurs, and couples through deep psycho-spiritual growth. A pioneering researcher in spiritual intelligence, he holds degrees from MIT, Harvard, and Sofia University, and is the founder of several nonprofits including trueMASCULINITY.org, Engendering-Love.org, and AwakeningSI.org.
Connect with Yosi Amram:
Website: https://yosiamram.net
Non-Profit: https://awakeningsi.org
Book Site: http://spirituallyintelligentleadership.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@awakeningspiritualintelligence
Free SI Assessment: https://intelligensi.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosiamram
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakeningspiritualintelligence/
Psychology Today Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spiritual-intelligence
Host Contact Details:
Website: https://workathomerockstar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar
Email: tim@workathomerockstar.com
In this Episode:
00:00 — Introduction to Today’s Guest
00:27 — Yosi Amram's Story of Success
02:35 — Lessons from Failure and Business Setbacks
04:25 — Spiritual Awakening and Inner Work
06:53 — Transition into Coaching and Psychotherapy
14:07 — How He Built a Full Practice Through Word-of-Mouth
18:07 — The Role of Passion and Resilience in Business
18:47 — Leveraging Social Media Authentically
22:31 — Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Leadership
23:48 — Leadership, Integrity, and Influence
24:44 — Spirituality in Self-Employment
26:46 — Expressing Unique Authenticity
29:02 — Building Community and a Supportive Network
32:09 — The Power of Spiritual Intelligence in Work
36:03 — Intuition in Business Decision-Making
38:32 — Music, Spirituality, and Connection